Cyanotrichite
| Cyanotrichite | |
|---|---|
Radiating sprays of cyanotrichite needles on matrix from the old Grand Canyon Mine now within Grand Canyon National Park (size: 3.8 × 3.7 × 1.2 cm) | |
| General | |
| Category | Sulfate minerals |
| Formula | Cu4Al2[(OH)12|SO4]·2H2O |
| IMA symbol | Cya |
| Strunz classification | 7.DE.10 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | C2/m |
| Unit cell | a = 10.16 Å, b = 12.61 Å, c = 2.9 Å; Z = 1 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Sky-blue, azure-blue |
| Crystal habit | Acicular crystals and fibrous aggregates; incrustations |
| Fracture | Uneven |
| Mohs scale hardness | 1–3 |
| Luster | Silky |
| Streak | Light blue |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.76 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (+) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.588 nβ = 1.617 nγ = 1.655 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.067 |
| Pleochroism | X = colorless; Y = pale blue; Z = bright blue |
| 2V angle | Measured: 82° |
| References | |
| Major varieties | |
| Polianite | pseudomorphic after manganite |
Cyanotrichite is a hydrous copper aluminium sulfate mineral with formula Cu4Al2[(OH)12|SO4]·2H2O, also known as lettsomite. Cyanotrichite forms velvety radial acicular crystal aggregates of extremely fine fibers. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and forms translucent bright blue acicular crystal clusters or drusey coatings. The Mohs hardness is 2 and the specific gravity ranges from 2.74 to 2.95. Refractive indices are nα = 1.588 nβ = 1.617 nγ = 1.655.