Metazeunerite
| Metazeunerite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Phosphate minerals |
| Formula | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2·8H2O |
| IMA symbol | Mzeu |
| Strunz classification | 8.EB.10 |
| Crystal system | Tetragonal |
| Crystal class | Dipyramidal (4/m) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P4/n |
| Unit cell | a = 7.1094 Å, c = 17.416 Å; Z = 2 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Varies from pale to green |
| Crystal habit | Tabular rectangular crystals with two pinacoid faces; foliated or micaceous aggregates |
| Twinning | Merohedrally twinned |
| Cleavage | Perfect on {001}; distinct on {010} |
| Fracture | Uneven |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2–2.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous to dull |
| Streak | Pale green |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.87 |
| Optical properties | Uniaxial (−) |
| Refractive index | nw = 1.643–1.651 nε = 1.623–1.635 |
| Birefringence | .020 |
| Pleochroism | Weak |
| Solubility | Soluble in acids |
| Other characteristics | Radioactive, Relief: moderate |
| References | |
Metazeunerite is an arsenate mineral with a chemical formula of Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2·8H2O. The origin of this mineral is almost always from the natural dehydration process of zeunerite.
It is named for civil engineer Gustav A. Zeuner, who worked at the School of Mines in Freiberg and its lowered hydration state.