How do I identify Blossite?

Blossite can be identified by its Black color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Blossite?

Blossite typically appears in Black. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

Blossite

A variety of Minerals

What is Blossite?

Blossite is an anhydrous copper vanadate mineral with the formula: Cu2V2O7. Blossite was named for mineralogist F. Donald Bloss of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Blossite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Blossite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Blossite Localities Map

See where Blossite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

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North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Characteristics of Blossite

Blossite occurs as black anhedral crystals, with dimensions not exceeding 150 um. Crystals of blossite have only been isolated with other fumarolic copper vanadates or sulfates. Blossite demonstrates a red-brown streak, prevalent to the natural copper present, this red-brown coloring is also a prevalent in the internal reflections. No cleavage is observed in blossite, but the size of the natural mineral grains of polycrystalline prohibit the identification of cleavage. In ultraviolet radiation blossite does not fluoresce, it demonstrates a white color when blue-filtered white light in air is present, and is opaque to transmitted light. The density of natural occurring blossite is 4.051 g/cm.

Composition of Blossite

The chemical formula of blossite is, Cu2V2O7. Robison et al. conducted quantitative analyses using an ETEC Autoscan microprobe operating at 20kv on a polished sample of blossite-fingerite intergrowth, the results of the oxide weight percentage. Chemical analysis V2O5 53.28%, CuO 46.49% :Total 99.77%; Ideal chemical formula:V2O5 53.34%, CuO 46.66%:Total 100%. Blossite is the only stable phase of the Cu2V5O7 compounds at ambient conditions. The structure A2B2X7, is mostly associated with B= P and V, the B2O7 groups orient and fluctuate size based on the electronic structure of the A cation. Blossite’s atomic structure is formed when three Cu-O bonds are broken during the phase change. The phase transition is of the non-nearest-neighbor reconstructive type, relative high activation energy is required for the phase change. Blossite is also formed when the fumarole temperatures are lower than inversion temperatures of 710 °C (1,310 °F).