Lavendulan
A variety of Lavendulan Group
What is Lavendulan?
Lavendulan is an uncommon mineral known for its electric blue translucent color. It is a secondary mineral sometimes found in copper-arsenic deposits. Lavendulan may be mistaken for mahnertite or slavkovite superficially. It also belongs to the Lavendulan group, which contains sampleite and zdenekite as well.
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Lavendulan before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Lavendulan Localities Map
See where Lavendulan is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
Key Characteristics
Characteristics of Lavendulan
Lavendulan is a blue or greenish blue translucent mineral, with a vitreous to waxy luster, satiny in aggregates, and a light blue streak. It occurs as thin botryoidal crusts of minute radiating fibers or as thin rectangular, pseudo-orthorhombic plates, with cleavage in three directions, nearly perfect perpendicular to the b crystal axis, and distinct perpendicular to the a and c axes. Twinning is common. The mineral is brittle, with an uneven fracture. It is quite soft, with hardness 2.5, between gypsum and calcite, and relatively dense; its specific gravity is 3.84, close to that of topaz, and much denser than quartz (specific gravity 2.5 to 2.7). It is easily soluble in hydrochloric acid.
Formation of Lavendulan
At the type locality, lavendulan occurs associated with erythrite and a cobalt molybdate originally called pateraite, but now discredited. At San Juan, Chile, it is associated with erythrite, cuprite, malachite and cobaltian wad. At the Cap Garonne Mine, Pradet, Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, associated minerals are chalcophyllite, cyanotrichite, parnauite, mansfieldite, olivenite, tennantite, covellite, chalcanthite, antlerite, brochantite and geminite. It also occurs at Tsumeb, Namibia, associated with cuprian adamite, conichalcite, o’danielite, tsumcorite, fahleite, quartz, calcite and gypsum.
Health & Safety Information
- ⚠️Lavendulan dust is toxic because it contains heavy metals Arsenic, Copper.
- ⚠️Arsenic, Copper
- ⚠️It's advisable to handle lavendulan carefully to avoid generating dust and wash hands thoroughly afterward. When cutting or polishing lavendulan, wear a dust mask to prevent inhaling heavy metal particles. Store lavendulan in a sealed container in a well-ventilated area, away from children and pets. For those involved in crystal healing, never put it in your mouth.
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Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Turquoise-blue, greenish blue, pale blue
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 2.5
- Density
- 3.597 g/cm³
- Streak
- Light blue
- Luster
- Vitreous, Waxy
- Crystal System
- Monoclinic
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- NaCaCu5(AsO4)4Cl · 5H2O
- Elements
- As, Ca, Cl, Cu, H, Na, O
Also Known As
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Lavendulan FAQs
How do I identify Lavendulan?
Lavendulan can be identified by its hardness of 2.5 on the Mohs scale, Turquoise-blue color, Vitreous, Waxy luster, Monoclinic crystal system. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Lavendulan?
Lavendulan typically appears in Turquoise-blue, greenish blue, pale blue. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Lavendulan?
Lavendulan has a hardness of 2.5 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a soft mineral that can be scratched easily.
What is the characteristics of lavendulan of Lavendulan?
Lavendulan is a blue or greenish blue translucent mineral, with a vitreous to waxy luster, satiny in aggregates, and a light blue streak. It occurs as thin botryoidal crusts of minute radiating fibers or as thin rectangular, pseudo-orthorhombic plates, with cleavage in three directions, nearly perfect perpendicular to the b crystal axis, and distinct perpendicular to the a and c axes. Twinning is common. The mineral is brittle, with an uneven fracture. It is quite soft, with hardness 2.5, between gypsum and calcite, and relatively dense; its specific gravity is 3.84, close to that of topaz, and much denser than quartz (specific gravity 2.5 to 2.7). It is easily soluble in hydrochloric acid.
What is the formation of lavendulan of Lavendulan?
At the type locality, lavendulan occurs associated with erythrite and a cobalt molybdate originally called pateraite, but now discredited. At San Juan, Chile, it is associated with erythrite, cuprite, malachite and cobaltian wad. At the Cap Garonne Mine, Pradet, Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, associated minerals are chalcophyllite, cyanotrichite, parnauite, mansfieldite, olivenite, tennantite, covellite, chalcanthite, antlerite, brochantite and geminite. It also occurs at Tsumeb, Namibia, associated with cuprian adamite, conichalcite, o’danielite, tsumcorite, fahleite, quartz, calcite and gypsum.