Liroconite
A variety of Minerals
What is Liroconite?
Liroconite is a complex mineral: Hydrated copper aluminium arsenate hydroxide, with the formula Cu2Al[(OH)4|AsO4]·4(H2O). It is a vitreous monoclinic mineral, colored bright blue to green, often associated with malachite, azurite, olivenite, and clinoclase. It is quite soft, with a Mohs hardness of 2 - 2.5, and has a specific gravity of 2.9 - 3.0. It was first identified in 1825 in the tin and copper mines of Devon and Cornwall, England. Although it remains quite rare it has subsequently been identified in a variety of locations including France, Germany, Australia, New Jersey and California. The type locality for liroconite is Wheal Gorland in St Day, Cornwall in the United Kingdom. It occurs as a secondary mineral in copper deposits in association with olivenite, chalcophyllite, clinoclase, cornwallite, strashimirite, malachite, cuprite and limonite.
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Key Characteristics
Composition of Liroconite
Liroconite crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system. The crystal structure consists of a framework of AsO4 tetrahedra, Jahn-Teller-distorted [CuO2(OH)2(H2O)2] octahedra and [AlO2(OH)4] octahedra.
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Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Sky-blue to green; light blue to light bluish green in transmitted light.
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 2 - 2.5
- Density
- 2.97 g/cm³
- Streak
- Light blue
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Cu2Al(AsO4)(OH)4 · 4H2O
- Elements
- Al, As, Cu, H, O
Also Known As
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