How do I identify Plancheite?

Plancheite can be identified by its hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, Blue color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Plancheite?

Plancheite typically appears in Blue, greenish blue. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Plancheite?

Plancheite has a hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.

Plancheite

A variety of Minerals

What is Plancheite?

Plancheite is a hydrated copper silicate mineral with the formula Cu8Si8O22(OH)4•(H2O). It is closely related to shattuckite in structure and appearance, and the two minerals are often confused.

Plancheite Market Value Calculator

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

Plancheite Localities Map

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

Map preview

North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Characteristics of Plancheite

Usually a pale turquoise-blue, with a pale blue streak and an adamantine to silky luster. It is quite hard, with hardness 5.5 to 6, close to that of feldspar, and specific gravity 3.6 to 3.8. Optically it is biaxial (+), with refractive indices between 1.64 and 1.74, and pleochroic.

Composition of Plancheite

Plancheite is a chain silicate (inosilicate), with double chains of silica tetrahedra parallel to the c crystal axis. It occurs as sprays of acicular or fibrous radial clusters, with fibers extended parallel to the chains, i.e. along the c crystal axis; it can also form tiny tabular or platy crystals. It is a member of the orthorhombic crystal class m m m (2/m 2/m 2/m), which is the most symmetrical class in the orthorhombic system.