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Cuprocopiapite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Cuprocopiapite
Formula:
Cu2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O
Colour:
Yellow-orange, greenish-yellow
Lustre:
Pearly
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.23
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
In allusion to the composition as the copper dominant (CUPRO) member of the COPIAPITE group.
A fairly rare member of the copiapite group.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1181
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1181:1
IMA Classification of Cuprocopiapite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu2+Fe3+4(S6+O4)6(OH)2·20H2O
Classification of Cuprocopiapite
7.DB.35
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations; insular octahedra and finite units
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations; insular octahedra and finite units
31.10.5.3
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : Miscellaneous
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : Miscellaneous
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Cucpi | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Cuprocopiapite
Pearly
Colour:
Yellow-orange, greenish-yellow
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {010}
Imperfect on {101}
Perfect on {010}
Imperfect on {101}
Density:
2.23 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.26 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Cuprocopiapite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.558 nβ = 1.575 nγ = 1.62
2V:
Calculated: 63°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.062
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
Strong r > v
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
Shades of green
Chemistry of Cuprocopiapite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Cuprocopiapite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.34 Å, b = 18.19 Å, c = 7.28 Å
α = 93.88°, β = 101.5°, γ = 99.38°
α = 93.88°, β = 101.5°, γ = 99.38°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.404 : 1 : 0.4
Unit Cell V:
934.68 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Fine-grained lumpy aggregates.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.56 Å | (100) |
| 8.81 Å | (80) |
| 5.82 Å | (50) |
| 6.32 Å | (40) |
| 3.08 Å | (40) |
| 3.90 Å | (30) |
| 3.76 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Quetena, Chile. ICDD 19-394.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] |
Geological Setting:
Mineral is formed by the reaction of copper sulfate solutions and copiapite in arid environments.
Type Occurrence of Cuprocopiapite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Boston Ma, USA 99048, 99060
Other Language Names for Cuprocopiapite
Relationship of Cuprocopiapite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Copiapite Group:
| Aluminocopiapite | Al2/3Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Calciocopiapite | CaFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Copiapite | Fe2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Ferricopiapite | Fe3+0.67Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Magnesiocopiapite | MgFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Zincocopiapite | ZnFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 18H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Cuprocopiapite associated with Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| 2 photos of Cuprocopiapite associated with Boothite | Cu2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 1 photo of Cuprocopiapite associated with Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 1 photo of Cuprocopiapite associated with Sideronatrite | Na2Fe(SO4)2(OH) · 3H2O |
| 1 photo of Cuprocopiapite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DB.05 | Svyazhinite | (Mg,Mn2+,Ca)(Al,Fe3+)(SO4)2F · 14H2O |
| 7.DB.05 | Aubertite | CuAl(SO4)2Cl · 14H2O |
| 7.DB.05 | Magnesioaubertite | (Mg,Cu)Al(SO4)2Cl · 14H2O |
| 7.DB.10 | Rostite | Al(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.10 | Khademite | Al(SO4)F · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.15 | Jurbanite | Al(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.20 | Minasragrite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.20 | Anorthominasragrite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.20 | Orthominasragrite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.25 | Bobjonesite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 3H2O |
| 7.DB.27 | Karpovite | Tl2VO(SO4)2(H2O) |
| 7.DB.30 | Metahohmannite | Fe3+2(SO4)2O · 4H2O |
| 7.DB.30 | Hohmannite | Fe3+2(SO4)2O · 8H2O |
| 7.DB.30 | Amarantite | Fe3+2(SO4)2O · 7H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Calciocopiapite | CaFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Zincocopiapite | ZnFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 18H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Aluminocopiapite | Al2/3Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Copiapite | Fe2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Magnesiocopiapite | MgFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Ferricopiapite | Fe3+0.67Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in water.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Cuprocopiapite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1181.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Cuprocopiapite
Localities for Cuprocopiapite
Showing 16 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Perelló et al. (2023) |
Australia | |
| Jim Sharpe |
| |
Chile | |
| Elmar Lackner Collection |
| Kampf +4 other references | |
| samples analysed by Gerhard Mohn and ... | |
| Bandy (1938) +2 other references |
China | |
| Yingxia Xu et al. (2007) |
Greece | |
| Wendel (2000) |
Myanmar | |
| Dill et al. (2013) |
Portugal | |
| Marques de Sá et al. (2010) |
USA | |
| Grant et al. (2005) |
| |
| Pemberton (1983) +1 other reference |
| Smith (2016) |
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Medicine Mounds - E-I, Hardeman County, Texas, USA