Chalcanthite | |
Chemical Formula |
CuSO4·5H2O |
Species |
Sulfates |
Crystal System |
Triclinic |
Mohs Scale |
2 |
Specific Gravity |
2.12-2.3 |
Color |
Berlin blue to sky-blue, greenish blue |
Streak |
White |
Luster |
Vitreous, Resinous |
Refractive Index |
n = 1.514 n = 1.537 n = 1.543 |
Diaphaneity |
Transparent, Translucent |
Cleavage |
Imperfect/FairImperfect on , Indistinct on ; and, in traces. |
Fracture |
Conchoidal |
Crystal Habit:Typically stalactitic, encrusted, reniform or massive. Natural crystals are rare, but are short prismatic or tabular | |
Geological Setting:Found in the oxidized zones of copper deposits, usually in arid regions where it is not dissolved by ground water. Commonly associated with other hydrated sulphates of Cu or Fe. |