Agardite-(Y)

agardite-(Y)

azurite

chrysocolla

cuprite

Images

Formula: YCu2+6(AsO4)3(OH)6.3H2O
Hydrated arsenate, mixite group, yttrium-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Hexagonal
Specific gravity: 3.61 to 3.72 measured, 3.66 calculated
Hardness: 3 to 4
Streak: Greenish white
Colour: Bluish green to yellow-green
Luminescence: Not fluorescent under UV
Environments

Hydrothermal environments

Agardite-(Y) occurs in the oxidation zone of some copper deposits. Common associates include azurite, chrysocolla, copper, cuprite, malachite, mimetite and quartz (Mindat).

Localities

At the Monte Cervandone area, Devero Alp, Baceno, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province, Piedmont, Italy, agardite-(Y) has been found as a green coating on cafarsite strongly resembling malachite. Other specimens found exhibit greenish to blue-greenish, radial-spherical aggregates of a few millimeters radius, composed of tiny acicular crystals of agardite-(Y). The agardite-(Y) is a weathering product of cafarsite (MinRec56.3.296).

At the type locality, the Bou Skour mine, Bou Skour mining district, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco, agardite-(Y) occurs in the oxidation zone of copper veins or deposits (Mindat).
Agardite-(Y) from the Bou Skour Mine - Image

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