Images
Formula:
Cu18Al2(AsO4)4(SO4)3(OH)24.36H2O
Compound arsenate, water content varies at room temperature based on the
relative humidity. Copper-bearing mineral
(Mindat)
Crystal System: Trigonal
Specific gravity: 2.67 to 2.69 measured, 2.684 calculated
Hardness: 2
Streak: Pale green
Colour: Blue-green to emerald green
Solubility: Soluble in acids and in ammonia.
Environments:
Hydrothermal environments
Basaltic cavities
Chalcophyllite is an uncommon secondary supergene
copper mineral occurring in
the oxidised zones of some arsenic-bearing
hydrothermal polymetallic deposits
(Mindat, HOM).
Associates include azurite, malachite,
brochantite, chrysocolla,
spangolite, connellite,
cuprite,
cyanotrichite, strashimirite,
parnauite, lavendulan,
cornubite, langite,
clinoclase, pharmacosiderite,
and mansfieldite
(HOM).
Localities
At the Silberberg mining district, Austria, chalcophyllite occurs with
tyrolite,
azurite and brochantite
(R&M 84.5.434-439).
At the El Teniente mine, Cachapoal Province, Chile, chalcophyllite has been found, often on partially corroded
tennantite, associated with
cornubite, connellite,
goethite, gypsum,
olivenite and tenorite
(R&M 84.5.434-439).
At the St Jean mine, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France, chalcophyllite can be found on iron
oxide–quartz matrix, occasionally associated with
chrysocolla and mixite
(R&M 84.5.434-439).
In the gold mines of the Salsigne district, Occitanie, France, chalcophyllite occurs in the oxide zone with other
arsenates such as scorodite
(R&M 84.5.434-439).
At the Gambatesa mine, Liguria, Italy, chalcophyllite has been reported from secondary
copper assemblages on altered tennantite
(R&M 84.5.434-439).
At the Scrava mine, Val Graveglia manganese district, Liguria, Italy, chalcophyllite is found
associated with clinoclase, cornubite,
cornwallite, lavendulan,
olivenite, and
tyrolite
(R&M 84.5.434-439).
At the Aghbar mine, Bou Azzer district, Ouarzazate Province, Morocco, chalcophyllite has been reported on pink
dolomite
(R&M 84.5.434-439, MinRec 38.5.366).
At Wheal Gorland, St Day, Cornwall, England, chalcophyllite occurs in the oxide zone lining cavities with
chrysocolla, cuprite,
and malachite. A specimen has also been found where chalcophyllite
partially replaces liroconite
(R&M 84.5.434-439).
At Wheal Unity, St Day, Cornwall, England, chalcophyllite has been collected, some partially replaced by
chrysocolla
(R&M 84.5.434-439).
At Pemberthy Croft mine, St Hilary, Cornwall, England, UK, chalcophyllite occurs associated with
arsenopyrite, chalcocite,
chrysocolla, pharmacosiderite
and scorodite
(R&M 84.5.434-439).
At Wheal Cock, St Just, Cornwall, England, UK, chalcophyllite occurs on samples of
quartz and iron oxide veins in the mine dump,
associated with cornwallite and other arsenates
(R&M 84.5.434-439).
At New Cliffe Hill quarry, Stanton under Bardon, Leicestershire, England, UK, chalcophyllite occurs
with azurite (R&M 84.5.434-439) and chrysocolla
(RES p196).
At a test mine near Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Wales, UK, chalcophyllite occurs associated with
devilline, malachite, and
tyrolite
(R&M 84.5.434-439).
At Dyfngwm mine, Machynlleth, Powys, Wales, UK, chalcophyllite occurs associated with
brochantite, langite
and linarite
(R&M 84.5.434-439).
Chalcophyllite occurs at Bisbee, Cochise County, Arizona, USA associated with cuprite,
copper, connellite, and
iron oxides,
(R&M 84.5.434-439)
and it is also found rarely in association with cuprite nodules
(MinRec 43.1 supplement).
Chalcophyllite occurs as crystals in basaltic cavities in
the Turtle Mountain area of Graham County, Arizona, USA.
(R&M 84.5.434-439)
At the Majuba mine, Antelope district, Pershing County, Nevada, USA, chalcophyllite occurs in secondary
copper-rich
cavities in silicified rhyolite associated with azurite,
brochantite, cornwallite,
connellite,
cuprite and spangolite
(R&M 84.5.434-439).
At the Peavine district, Washoe County, Nevada, USA, chalcophyllite occurs with
tyrolite on a quartz and
phyllite host rock
(R&M 84.5.434-439).
At the Pyramid district, Washoe County, Nevada, USA, chalcophyllite occurs with
pharmacosiderite,
tyrolite, and other arsenates
(R&M 84.5.434-439).
At the Ajax mine and the Mammoth mine, Tintic district, Juab County, Utah, USA, chalcophyllite occurs in the oxide zone
of massive sulphide deposits associated with brochantite,
cornwallite, strashimirite,
malachite, and chrysocolla.
(R&M 84.5.434-439)
Alteration
Chalcophyllite alters to chrysocolla
(Mindat).
Back to Minerals