Corkite

corkite

tarbuttite

descloizite

zincolivenite

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Formula: PbFe3+3(SO4)(PO4)(OH)6
Compound phosphate, beudantite group
Crystal System: Trigonal
Specific gravity: 4.295 measured, 4.31 calculated
Hardness: 3½ to 4½
Colour: Brown to light yellowish brown, pale yellow, yellowish green to dark green
Solubility: Readily soluble in warm hydrochloric acid
Environments:

Hydrothermal environments

Corkite is an uncommon secondary mineral formed at low temperatures or by weathering in oxidised hydrothermal base-metal deposits.

At the type locality, the Glandore Mine, Ireland, corkite is found in a manganese-copper vein deposit associated with manganese oxides, malachite, goethite, cuprite and baryte.

At Iron Crag, Roughton Gill, Caldbeck, Allerdale, Cumbria, England, UK, a small specimen has been found with microscopic yellow-brown vitreous crystals of corkite with goethite (AESS).

At the Kabwe mine, Central Province, Zambia, corkite is associated with tarbuttite, descloizite, pyromorphite, hemimorphite and zincolibethenite (R&M 94.2.124).

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