Cuprorivaite

cuprorivaite

gillespite

papagoite

ajoite

Images

Formula: CaCuSi4O10
Phyllosilicate (sheet silicate), gillespite group
Crystal System: Tetragonal
Specific gravity: 3.08 measured, 3.09 calculated
Hardness: 5
Streak: Light blue
Colour: Blue
Common impurities: Al,Fe,Na,K,S
Environments

Volcanic igneous environments

Cuprorivaite is an extremely rare mineral.

Localities

At Nickenicher Sattel, Nickenich, Pellenz, Mayen-Koblenz District, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, cuprorivaite was found in a mudstone xenolith ejected from a scoria cone, associated with quartz (HOM).

At the type locality, Mount Vesuvius, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples, Campania, Italy, cuprorivaite occurs intimately mixed with quartz (HOM).

At Musina, Musina Local Municipality, Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa, cuprorivaite was found included in quartz. Papagoite and ajoite are other blue minerals that also occur included in quartz here, and may be mistaken for cuprorivaite.
All known specimens of cuprorivaite from the Musina mine originate from just one parent that was likely composed of only 1 to 2 grams of cuprorivaite (R&M 97.2.134-141).

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