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Formula: Ca19Cu2+(Al,Mg)12Si18O69(OH)9
Sorosilicate (Si2O7 groups), vesuvianite group
Crystal System: Tetragonal
Specific gravity: 3.40 measured, 3.41 calculated
Hardness: 6½
Streak: Usually white to pale tints of the body colour
Colour: Blue, bluish green, green, dark red with a lilac hue (type material)
Environments
Cyprine was approved as a new mineral species in 2015
Localities
At the type locality, the Wessels Mine, Joe Morolong Local Municipality, John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality,
Northern Cape, South Africa, cyprine was found in association with
calcite, apatite,
andradite, henritermierite
and rhodochrosite. The assemblage containing cyprine and
associated manganese- and calcium-bearing minerals was formed as a result of
hydrothermal activity.
Cyprine forms chaotic aggregates, up to 5cm across, of dark red prismatic crystals with a lilac hue up to 1 cm
long and up to 3 mm thick, striated along their length. They occur in open cavities or are embedded in coarse-grained
colourless calcite
(EJM 29.2.295-306).
Cyprine from the Wessels Mine - Image
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