Favreauite

favreauite

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Formula: PbBiCu6O4(SeO3)4(OH).H2O
Selenite, bismuth-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Tetragonal
Specific gravity: 4.851 calculated
Hardness: 3
Colour: Green
Common impurities: Ca
Environments

Sedimentary environments
Hydrothermal environments

Favreauite is a relatively new mineral, approved in 2014 and to date (May 2023) reported only from the type locality. It is a secondary mineral formed by the oxidation of a selenide-bearing hydrothermal vein hosted by sandstones and shales (HOM).

Localities

At the type locality, El Dragón mine, Porco Municipality, Antonio Quijarro Province, Potosí, Bolivia, favreauite is a secondary selenite mineral that occurs in vughs in a matrix of cobalt- and copper- rich penroseite, dolomite and goethite. Associated minerals include ahlfeldite, allophane, alfredopetrovite, calcite, chalcomenite, malachite and molybdomenite.
Favreauite forms tiny green square tabular crystals, up to 0.1 mm on edge and 0.01 mm thick, occurring in subparallel and divergent groups (EJM 26.771-781, HOM).

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