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Formula: CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6.3H2O
Hydrated sulphate containing hydroxyl, devilline group, orthorhombic
paramorph of monoclinic
serpierite
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 3.00 measured, 3.07 calculated
Streak: Light green
Colour: Pale blue-green
Luminescence: Fluorescent mauve in long wave and short wave UV (Dana)
Environments
Localities
At the type locality, the Chessy copper mines, Chessy, Villefranche-sur-Saône, Rhône, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France,
orthoserpierite occurs as a rare secondary mineral
formed in the dump from a hydrothermal copper mine, associated with
devilline, gypsum and
calcite
(AM 72.1026, HOM).
At the Childs-Adwinkle mine, Copper Creek, Bunker Hill District, Pinal County, Arizona, USA, orthoserpierite
has been precipitated from vadose waters transecting the oxidised zone of the hydrothermal
copper deposit. It was found growing on and under rocks at the mouth of
the main haulage tunnel as beautiful blue-green, thin tabular crystals, less than 1 mm in length. Associated
minerals include chrysocolla and
malachite
(HOM, R&M 96.2.155).
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