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Formula: Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4
Anhydrous phosphate
Forms a series with cornwallite
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 3.6 to 4.34 measured, 3.95 calculated
Hardness: 4½ to 5
Streak: Blue-green
Colour: Blue-green, green, dark green, green-black; green to bluish green in transmitted light.
Solubility: Soluble in acids
Environments:
Pseudomalachite is a secondary mineral found in the oxidised zone
of hydrothermal copper ore deposits, associated with
libethenite, malachite,
cornetite, chrysocolla,
tenorite,
pyromorphite and chalcedony
(Dana, Mindat, HOM).
Localities
At Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia, pseudomalachite has been found as coatings on
garnet sandstone, associated
with libethenite and azurite
(AJM 3.1.50).
Pseudomalachite from Broken Hill - Image
At Girilambone mine, New South Wales, Australia, pseudomalachite is associated with
malachite and libethenite, and also
with azurite
(AJM 11.2.97-98).
Pseudomalachite from Girilambone - Image
At Northparkes, New South Wales, Australia, pseudomalachite is associated with
libethenite
(AJM 10.2.55).
Pseudomalachite from Northparkes - Image
At the Desolation prospect, Queensland, Australia, pseudomalachite is associated with
malachite and chrysocolla, and
sometimes with libethenite
(AJM 17.2.86).
At the Saddleback Old Mine, Mungrisdale, Eden, Cumbria, England, UK, pseudomalachite has been found as
crystalline druse and skins of dark green colour on gossan stained quartz matrix
(AESS).
Pseudomalachite from the Saddleback Old Mine -
Image
At the Chino mine, New Mexico, USA, pseudomalachite is restricted to the oxidised portion of the orebody and is
associated with chrysocolla, apatite, and
libethenite
(R&M 84.6.498).
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