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Formula: Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4
Anhydrous phosphate containing hydroxyl
Forms a series with cornwallite
Specific gravity: 4.35
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).
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).
At Girilambone mine, New South Wales, Australia, pseudomalachite is associated with
malachite and libethenite, and also
with azurite
(AJM 11.2.97-98).
At Northparkes, New South Wales, Australia, pseudomalachite is associated with
libethenite
(AJM 10.2.55).
At the Desolation prospect, Queensland, Australia, pseudomalachite is associated with
malachite and chrysocolla, and
sometimes with libethenite
(AJM 17.2.86).
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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