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Formula: Cu2(NO3)(OH)3
Nitrate, paramorph of
gerhardtite
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 3.38 measured, 3.39 calculated
Streak: Clear green
Colour: Dark emerald-green
Luminescence: Not fluorescent under UV
Solubility: Soluble in hydrochloric acid and insoluble in water
Environments
Rouaite is an uncommon secondary
copper nitrate. At ambient temperatures, it is metastable by comparison to
its paramorph gerhardtite,
but the transformation from rouaite to gerhardtite is strongly
inhibited
(Mindat).
Localities
At the type locality, the Roua Mines, Daluis, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France,
rouaite occurs within geodes of cuprite. Other associated minerals
are native copper and silver,
algodonite, domeykite,
connellite, olivenite,
malachite,
theoparacelsite and
gerhardtite. The source of nitrate may be guano or organic material in
host-rock pelites
(AM 87.998).
Rouaite from the Roua Mines - Image
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