Images
Formula: Na2Cu(C2O4)2.2H2O
Hydrated oxalate
Crystal system: Triclinic
Specific gravity: 2.27 measured, 2.250 calculated
Hardness: 1 to 2
Streak: Light blue
Colour: Bright blue
Luminescence: No fluorescence observed under UV
Solubility: Soluble in water
Environments
Localities
At the type locality, the Wheatley Mines, Schuylkill Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA, the type specimen
of wheatleyite was discovered on the dumps of the now-abandoned mine. The host rock for the ore vein is, for
the most part, a biotite
gneiss. The Wheatley mine is in a vein-type
lead-zinc deposit.
Wheatleyite is known from only one hand specimen, which consists mostly of massive
galena and sphalerite in
contact with quartz. Both sulphides are tarnished a pale metallic violet
colour. On an exposed surface, this primary assemblage is
coated with secondary
cerussite, wheatleyite,
sphalerite and an ill-defined, powdery lead oxalate. Wheatleyite
forms single crystals and is clearly older than the
secondary
sphalerite that overlies it. These facts argue for its status as a
naturally formed phase rather than an artifact
(AM 71.1240-1242).
Wheatleyite from the Wheatley Mines -
Image
Back to Minerals