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Formula: Cu2V5+2O7
Anhydrous normal vanadate,
paramorph of blossite
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 3.86measured, 3.87 calculated
Streak: Red-brown
Colour: Black
Luminescence: Non-fluorescent
Environments
Ziesite occurs in fumeroles, and is stable above 712oC.
Localities
The type locality, the Izalco Volcano, Sonsonate Department, El Salvador, is a
basaltic composite cone which has been active intermittently since its
birth in 1270. Copper and vanadium
are distinctive elements in the minerals of the fumarolic suite, that includes
chalcocyanite,
chalcanthite, shcherbinaite
and stoiberite.
Ziesite occurs as equant black anhedral crystals less than 200 microns in size, as an incrustation coating
basaltic breccia fragments
about 1 m below the surface. Associated minerals include stoiberite,
shcherbinaite,
bannermanite, fingerite,
mcbirneyite, blossite,
chalcocyanite and
chalcanthite
(AM 65.1146-1149, HOM).
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