Duftite

Duftite
Duftite from Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
General
CategoryArsenate minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
PbCuAsO4(OH)
IMA symbolDft[1]
Strunz classification8.BH.35
Dana classification41.5.1.4
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classDisphenoidal (222)
H-M symbol: (2 2 2)
Space groupP212121
Unit cella = 7.768(1), b = 9.211(1)
c = 5.999(1) [Å]; Z = 4
Identification
Formula mass426.67 g/mol
ColorGreen, olive green or grey green. Generally zoned due to compositional variations.
Crystal habitTiny crystals elongated along [001] with curved and rough faces, aggregated into crusts. Crystals may be pseudo-octahedral.
CleavageIndistinct
FractureUneven to conchoidal
Mohs scale hardness4.5
LusterVitreous on fracture surfaces and dull on crystal faces
StreakPale green or white
DiaphaneityCrystals are transparent to translucent
Specific gravity6.4 (measured), 6.60 (calculated)
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-), faint apple-green color (transmitted light)
Refractive indexnα = 2.03–2.04, nβ = 2.06–2.08, nγ = 2.08–2.10
Birefringenceδ = 0.06
2V angleLarge
Dispersionr > v, perceptible
SolubilityReadily soluble in acids[2]
Other characteristicsDecrepitates on heating. Not radioactive.
References[3][4][5]

Duftite is a relatively common arsenate mineral with the formula CuPb(AsO4)(OH), related to conichalcite. It is green and often forms botryoidal aggregates. It is a member of the adelite-descloizite Group, Conichalcite-Duftite Series. Duftite and conichalcite specimens from Tsumeb are commonly zoned in color and composition. Microprobe analyses and X-ray powder-diffraction studies indicate extensive substitution of Zn for Cu, and Ca for Pb in the duftite structure. This indicates a solid solution among conichalcite, CaCu(AsO4 )(OH), austinite, CaZn(AsO4)(OH) and duftite PbCu(AsO4)(OH), all of them belonging to the adelite group of arsenates.[6] It was named after Mining Councilor G Duft, Director of the Otavi Mine and Railroad Company, Tsumeb, Namibia.[2] The type locality is the Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia.

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ a b Wherry ET, Foshag WF (1921). "New mineral names" (PDF). American Mineralogist. 6: 140–141.
  3. ^ Duftite. Webmineral.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-10.
  4. ^ Duftite. Mindat.org
  5. ^ Duftite. (PDF) Handbook of Mineralogy
  6. ^ Jambor, J L, Owens, D R and Dutrizac, J E (1980). "Solid solution in the adelite group of arsenates" (PDF). Canadian Mineralogist. 18: 191–195.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)