Metazeunerite | |
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General | |
Category | Phosphate minerals |
Formula (repeating unit) | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2·8H2O |
IMA symbol | Mzeu[1] |
Strunz classification | 8.EB.10 |
Crystal system | Tetragonal |
Crystal class | Dipyramidal (4/m) (same H-M symbol) |
Space group | P4/n |
Unit cell | a = 7.1094 Å, c = 17.416 Å; Z = 2 |
Identification | |
Color | Varies from pale to green |
Crystal habit | Tabular rectangular crystals with two pinacoid faces; foliated or micaceous aggregates |
Twinning | Merohedrally twinned |
Cleavage | Perfect on {001}; distinct on {010} |
Fracture | Uneven |
Tenacity | Brittle |
Mohs scale hardness | 2–2.5 |
Luster | Vitreous to dull |
Streak | Pale green |
Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
Specific gravity | 3.87 |
Optical properties | Uniaxial (−) |
Refractive index | nw = 1.643–1.651 nε = 1.623–1.635 |
Birefringence | .020 |
Pleochroism | Weak |
Solubility | Soluble in acids |
Other characteristics | Radioactive, Relief: moderate |
References | [2][3][4] |
Metazeunerite is an arsenate mineral with a chemical formula of Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2·8H2O. The origin of this mineral is almost always from the natural dehydration process of zeunerite.[5]
It is named for civil engineer Gustav A. Zeuner, who worked at the School of Mines in Freiberg and its lowered hydration state.[4]