Devilline

Sulfate mineral
(repeating unit)CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6·3(H2O)IMA symbolDev[1]Strunz classification7.DD.30Crystal systemMonoclinicCrystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)Space groupP21/cUnit cella = 20.870, b = 6.135
c = 22.91 [Å], β = 102.73°
V = 2,861.23 Å3IdentificationColorGreen, blueish green; green in transmitted lightCrystal habitPrismatic, lamellar, platy pseudohexagonal crystalsTwinningOn {010}CleavagePerfect (001) distinct (110) and (101)TenacityBrittleMohs scale hardness2.5LusterVitreous, pearlyStreakLight greenDensityMeasured: 3.13 g/cm3 Calculated: 3.084 g/cm3Optical propertiesbiaxial negativeRefractive indexnα=1.585, nβ=1.649, nγ=1.660Birefringenceδ=0.075PleochroismVisible2V angle42°SolubilityInsoluble in water and concentrated H2SO4. Completely soluble in HNO3.References[2][3]

Devilline is a sulfate mineral with the chemical formula CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6·3H2O. The name originates from the French chemist's name, Henri Etienne Sainte-Claire Deville (1818–1881).

Devilline crystallizes in the monoclinic system.[4] Crystallographically, it contains three vectors of unequal lengths and two pairs of vectors are perpendicular while the other pair makes an angle other than 90°. Devilline is prismatic and belongs to the crystal class 2/m. This mineral belongs to the space group P 21/c. Devilline is an anisotropic mineral, meaning that the mineral has different properties in different directions. Optically, this mineral is biaxial negative, meaning that it contains two optic axes. Devilline has a moderate mineral relief. Mineral relief refers to the way a mineral appears to stand out when viewed under polarized light and it is dependent on the mineral's index of refraction.

Devilline is a rare and unusual secondary mineral found in the oxidized portions of copper sulfide ore deposits.[5] Because Devilline occurs in such oxidation zones, this mineral often is of post-mining origin. Devilline is found in mines all around the world.

Devilline group

Devilline group minerals are monoclinic sulfates.[6]

Mineral Chemical formulae Crystal system
Campigliaite Cu4Mn2+(SO4)2(OH)6·4H2O Monoclinic
Devilline CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6·3H2O Monoclinic
Kobyashevite Cu5(SO4)2(OH)6·4H2O Triclinic
Ktenasite Zn(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6·6H2O Monoclinic
Lautenthalite PbCu4(SO4)2(OH)6·3H2O Monoclinic
Serpierite Ca(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6·3H2O Monoclinic

References

  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. ^ "Devilline on Mindat".
  3. ^ "Devilline Mineral Data – Webmineral".
  4. ^ Back, M., and Mandrine, J. (2008) Fleischer's Glossary of Mineral Species 2008. 58 p. Mineralogical Record, Tuscan, Arizona
  5. ^ Anthony, John W.; Bideaux, Richard A.; Bladh, Kenneth W.; Nichols, Monte C. (2005). "Devilline" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineral Data Publishing. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  6. ^ Back, Malcolm E. (2014). Fleischer's Glossary of Mineral Species (11 ed.). Tucson AZ: Mineralogical Record Inc. p. 434.


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