Clinochalcomenite
A valid IMA mineral species - pending publication
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About Clinochalcomenite
Formula:
CuSeO3(H2O)2
Colour:
bluish green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For relation to chalcomenite.
Co-Type Localities:
Dimorph of:
Originally reported from Gansu (Ganzu) Province, China.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1068
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1068:5
IMA Classification of Clinochalcomenite
Approved, Pending publication
IMA Formula:
Cu2+Se4+O3(H2O)2
Approval year:
2025
Approval history:
Published without approval
Classification of Clinochalcomenite
4.JH.10
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
H : Selenites without additional anions, with H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
H : Selenites without additional anions, with H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
34.2.3.1
34.2.3.1
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
2 : A(XO3)·xH2O
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
2 : A(XO3)·xH2O
28.1.2
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
1 : Selenites
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
1 : Selenites
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Cccm | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Clinochalcomenite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Bluish green
Streak:
Pale green
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Optical Data of Clinochalcomenite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.675 nβ = 1.723 nγ = 1.765
2V:
Measured: 78° , Calculated: 82°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.090
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r > v distinct
Chemistry of Clinochalcomenite
Mindat Formula:
CuSeO3(H2O)2
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Clinochalcomenite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.2736(3) Å, b = 8.5930(4) Å, c = 8.1633(4) Å
β = 97.267(2)°
β = 97.267(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.73 : 1 : 0.95
Unit Cell V:
436.54 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
space group p21/n
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.918 Å | (100) |
| 4.105 Å | (28) |
| 3.814 Å | (22) |
| 3.676 Å | (48) |
| 2.926 Å | (27) |
| 2.584 Å | (75) |
| 2.376 Å | (22) |
| 1.564 Å | (32) |
Type Occurrence of Clinochalcomenite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
spherical crystalline aggregates up to 1 mm in size
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Geological Museum of China, No. 16, Yangrou Hutong, Xisi, Beijing 100031, People’s Republic of China, catalogue number GMCTM2025006 (holotype), the Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom, catalogue number BM 2016,60 (cotype 1), and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, catalogue number 76454 (cotype 2)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
product of (sub)recent supergene alteration of primary Cu selenides in calcite gangue in environment of mine dump material.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Clinochalcomenite
Other Language Names for Clinochalcomenite
Dutch:Clinochalcomeniet
German:Klinochalkomenit
Simplified Chinese:单斜蓝硒铜矿
Spanish:Clinochalcomenita
Traditional Chinese:單斜藍硒銅礦
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 18 photos of Clinochalcomenite associated with Chalcomenite | CuSeO3 · 2H2O |
| 5 photos of Clinochalcomenite associated with Umangite | Cu3Se2 |
| 2 photos of Clinochalcomenite associated with Olsacherite | Pb2(Se6+O4)(SO4) |
| 2 photos of Clinochalcomenite associated with Clausthalite | PbSe |
| 2 photos of Clinochalcomenite associated with Tyrrellite | Cu(Co,Ni)2Se4 |
| 2 photos of Clinochalcomenite associated with Penroseite | (Ni,Co,Cu)Se2 |
| 1 photo of Clinochalcomenite associated with Ahlfeldite | Ni(SeO3) · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Clinochalcomenite associated with Kristekite | Cu2(H2O)4(UO2)(SeO3)3 · 4H2O |
| 1 photo of Clinochalcomenite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 1 photo of Clinochalcomenite associated with Alfredopetrovite | Al2(Se4+O3)3 · 6H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JH. | Magselite | [Mg(H2O)6](Se4+O3) |
| 4.JH. | Bernardevansite | Al2(SeO3)3 · 6H2O |
| 4.JH.05 | Chalcomenite | CuSeO3 · 2H2O |
| 4.JH.10 | Ahlfeldite | Ni(SeO3) · 2H2O |
| 4.JH.10 | Cobaltomenite | CoSeO3 · 2H2O |
| 4.JH.15 | Mandarinoite | Fe3+2(Se4+O3)3 · (6-x)H2O (x = 0.0-1.0) |
| 4.JH.20 | Orlandiite | Pb3(SeO3)(Cl,OH)4 · H2O |
| 4.JH.30 | Nestolaite | CaSeO3 · H2O |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Clinochalcomenite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1068.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Clinochalcomenite
Reference List:
Frost, Ray L., Keeffe, Eloise C. (2008) Raman spectroscopic study of the selenite minerals - chalcomenite CuSeO3·2H2O, clinochalcomenite and cobaltomenite. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 39 (12). 1789-1793 doi:10.1002/jrs.2036
Localities for Clinochalcomenite
Showing 16 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Bolivia | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| King (n.d.) |
China | |
| Luo Keding et al. (1980) | |
| Fan et al. (2025) |
Czech Republic | |
| Sejkora et al. (2025) |
| Sejkora et al. (2025) +1 other reference | |
DR Congo | |
| Wilson (2018) |
France | |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
Germany | |
| Witzke et al. (1998) |
Italy | |
| Elmar Lakner |
Spain | |
| Sainz de Baranda Graf (2025) |
USA (TL) | |
| Fan et al. (2025) |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... | |
| Self collected by Brent Thorne and EDS ... +1 other reference |
| Patrick Haynes |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... |
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Burro Mine, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA