Cornubite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Cornubite
Flag of Cornwall, England
Formula:
Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4
Colour:
Apple green, light to dark green
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Greasy
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
4.64
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named in 1959 by Gordon Frank Claringbull, Max H. Hey and Arthur Russell for Cornubia, the medieval Latin name for Cornwall.
Dimorph of:
The triclinic dimorph of Cornwallite.
May be confused with malachite, conichalcite and other green secondary copper minerals forming globular aggregates.
There are weak hydrogen bonds in the structure. Raman polarizability is dependent on the orientation of arsenate tetrahedra, changing most along the Y axis (Janeczek et al., 2016).
May be confused with malachite, conichalcite and other green secondary copper minerals forming globular aggregates.
There are weak hydrogen bonds in the structure. Raman polarizability is dependent on the orientation of arsenate tetrahedra, changing most along the Y axis (Janeczek et al., 2016).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1132
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1132:3
Similar Names
| Cornuite (of Rogers) | A variety of Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O |
IMA Classification of Cornubite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+5(As5+O4)2(OH)4
First published:
1959
Classification of Cornubite
8.BD.30
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
41.4.2.1
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq
20.1.5
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
1 : Arsenates of Cu
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
1 : Arsenates of Cu
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cnb | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Cornubite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Cornubite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Rarely bright in luster
Colour:
Apple green, light to dark green
Streak:
Pale green
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Two perpendicular to {211}, intersecting about 70°.
Two perpendicular to {211}, intersecting about 70°.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
4.64 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.85 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured density on fibrous material.
Optical Data of Cornubite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.87 nγ = 1.90
Birefringence:
0.03
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.030
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (89°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (89°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
r > v
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
2V very large, beta N.D.
Chemistry of Cornubite
Mindat Formula:
Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Cornubite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.121(1) Å, b = 6.251(1) Å, c = 6.790 Å
α = 92.93(1)°, β = 111.30°, γ = 107.47(1)°
α = 92.93(1)°, β = 111.30°, γ = 107.47(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.979 : 1 : 1.086
Unit Cell V:
227.11 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Rarely in crystals in tabular aggregates, usually botyroidal, also globular porcelaneous masses, fibrous.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012147 | Cornubite | Tillmanns E, Hofmeister W, Petitjean K (1985) Cornubite, Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4, first occurence of single crystals, mineralogical description and crystal structure Bulletin of the Geological Society of Finland 57 119-127 | 1985 | Reichenbach, Odenwald near Bensheim, Hessen, West Germany | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012652 | Cornubite | Sieber N H W, Hofmeister W, Tillmanns E, Abraham K (1984) Neue mineraldaten fur kupferphosphate und -arsenate von Reichenbach/Odw Fortschritte der Mineralogie 62 231-232 | 1984 | Reichenbach, Germany | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.72 Å | (100) |
| 3.49 Å | (80) |
| 2.868 Å | (70) |
| 2.688 Å | (90) |
| 2.562 Å | (100) |
| 2.489 Å | (100) |
| 2.303 Å | (70) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Geological Setting:
Oxidation zone of copper deposits.
Type Occurrence of Cornubite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Apple-green patches of fibrous botryoids.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, London 1964R, 8650.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Copper-Tin-Silver bearing hydrothermal veins.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Cornubite
Other Language Names for Cornubite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 72 photos of Cornubite associated with Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 55 photos of Cornubite associated with Cornwallite | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 50 photos of Cornubite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 37 photos of Cornubite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 30 photos of Cornubite associated with Clinoclase | Cu3(AsO4)(OH)3 |
| 16 photos of Cornubite associated with Chalcophyllite | Cu18Al2(AsO4)4(SO4)3(OH)24 · 36H2O |
| 14 photos of Cornubite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 13 photos of Cornubite associated with Parnauite | Cu9(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)10 · 7H2O |
| 13 photos of Cornubite associated with Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 12 photos of Cornubite associated with Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BD. | Antipovite | Cu5O2(PO4)2 |
| 8.BD.05 | Reichenbachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.05 | Cornwallite | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.05 | Pseudomalachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.10 | Gatehouseite | Mn2+5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.10 | Arsenoclasite | Mn2+5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.15 | Parwelite | Mn10Sb2As2Si2O24 |
| 8.BD.20 | Reppiaite | Mn2+5(VO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.25 | Ludjibaite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
Fluorescence of Cornubite
Not Fluorescent
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 Cornubite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1132.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Cornubite
Reference List:
Claringbull, G. F., Hey, M. H., Davis, R. J. (1959) Cornubite, a new mineral dimorphous with cornwallite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 32 (244) 1-5 doi:10.1180/minmag.1959.032.244.01
Claringbull, G. F., Hey, M. H., Davis, R. J. (1959) Cornubite, a new mineral dimorphous with cornwallite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 32 (244) 1-5 doi:10.1180/minmag.1959.032.244.01
Laurent, Yvette, Pierrot, Roland (1961) Sur la présence de cornubite au cap Garonne (Var) Bulletin de Minéralogie, 84 (3) 318-319 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1961.5496
(1962) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 33 (258) 260-263 doi:10.1180/minmag.1962.033.258.09
Tillmanns, E., Hofmeister, W., Petitjean, K. (1985) Cornubite, Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4, first occurrence of single crystals, mineralogical description and crystal structure. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Finland, 57 (1). 119-127 doi:10.17741/bgsf/57.1-2.009
Dunn, Pete J., Ferraiolo, James A., Fleischer, Michael, Gobel, Volker, Grice, Joel D., Langley, Richard H., Shigley, James E., Vanko, David A., Zilczer, Janet A. (1985) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 70 (11-12) 1329-1335 p.1333
Frost, Ray L., Martens, Wayde N., Williams, Peter A. (2002) Raman spectroscopy of the phase-related basic copper arsenate minerals olivenite, cornwallite, cornubite and clinoclase. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 33 (6). 475-484 doi:10.1002/jrs.880
Martens, Wayde N., Frost, Ray L., Kloprogge, J. Theo, Williams, Peter A. (2003) The basic copper arsenate minerals olivenite, cornubite, cornwallite, and clinoclase: An infrared emission and Raman spectroscopic study. American Mineralogist, 88 (4) 501-508 doi:10.2138/am-2003-0404
Janeczek, Janusz, Ciesielczuk, Justyna, Dulski, Mateusz, Krzykawski, Tomasz (2016) Chemical composition and Raman spectroscopy of cornubite and its relation to cornwallite in Miedzianka, the Sudety Mts., Poland. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen Journal of Mineralogy and Geochemistry, 193 (3) 265-274 doi:10.1127/njma/2016/0305
Localities for Cornubite
Showing 149 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.
Argentina | |
| Brodtkorb (2006) |
Australia | |
| Peter Elliott |
| Peter Elliott | |
| Peter Elliott pers. comm. | |
| S Sorrell (pers comm) | |
| Nickel et al. (1993) |
| Min. Record 24 (1993) | |
| Nickel et al. (1993) | |
| Downes et al. (2006) |
Austria | |
| Poeverlein (2008) |
| - (1994, July) +1 other reference |
Brazil | |
| Menezes (n.d.) |
| sergio varvello collectino | |
Bulgaria | |
| Minceva-Stefanova (1993) |
| Minceva-Stefanova (2001) |
Canada | |
| Nadeau et al. (2015) |
Chile | |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen Schluter +1 other reference |
| maurizio dini collection - confirmed by ... |
China | |
| Lairen Lai and Yi Li (1989) +2 other references |
| Boutry Collection |
DR Congo | |
| Lhoest (1992) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Bari (1982) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) | |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Escande et al. (1973) +6 other references |
| Escande et al. (1973) +6 other references | |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Patrice Queneau Collection. Visual ... |
| Forner et al. (1997) |
| Patrice Queneau Collection First ... |
| Favreau et al. (2010) |
| Bortolozzi (n.d.) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| François Garric collection; Georges ... |
| Sarp et al. (OH) +2 other references |
| van den Berg (1987) +2 other references |
| CLAUDE jm. Trouvaille et collection ... +1 other reference | |
| CLAUDE jean-marie : trouvaille et ... +1 other reference | |
Germany | |
| [Wittern (1995) |
| Schrenk (2000) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1989) |
| |
| |
| Markl (2016) | |
| Aufschluss 1981 (5) |
| Anthony et al. (2016) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| Tillmanns et al. (1985) |
| Lapis (10) |
| Legner et al. (2022) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Koch (2008) |
| Henrich (2008) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Lapis (12) |
| Mineralienwelt 2/1997 |
| Wittern (2001) +1 other reference |
| Schnorrer et al. (2000) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| Daniel Lunau Collection |
Greece | |
| Nicholas Barbis collection +2 other references |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya |
| Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya | |
| Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya | |
| GEODA 2004 |
| Sándor et al. (2005) |
| |
| |
Italy | |
| Pagano et al. (2001) |
| Redazionale (2005) | |
| Redazione (2005) |
| Marchesini M. (1999) |
| Dr. Uwe Kolitsch (EDS+XRD) |
| Guastoni et al. (2006) +2 other references |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
| Brizzi et al. (1994) |
| Stara et al. (1993) |
| LIBVRNA N°2 September 2021 |
| Guelfi et al. (1987) +2 other references |
| Orlandi et al. (1994) |
Japan | |
| pers. comm. Kotaro Watanabe +1 other reference |
| Ohori and Kobayashi (1996) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Sakurai (1970) |
Morocco | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
Poland | |
| Łukasz Kruszewski PXRD & EPMA data (2019) |
| Bzowska et al. (2003) |
Portugal | |
| Alves (n.d.) |
Russia | |
| Kasatkin et al. (2024) |
Slovakia | |
| Martin Števko |
| Kodě +2 other references | |
| Hyršl et al. (1984) |
| Sejkora J. |
| Sejkora J. | |
Spain | |
| Joan Abella i Creus (Joanabellacreus@gmail.com) |
| Joan Abella i Creus (Joanabellacreus@gmail.com) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2015) |
Switzerland | |
| |
| Meisser (1999) | |
| Cuchet et al. (2012) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| |
| Anthony et al. (2016) | |
| Claringbull et al. (1959) +1 other reference |
| Golley et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Golley et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (2016) | |
| |
| Golley et al. (1995) | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) | |
| Claringbull et al. (1959) +2 other references |
| Stanley et al. (1991) | |
| Anthony et al. (2016) |
| Ian Jones collection. | |
| Collected Dec 2004 |
| Collected Dec 2004 | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1990) |
| Day (1999) | |
| Day (1999) |
| Rushton (1972) |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Collection by Bruce J. Murphy 1982. ... |
| Williams (1977) +1 other reference | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Kampf et al. (2018) |
| Dunning et al. (2005) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Jensen et al. (2010) |
| Anthony et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
| Colection of Alex Earl | |
| Jensen (1985) | |
| NMBMGMR Open-file Report - 532 +1 other reference |
| Mineral Notes & News et al. (Feb, 1974) +2 other references |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| Roberts et al. (1997) |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) |
Quick NavTopAbout CornubiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
North mine, Cap Garonne Mine, Le Pradet, Toulon, Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France