Cornwallite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Cornwallite
Formula:
Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4
Colour:
Verdigis green, blackish-green, emerald-green; emerald-green in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Greasy
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
4.17
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1846 by František Xaver Maximilian Zippe after Cornwall, England, wherein lies the type locality.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
Isostructural with:
The arsenate analogue of pseudomalachite.
The monoclinic dimorph of cornubite.
A secondary mineral formed by the oxidation of ore containing both copper and arsenic (e.g, tennantite).
The monoclinic dimorph of cornubite.
A secondary mineral formed by the oxidation of ore containing both copper and arsenic (e.g, tennantite).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1133
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1133:0
IMA Classification of Cornwallite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu2+5(As5+O4)2(OH)4
Classification of Cornwallite
8.BD.05
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
41.4.2.2
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
20.1.4
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cnw | 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 Cornwallite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Cornwallite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Comment:
Satiny or rough on surfaces from terminations of minute crystals.
Colour:
Verdigis green, blackish-green, emerald-green; emerald-green in transmitted light.
Streak:
Apple green
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On one direction.
On one direction.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
4.17 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.64 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Cornwallite
Type:
Biaxial (+/-)
RI values:
nα = 1.810 - 1.820 nβ = 1.815 - 1.860 nγ = 1.850 - 1.880
2V:
Measured: 30° to 50°, Calculated: 34°
Birefringence:
0.050
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.040 - 0.060
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
Chemistry of Cornwallite
Mindat Formula:
Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Cornwallite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/a
Cell Parameters:
a = 17.33 Å, b = 5.82 Å, c = 4.60 Å
β = 92.22°
β = 92.22°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.978 : 1 : 0.79
Unit Cell V:
463.61 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Microcrystalline, radial fibrous botyroidal to globular and vitreous crusts. Less common as rounded tabular to blocky crystals.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014901 | Cornwallite | Arlt T, Armbruster T (1999) Single-crystal X-ray structure refinement of cornwallite, Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4: A comparison with its polymorph cornubite and the (PO4)-analogue pseudomalachite Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1999 468-480 | 1999 | Clara mine, Oberwolfach, Black Forest, Germany | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.60 Å | (80) |
| 3.53 Å | (90) |
| 3.22 Å | (100) |
| 3.10 Å | (90) |
| 3.02 Å | (80) |
| 2.478 Å | (80) |
| 2.414 Å | (90) |
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:
Found in the oxidized zones of copper deposits.
Type Occurrence of Cornwallite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, MI 1985,1754.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Copper bearing sulfide veins
Synonyms of Cornwallite
Other Language Names for Cornwallite
Dutch:Cornwalliet
German:Cornwallit
Russian:Корнваллит
Simplified Chinese:翠绿砷铜矿
Spanish:Cornwallita
Traditional Chinese:翠綠砷銅礦
Relationship of Cornwallite to other Species
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 229 photos of Cornwallite associated with Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 192 photos of Cornwallite associated with Clinoclase | Cu3(AsO4)(OH)3 |
| 91 photos of Cornwallite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 86 photos of Cornwallite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 67 photos of Cornwallite associated with Agardite-(Ce) | CeCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 55 photos of Cornwallite associated with Cornubite | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 50 photos of Cornwallite associated with Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 49 photos of Cornwallite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 49 photos of Cornwallite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 47 photos of Cornwallite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BD. | Antipovite | Cu5O2(PO4)2 |
| 8.BD.05 | Reichenbachite | Cu5(PO4)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 |
| 8.BD.30 | Cornubite | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
Fluorescence of Cornwallite
Not Fluorescent
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in nitric acid.
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 Cornwallite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1133.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 Cornwallite
Reference List:
Hillebrand, W. F., Washington, H. S. (1888) Notes on certain rare copper minerals from Utah. American Journal of Science, s3-35 (208). 298-307 doi:10.2475/ajs.s3-35.208.298p.299
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.62
Berry, L. G. (1951) Observations on conichalcite, cornwallite, euchroite, liroconite and olivenite. American Mineralogist, 36 (5-6) 484-503
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
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
Localities for Cornwallite
Showing 237 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.
Australia | |
| Birch et al. (1997) |
| Uwe Kolitsch collection +1 other reference |
| Personal Collection of Mark Willoughby +2 other references |
| Peter Elliott | |
| Peter Elliott pers. comm. +1 other reference | |
| S Sorrell (pers comm) | |
| Munro-Smith (2006) +1 other reference |
| Hodkinson et al. (1989) |
| Anthony et al. (2016) |
| Nickel et al. (1993) |
| Min. Record 24 (1993) | |
| Nickel et al. (1993) | |
| Min. Record 24 (1993) | |
| Min. Record 24 (1993) | |
| Downes et al. (2006) |
Austria | |
| Auer et al. (2017) |
| Schnorrer et al. (2010) |
| Poeverlein et al. (2007) |
| Lapis 2007 | |
| - (1994, July) |
| Poeverlein et al. (2010) |
| Poeverlein et al. (2010) | |
Brazil | |
| Paul M. Adams Collection |
| Menezes (n.d.) |
| sergio varvello collectino | |
Bulgaria | |
| Mincheva-Stefanova (1968) |
| Minceva-Stefanova (2001) |
| Minceva-Stefanova (2001) |
Chile | |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen Schlüter (Hamburg University) +1 other reference |
| In the collection of Brent Thorne. ... |
| Collected and raman confirmed by Bob ... |
| Arturo Molina and Maurizio Dini ... |
China | |
| Lairen Lai and Yi Li (1989) +2 other references |
| Atagnis Tairitsu Collection |
| Wen Yan and Chaoyang Li (1992) |
| Wen Yan and Chaoyang Li (1992) | |
Czech Republic | |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) |
| Petr Pauliš (2000) +1 other reference |
| Sejkora (1994) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Favreau G. et al. (1996) |
| Add Citation Reference SEM-EDS ... |
| Valverde J. (1999) | |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Hohl (1994) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Bari (1982) | |
| Thierry Brunsperger collection |
| T. Brunsperger observations | |
| Wittern et al. (1997) | |
| Wittern et al. (1997) | |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Thierry Brunsperger collection |
| Escande et al. (1973) +6 other references |
| Escande et al. (1973) +6 other references | |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Favreau et al. (2010) |
| Caubel (1997) +1 other reference |
| van den Berg (1987) +1 other reference |
| Georges FAVREAU collection + EDX ... | |
| CLAUDE Jean Marie Collection and ... | |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| [Wittern (1995) |
| Hahn (1991) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| |
| |
| Ko Jansen | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| |
| Anthony et al. (2016) |
| |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| |
| |
| Petitjean et al. (2000) |
| Belendorff et al. (1987) | |
| Collection of Steffen Michalski | |
| Legner et al. (2022) |
| Koch (2008) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1991) |
| Henrich (2008) |
| 54 +1 other reference |
| Henrich (2008) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| min max |
| Wittern (2001) +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Lapis (9) |
| Martin et al. (1994) |
| Kleeberg et al. (1992) |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) | |
Greece | |
| |
| Gröbner (2001) | |
Hungary | |
| Sándor et al. (2005) |
| |
Ireland | |
| Moreton et al. (2006) |
Italy | |
| Bortolozzi et al. (2017) |
| Pagano et al. (2001) |
| Redazionale (2005) | |
| Balestra (2016) | |
| Redazione (2005) |
| probed by Balestra C. |
| Carmagnola et al. (2019) |
| Bedognè +2 other references |
| Boscardin M. et al. (1994) |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
| Stara et al. (1993) |
| LIBVRNA N°2 September 2021 |
Japan | |
| Yamada (2004) |
| Ohori and Kobayashi (1996) |
| Ohori and Kobayashi (1996) | |
| SHIROSE et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
Mexico | |
| Anthony et al. (2016) |
| Mineralogical Magazine 1972 38 : ... |
Mongolia | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Morocco | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Barral et al. (2009) |
| Favreau (n.d.) |
| Favreau (2026) | |
| Favreau (n.d.) +1 other reference | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
Namibia | |
| Gebhard (1999) +1 other reference |
Poland | |
| Domańska (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Siuda et al. (2006) |
| Łukasz Kruszewski |
Portugal | |
| Marques de Sá et al. (2010) |
| Alves (n.d.) |
| Alves (n.d.) |
Russia | |
| Nenasheva et al. (2011) |
| Yurgenson et al. (2011) |
Slovakia | |
| Števko et al. (2021) |
| Pauliš | |
| Hyršl et al. (1984) |
| Števko et al. (2012) |
| Sejkora J. |
| Sejkora J. | |
| Števko M. (2022) | |
| Števko M. (2022) | |
| Števko M. et al. (2017) |
| Řídkošil (1978) |
| Martin Števko-unpublished | |
South Africa | |
| Robert O. Meyer collection +1 other reference |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
| Malcolm Southwood (2002) | |
Spain | |
| Favreau et al. (2013) |
| José Miguel Sola +3 other references |
| José Miguel Sola Fernández and group. |
| Calvo (2015) |
| Rewitzer et al. (2020) |
| CASTRO et al. (2022) | |
| José Miguel Sola | |
| Calvo (2015) |
| Ko Jansen collection |
| Calvo Rebollar (2015) |
| University of Adelaide Tate Museum ... |
| Calvo (2015) |
| Joan Abella i Creus (Joanabellacreus@gmail.com) |
| Calvo (2015) |
| Borja Sainz de Baranda et al. (2003) |
| Calvo (2015) | |
| Calvo Rebollar (2015) |
| Calvo (2015) |
| Viñals et al. (2007) |
| Honrubia et al. (2002) |
| Collection and photos of Adrian Pesudo |
Switzerland | |
| Cuchet et al. (2012) |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Bruce et al. (1998) |
| |
| |
| Golley et al. (1995) +1 other reference | |
| Mineralogical Magazine 1959 32 : 1-5. +3 other references |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Miers (1894) +2 other references |
| |
| Golley et al. (1995) | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) | |
| Neall et al. (2009) |
| Cooper et al. (1990) | |
| Young (1987) +2 other references | |
| Kingsbury et al. (MS) +5 other references |
| Day (1999) | |
| Stanley et al. (1991) | |
| BMS Collection |
| [Ian Bruce |
| Ian Jones collection. | |
| Collected Dec 2004 |
| Collected Dec 2004 | |
| Rushton (1972) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
USA | |
| - (2008) |
| Raman +1 other reference |
| Bruce J. Murphy collection +1 other reference |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Brian Beck Collected | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Kampf et al. (2018) |
| MarekC pers. coll. 2017-2018 | |
| Dunning et al. (2005) |
| MarekC Collection May 2016 |
| King et al. (1993) |
| Jensen et al. (2012) |
| Guilbert and Zeihen +1 other reference |
| Jenkins et al. (2002) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Tom Loomis specimen +1 other reference |
| Wise (1978) +2 other references |
| Alexander Wong Collection | |
| Jensen (1993) | |
| Rocks & Minerals. Nov. 1999. |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Dana et al. (1892) +1 other reference |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... +1 other reference | |
| Thorne (n.d.) | |
| Rocks & Minerals: 63: 130. +3 other references | |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| R&M 68:6 p372-380 +1 other reference |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... |
| Mineral Collector 1:12 p179 |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
| Thorne (n.d.) +1 other reference | |
| 3 +4 other references | |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... +1 other reference | |
| SEM-EDS analyzed by Dr. Rob Bowell. |
Zimbabwe | |
| Vetter et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
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María Josefa Mine, Rodalquilar, Níjar, Almería, Andalusia, Spain