Dolerophanite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Dolerophanite
Formula:
Cu2(SO4)O
Colour:
Dark brown, nearly black; yellow-brown in transmitted light.
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
4.17
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
From the Greek δολερός for "fallacious," and φαιυεσθαι "to appear," since its appearance does not suggest its composition.
This page provides mineralogical data about Dolerophanite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1302
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1302:0
IMA Classification of Dolerophanite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu2+2OS6+O4
First published:
1873
Classification of Dolerophanite
7.BB.20
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
30.2.2.1
30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
25.2.5
25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag
25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dph | 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 Dolerophanite
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Dark brown, nearly black; yellow-brown in transmitted light.
Streak:
Yellowish-brown
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {101}, perfect.
On {101}, perfect.
Density:
4.17 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.16 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured values on artificial crystals.
Optical Data of Dolerophanite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.715 nβ = 1.820 nγ = 1.880
2V:
Measured: 85° , Calculated: 70°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.165
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
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ c = –10°.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Dark brown; Y = Brownish yellow; Z = Lemon-yellow.
Chemistry of Dolerophanite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2(SO4)O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Dolerophanite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.370(2) Å, b = 6.319(2) Å, c = 7.639(1) Å
β = 122.34(1)°
β = 122.34(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.483 : 1 : 1.209
Unit Cell V:
382.14 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals commonly elongated [010], and more or less tabular on {101}; small. Faces in the zone [010] commonly striated [010]; other faces smooth and lustrous.
Comment:
synthetic
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014667 | Dolerophanite | Effenberger H (1985) Cu2O(SO4), dolerophanite: Refinement of the crystal structure with a comparison of [OCu(II)4] tetrahedra in inorganic compounds Monatshefte fur Chemie 116 927-931 | 1985 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.623 Å | (100) |
| 6.443 Å | (50) |
| 2.615 Å | (42) |
| 2.256 Å | (30) |
| 2.776 Å | (21) |
| 2.546 Å | (18) |
| 2.028 Å | (13) |
Comments:
Vesuvius, Italy. Data from Mrose (1961).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Geological Setting:
Active volcanic fumaroles.
Type Occurrence of Dolerophanite
General Appearance of Type Material:
As a sublimate.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Paris, France, 71.124.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Active volcanic fumaroles.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Dolerophanite
Other Language Names for Dolerophanite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 13 photos of Dolerophanite associated with Chalcocyanite | CuSO4 |
| 13 photos of Dolerophanite associated with Tenorite | CuO |
| 13 photos of Dolerophanite associated with Euchlorine | KNaCu3(SO4)3O |
| 1 photo of Dolerophanite associated with Anglesite | PbSO4 |
| 1 photo of Dolerophanite associated with Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| 1 photo of Dolerophanite associated with Fedotovite | K2Cu3(SO4)3O |
| 1 photo of Dolerophanite associated with Bonattite | CuSO4 · 3H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.BB. | Iskandarovite | Sb6O7(SO4)2 |
| 7.BB. | Brumadoite | Cu3(Te6+O4)(OH)4 · 5H2O |
| 7.BB. | Novikovite | (NH4)4Mo6+2Mo5+2O8(SO4)5 |
| 7.BB.10 | Hauckite | Fe3+3(Mg,Mn2+)24Zn18(SO4)4(CO3)2(OH)81 |
| 7.BB.15 | Antlerite | Cu3(SO4)(OH)4 |
| 7.BB.25 | Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 7.BB.25 | Ramaccioniite | Cu4[SeO4](OH)6 |
| 7.BB.30 | Vergasovaite | Cu3(SO4)(MoO4,SO4)O |
| 7.BB.30 | Cupromolybdite | Cu3O(MoO4)2 |
| 7.BB.35 | Klebelsbergite | Sb4O4(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 7.BB.35 | Tavagnascoite | Bi4O4(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 7.BB.40 | Schuetteite | Hg2+3O2(SO4) |
| 7.BB.45 | Paraotwayite | Ni(OH)2-x(SO4,CO3)0.5x |
| 7.BB.50 | Xocomecatlite | Cu3(TeO4)(OH)4 |
| 7.BB.55 | Pauflerite | (V4+O)SO4 |
| 7.BB.60 | Grandviewite | Cu3Al2(SO4)(OH)10 · H2O |
| 7.BB.65 | Timroseite | Pb2Cu5(TeO6)2(OH)2 |
| 7.BB.70 | Glikinite | Zn3O(SO4)2 |
| 7.BB.80 | Mojaveite | Cu6[Te6+O4(OH)2](OH)7Cl |
| 7.BB.85 | Paratimroseite | Pb2Cu4(TeO6)2(H2O)2 |
Other Information
Notes:
Slowly decomposed by cold water, leaving a blue solution and residue; also decomposed by moist air.
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 Dolerophanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1302.html
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References for Dolerophanite
Reference List:
Goldschmidt, Victor (1886) Index der Krystallformen der Mineralien Vol. 1. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. doi:10.1007/978-3-662-28591-6 p.511
Richmond, Wallace E. (1940) Crystal chemistry of the phosphates, arsenates and vanadates of the type A2XO4(Z). American Mineralogist, 25 (7). 441-479
Richmond, W. E., Wolfe, C. W. (1940) Crystallography of dolerophanite. American Mineralogist, 25 (9) 606-610
Mrose, Mary E. (1961) Vernadskite discredited: pseudomorphs of antlerite after dolerophanite. American Mineralogist, 46 (1-2) 146-154
Kahler, E. (1962) Die Kristallstruktur von Dolerophanit, Cu2O(SO4), ein Beispiel für 5-koordiniertes Kupfer. Die Naturwissenschaften, 49 (13) 298 doi:10.1007/bf00622706
Flügel-Kahler, E. (1963) Die Kristallstruktur von Dolerophanit, Cu2O(SO4) Acta Crystallographica, 16 (10) 1009-1014 doi:10.1107/s0365110x6300267x
Localities for Dolerophanite
Showing 14 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.
DR Congo | |
| Haest et al. (2009) |
Italy (TL) | |
| Note Min. (1873) +3 other references |
| Note Min. (1873) +4 other references | |
| Pellino et al. (2025) | |
Poland | |
| Ł. Kruszewski PXRD data (W. Sierny specimen) |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Pekov et al. (2015) |
| Vergasova et al. (2000) | |
| Bykova et al. (1998) | |
| Pavel Martynov specimen +1 other reference | |
| Gongalsky et al. (2019) |
USA | |
| Brian Beck Collected |
Quick NavTopAbout DolerophaniteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Yadovitaya fumarole, Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Fissure eruption, Tolbachik Volcanic field, Milkovsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia