Georgeite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Georgeite
Formula:
[Cu(OH)2-x(H2O)x][CO3]x/2
formerly given as Cu2(CO3)(OH)2·6H2O;
the current, generic formula, results from acceptance of the IMA 23-G proposal
the current, generic formula, results from acceptance of the IMA 23-G proposal
Colour:
Sky-blue
Lustre:
Vitreous, Earthy
Hardness:
1 - 2
Specific Gravity:
2.55
Crystal System:
Amorphous
Name:
Named in honor of George Herbert Payne (28 May 1912, Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia - 1 May 1989, Floreat Park, Western Australia, Australia) past Chief of the Mineral Division, Western Australia Government Chemical Laboratories, Australia.
Kondrat et al. (2016) report georgeite as a stable precursor to methanol-synthesis and LTS catalysts.
Redefined in 2023 as "an amorphous alpha-phase hydroxide".
Redefined in 2023 as "an amorphous alpha-phase hydroxide".
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1676
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1676:2
Similar Names
| Georgiaite | A variety of 'Tektite' |
| Goergyite | A synonym of Görgeyite |
IMA Classification of Georgeite
Approved
IMA status notes:
Redefined by the IMA
IMA Formula:
[Cu2+(OH)2-x(H2O)x][CO3]x/2
First published:
1979
Approval history:
IMA 23-G: redefinition of georgeite
(Mike S. Rumsey)
(Mike S. Rumsey)
Classification of Georgeite
5.BA.10
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
A : With Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Mg, Mn
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
A : With Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Mg, Mn
16a.3.3.1
16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : (AB)2(XO3)Zq
16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : (AB)2(XO3)Zq
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gg | 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 Georgeite
Vitreous, Earthy
Transparency:
Transparent, Opaque
Colour:
Sky-blue
Comment:
Ridgway Light Cerulean Blue (45-BGBb), Pale Cerulean Blue (45-BG-Bd) to Calamine Blue (45-G-Bd).
Streak:
Pale blue
Hardness:
1 - 2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
2.55(10) g/cm3 (Measured)
Comment:
Sink float method
Optical Data of Georgeite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.593(2)
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Chemistry of Georgeite
Mindat Formula:
[Cu(OH)2-x(H2O)x][CO3]x/2
formerly given as Cu2(CO3)(OH)2·6H2O;
the current, generic formula, results from acceptance of the IMA 23-G proposal
formerly given as Cu2(CO3)(OH)2·6H2O;
the current, generic formula, results from acceptance of the IMA 23-G proposal
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Georgeite
Crystal System:
Amorphous
Comment:
Amorphous
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Georgeite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Coatings, either powdery or with the appearance of desiccated gel.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA (type).
National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, Japan (type).
Western Australian Museum, Perth, Australia, number MDC 5715 (holotype).
National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, Japan (type).
Western Australian Museum, Perth, Australia, number MDC 5715 (holotype).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Copper-nickel mineralization in Archaean greenstone.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Georgeite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Georgeite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 2 photos of Georgeite associated with Glaukosphaerite | (Cu,Ni)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Georgeite associated with Bismutite | (BiO)2CO3 |
| 1 photo of Georgeite associated with Bismite | Bi2O3 |
| 1 photo of Georgeite associated with Beyerite | Ca(BiO)2(CO3)2 |
| 1 photo of Georgeite associated with Chalconatronite | Na2Cu(CO3)2 · 3H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.BA.05 | Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Mcguinnessite | (Mg,Cu)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Zincrosasite | (Zn,Cu)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Parádsasvárite | Zn2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Nullaginite | Ni2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Glaukosphaerite | (Cu,Ni)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Pokrovskite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Kolwezite | CuCo(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Chukanovite | Fe2+2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Perchiazziite | Co2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.15 | Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| 5.BA.15 | Hydrozincite | Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| 5.BA.20 | Holdawayite | Mn6(CO3)2(OH)7(Cl,OH) |
| 5.BA.25 | 'UM1977-03-COSiO:CaClH' | Ca10-11(CO3)7(SiO4)Cl1-2(OH)1-2 |
| 5.BA.25 | Defernite | Ca6(CO3)1.58(Si2O7)0.21(OH)7[Cl0.50(OH)0.08(H2O)0.42] |
| 5.BA.30 | Sclarite | Zn7(CO3)2(OH)10 |
| 5.BA.30 | Loseyite | (Mn2+,Zn,Mg)4Zn3(CO3)2(OH)10 |
Other Information
Notes:
The mineral is insoluble in water but soluble in dilute acids with effervescence.
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 Georgeite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1676.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Georgeite
Reference List:
Bridge, P. J., Just, J., Hey, M. H. (1979) Georgeite, a new amorphous copper carbonate from the Carr Boyd Mine, Western Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (325) 97-98 doi:10.1180/minmag.1979.043.325.04
Fleischer, Michael, Burns, Roger G., Cabri, Louis J., Chao, George Y., Hogarth, D. D., Pabst, Adolf (1979) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 64 (11-12) 1329-1334 p.1330
Pollard, A. M., Thomas, R. G., Williams, P. A., Just, J., Bridge, P. J. (1991) The synthesis and composition of georgeite and its reactions to form other secondary copper(II) carbonates. Mineralogical Magazine, 55 (379) 163-166 doi:10.1180/minmag.1991.055.379.03
Kondrat, Simon A., Smith, Paul J., Wells, Peter P., Chater, Philip A., Carter, James H., Morgan, David J., Fiordaliso, Elisabetta M., Wagner, Jakob B., Davies, Thomas E., Lu, Li, Bartley, Jonathan K., Taylor, Stuart H., Spencer, Michael S., Kiely, Christopher J., Kelly, Gordon J., Park, Colin W., Rosseinsky, Matthew J., Hutchings, Graham J. (2016) Stable amorphous georgeite as a precursor to a high-activity catalyst. Nature, 531 (7592). 83-87 doi:10.1038/nature16935
Localities for Georgeite
Showing 4 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 | |
| Murray Thompson |
| Bridge et al. (1979) +1 other reference |
Greece | |
| Solomos et al. (2004) |
UK | |
| Pollard et al. (1991) |
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Carr Boyd Rocks Ni mine, Menangina Station, Menzies Shire, Western Australia, Australia