Kipushite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Kipushite
View of the Kipushi copper mining area, ca. 1970.
Kipushi Mine, Kipushi, Kipushi Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo
Kipushi Mine, Kipushi, Kipushi Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo
Formula:
(Cu,Zn)5Zn(PO4)2(OH)6 · H2O
Colour:
Emerald green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
3.8
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1985 by Paul Piret, Michel Deliens and Jacqueline Piret Meunier, after the type locality at the Kipushi Mine (Prince Léopold Mine), Kipushi, Lubumbashi (Elizabethville), Katanga (Shaba), Congo (Zaïre).
The phosphate analogue of philipsburgite ("partial" analogy) and the "full" phosphate analogue of goldhillite.
Chemically related to veszelyite and zincolibethenite.
The Zn site, of tetrahedral coordination, in the kipushite-philipsburgite solid solution is Zn-deficient, with Cu substituting for Zn.
See also Unnamed (As/P-ordered P-rich "philipsburgite").
Not to be confused with kipushite (of Buttgenbach) (a synonym of veszelyite).
Chemically related to veszelyite and zincolibethenite.
The Zn site, of tetrahedral coordination, in the kipushite-philipsburgite solid solution is Zn-deficient, with Cu substituting for Zn.
See also Unnamed (As/P-ordered P-rich "philipsburgite").
Not to be confused with kipushite (of Buttgenbach) (a synonym of veszelyite).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2215
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2215:2
Similar Names
| Kipushite (of Buttgenbach) | A synonym of Veszelyite |
IMA Classification of Kipushite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu2+6(PO4)2(OH)6·H2O
Approval year:
1983
First published:
1985
Classification of Kipushite
8.DE.
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 3:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 3:1
42.2.4.1
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)3(XO4)Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)3(XO4)Zq·xH2O
19.6.6
19 : Phosphates
6 : Phosphates of Zn
19 : Phosphates
6 : Phosphates of Zn
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kip | 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 Kipushite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Emerald green
Streak:
Pale blue
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Comment:
approximately
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.8 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.904 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Kipushite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.693(2) nβ = 1.738(2) nγ = 1.740(2)
2V:
Calculated: 23°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.047
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:
weak to distinct
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = colorless; Y = blue; Z = bright blue.
Comments:
2V(meas.) = Small
Chemistry of Kipushite
Mindat Formula:
(Cu,Zn)5Zn(PO4)2(OH)6 · H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Kipushite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.197(2) Å, b = 9.156(2) Å, c = 10.667(2) Å
β = 96.77(2)°
β = 96.77(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.332 : 1 : 1.165
Unit Cell V:
1,182.94 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Elongated aggregates of prisms; prismatic crystals of which lateral faces are uneven and rounded. Prisms {111} are elongate along [101] and terminated principally by (100). Forms present: {102}, {012} and {111}.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005202 | Kipushite | Piret P, Deliens M, Piret-Meunier J (1985) Occurrence and crystal structure of kipushite, a new copper-zinc phosphate from Kipushi, Zaire The Canadian Mineralogist 23 35-42 |  | 1985 | Kipushi, Zaire | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.03 Å | (100) |
| 2.554 Å | (90) |
| 2.970 Å | (60) |
| 1.531 Å | (60b) |
| 12.2 Å | (50) |
| 3.386 Å | (45) |
| 6.06 Å | (40) |
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 Kipushite
General Appearance of Type Material:
More or less elongated aggregates of prisms up to 3 mm or rarely as isolated prismatic crystals up to 0.3 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A holotype specimen of kipushite is registered in the mineralogical collection of the Musee royal de I'Afrique centrale (No. 14.026).
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Kipushite
Other Language Names for Kipushite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 29 photos of Kipushite associated with Veszelyite | (Cu,Zn)2Zn(PO4)(OH)3 · 2H2O |
| 26 photos of Kipushite associated with Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| 16 photos of Kipushite associated with Pseudomalachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 7 photos of Kipushite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Kipushite associated with Reichenbachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 4 photos of Kipushite associated with Zincolibethenite | CuZn(PO4)(OH) |
| 2 photos of Kipushite associated with 'Limonite' | |
| 1 photo of Kipushite associated with Philipsburgite | Cu5Zn(AsO4)(PO4)(OH)6 · H2O |
| 1 photo of Kipushite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| 1 photo of Kipushite associated with Pyrolusite | Mn4+O2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DE. | Arsenoveszelyite | Cu2Zn(AsO4)(OH)3 · 2H2O |
| 8.DE. | Goldhillite | Cu5Zn(AsO4)2(OH)6 · H2O |
| 8.DE.05 | Senegalite | Al2(PO4)(OH)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.DE.10 | Fluellite | Al2(PO4)F2(OH) · 7H2O |
| 8.DE.15 | Bulachite | Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4 · 2H2O |
| 8.DE.20 | Zapatalite | Cu3Al4(PO4)3(OH)9 · 4H2O |
| 8.DE.25 | Ceruleite | Cu2Al7(AsO4)4(OH)13 · 11.5H2O |
| 8.DE.30 | Veszelyite | (Cu,Zn)2Zn(PO4)(OH)3 · 2H2O |
| 8.DE.35 | Philipsburgite | Cu5Zn(AsO4)(PO4)(OH)6 · H2O |
| 8.DE.40 | Juanitaite | (Cu,Ca,Fe)10Bi(AsO4)4(OH)11 · 2H2O |
| 8.DE.45 | Iangreyite | Ca2Al7(PO4)2(PO3OH)2(OH,F)15 · 8H2O |
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 Kipushite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2215.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Kipushite
Reference List:
Piret, p., Deliens, M., Piret-Meunier, J. (1985) Occurrence and crystal structure of kipushite, a new copper-zinc phosphate from Kipushi, Zaire. The Canadian Mineralogist, 23 (1) 35-42
Braithwaite, R. S. W., Ryback, G. (1988) Philipsburgite from the Caldbeck Fells and Kipushite from Montana, and Their Infrared Spectra. Mineralogical Magazine, 52 (367) 529-533 doi:10.1180/minmag.1988.052.367.14
Localities for Kipushite
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.
Australia | |
| Peter Elliott +1 other reference |
Austria | |
| Schnorrer et al. (2002) |
China | |
| p.6 +1 other reference |
| Shen (n.d.) |
| Shen (n.d.) |
| Li et al. (2023) +1 other reference | |
DR Congo (TL) | |
| Piret et al. (1985) +2 other references |
Italy | |
| Sergio Mascia - Probed |
Republic of the Congo | |
| www.spiriferminerals.com (2020) |
| Spirifer Minerals specimens | |
UK | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1988) +1 other reference |
| Stanley et al. (1991) | |
USA | |
| Chorazewicz M. |
| Per. Comm. from Eugene Ford re XRD ... |
| Silver Coin Mine. Compact Disc. Paul ... |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
Quick NavTopAbout KipushiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA 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
Kipushi Mine, Kipushi, Kipushi Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo