Linarite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Linarite
Formula:
PbCu(SO4)(OH)2
Colour:
Deep azure blue; deep blue in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
5.35
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1839 by Ernst Friedrich Glocker for the type locality, Linares, Linares-La Carolina District, Jaén, Andalusia, Spain.
Type Locality:
The S (sulfate(VI)) analogue of franksousaite.
Usually found as small to microscopic azure blue crystals, either tabular or elongated, in clusters or as crusts.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Linarite.
Usually found as small to microscopic azure blue crystals, either tabular or elongated, in clusters or as crusts.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Linarite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2403
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2403:3
Similar Names
| Binarite | A synonym of Marcasite | |
| Lehnerite | A valid IMA mineral species | Mn2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| Lehnerite (of Müllbauer) | A synonym of Ludlamite | |
| Liparite | A synonym of 'Rhyolite' | |
| Liparite (of Casoria) | A synonym of Chrysocolla | |
| Liparite (of Glocker) | A synonym of Fluorite |
IMA Classification of Linarite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Pb2+Cu2+S6+O4(OH)2
First published:
1822
Type description reference:
Classification of Linarite
7.BC.65
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
Dana 7th ed.:
30.2.3.1
30.2.3.1
30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
25.7.6
25 : Sulphates
7 : Sulphates of Pb
25 : Sulphates
7 : Sulphates of Pb
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lna | 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 Linarite
Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Deep azure blue; deep blue in transmitted light.
Comment:
Similar to azurite but not as deep.
Streak:
Pale blue.
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {100}, perfect; on {001}, imperfect.
On {100}, perfect; on {001}, imperfect.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
5.35 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.33 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Linarite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.809 nβ = 1.838 nγ = 1.859
2V:
Measured: 80° , Calculated: 78°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.050
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:
Strong r < v
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X ^c~ -24° = Pale blue
Y = Clear blue
Z = b = Prussian-blue
Y = Clear blue
Z = b = Prussian-blue
Chemistry of Linarite
Mindat Formula:
PbCu(SO4)(OH)2
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Linarite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.682(2) Å, b = 5.646(1) Å, c = 4.683(6) Å
β = 102.66(1)°
β = 102.66(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.715 : 1 : 0.829
Unit Cell V:
249.9 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals thin to thick tabular {101} and {001}, also elongated parallel to [010]; usually found as small to microscopic clusters or crusts.
Twinning:
Twinning on {100} common; reported on {001}.
Comment:
a = 9.81, b = 5.65, c = 4.70, β = 104.7 (Bachmann and Zemann 1961). a = 9.701(2), b = 5.650(2), c = 4.690(2), β = 102.65(2) (Effenberger 1987). a = 9.682(2), b = 5.646(1), c = 4.683(6), β = 102.66(1) (Schofield et al. 2009, at 293 K)
Crystallographic forms of Linarite
Crystal Atlas:
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Linarite no.6 - {100} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Linarite no.23 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by
www.smorf.nl.
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Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0006293 | Linarite | Schofield P F, Wilson C C, Knight K S, Kirk C A (2009) Proton location and hydrogen bonding in the hydrous lead copper sulfates linarite, PbCu(SO4)(OH)2, and caledonite, Pb5Cu2(SO4)3CO3(OH)6 The Canadian Mineralogist 47 649-662 |  | 2009 | Leadhills, Lanarkshire, Scotland | 0 | 293 |
| 0014611 | Linarite | Effenberger H (1987) Crystal structure and chemical formula of schmiederite, Pb2Cu2(OH)4(SeO3)(SeO4), with a comparison to linarite PbCu(OH)2(SO4) Mineralogy and Petrology 36 3-12 | 1987 | Leadhills, Scotland | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.85 Å | (40) |
| 4.52 Å | (60) |
| 3.63 Å | (30) |
| 3.56 Å | (60) |
| 3.15 Å | (100) |
| 3.11 Å | (40) |
| 2.71 Å | (30) |
| 2.59 Å | (30) |
Locality:
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals | |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Geological Setting:
An uncommon secondary mineral found in the oxidation zone of lead mineral deposits.
Type Occurrence of Linarite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Easily cleaved, brilliant blue crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Academy, Freiberg, Germany 46.527.
Synonyms of Linarite
Other Language Names for Linarite
Relationship of Linarite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Linarite-Chenite Group:
| Chenite | Pb4Cu(SO4)2(OH)6 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Franksousaite | PbCu(Se6+O4)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Munakataite | Pb2Cu2(Se4+O3)(SO4)(OH)4 | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Schmiederite | Pb2Cu2(Se6+O4)(Se4+O3)(OH)4 | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 592 photos of Linarite associated with Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 455 photos of Linarite associated with Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 431 photos of Linarite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 321 photos of Linarite associated with Caledonite | Pb5Cu2(SO4)3(CO3)(OH)6 |
| 320 photos of Linarite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 314 photos of Linarite associated with Anglesite | PbSO4 |
| 276 photos of Linarite associated with Galena | PbS |
| 101 photos of Linarite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
| 100 photos of Linarite associated with Serpierite | Ca(Cu2+,Zn2+)4(S6+O4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 99 photos of Linarite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.BC. | Viskontite | Pb5Cu2(SO4)3(SeO3)(OH)6 |
| 7.BC. | Zincochenite | Pb4Zn(OH)6(SO4)2 |
| 7.BC. | D'Ansite-(Mn) | Na21Mn2+(SO4)10Cl3 |
| 7.BC. | D'Ansite-(Fe) | Na21Fe2+(SO4)10Cl3 |
| 7.BC. | Acmonidesite | (NH4,K,Pb)8NaFe2+4(SO4)5Cl8 |
| 7.BC. | Adranosite | (NH4)4NaAl2(SO4)4Cl(OH)2 |
| 7.BC. | Chromviskontite | Pb5Cu2(CrO4)3(SeO3)(OH)6 |
| 7.BC. | Backite | Pb2AlTeO6Cl |
| 7.BC. | Adranosite-(Fe) | (NH4)4NaFe3+2(SO4)4Cl(OH)2 |
| 7.BC. | Agaite | Pb3CuTeO5(OH)2(CO3) |
| 7.BC. | Wildcatite | CaFe3+Te6+O5(OH) |
| 7.BC. | Hagstromite | Pb8Cu2+(Te6+O6)2(CO3)Cl4 |
| 7.BC.05 | D'Ansite | Na21Mg(SO4)10Cl3 |
| 7.BC.07 | 'Apatelite' | Fe3(SO4)2(OH)5 · 0.5H2O |
| 7.BC.07 | 'Unnamed (Ba-Fe Vanadate)' | Ba, Fe, V, O, H |
| 7.BC.10 | Jarosite | KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Dorallcharite | TlFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Argentojarosite | AgFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Natroalunite | NaAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Natrojarosite | NaFe3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Beaverite-(Cu) | Pb(Fe3+2Cu)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Beaverite-(Zn) | Pb(Fe3+2Zn)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Walthierite | Ba0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Huangite | Ca0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | 'Natroalunite-2c' | (Na,Ca0.5,K)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Alunite | KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Plumbojarosite | Pb0.5Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Karlseifertite | Pb(Ga2Ge)(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Hydroniumjarosite | (H3O)Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Ammonioalunite | (NH4)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Ammoniojarosite | (NH4)Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Osarizawaite | Pb(Al2Cu2+)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Schlossmacherite | (H3O)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.15 | Ye'elimite | Ca4Al6(SO4)O12 |
| 7.BC.20 | Nabokoite | KCu7(SO4)5(Te4+O3)OCl |
| 7.BC.20 | Puninite | Na2Cu3O(SO4)3 |
| 7.BC.20 | Atlasovite | K(BiO)Cu6Fe3+(SO4)5O3Cl |
| 7.BC.25 | Chlorothionite | K2Cu(SO4)Cl2 |
| 7.BC.30 | Euchlorine | KNaCu3(SO4)3O |
| 7.BC.30 | Fedotovite | K2Cu3(SO4)3O |
| 7.BC.35 | Kamchatkite | KCu3(SO4)2OCl |
| 7.BC.40 | Piypite | K4Cu4O2(SO4)4 · (Na,Cu)Cl |
| 7.BC.45 | Alumoklyuchevskite | K3Cu3(Al,Fe3+)(SO4)4O2 |
| 7.BC.45 | Belousovite | KZn(SO4)Cl |
| 7.BC.45 | Klyuchevskite | K3Cu3(Fe3+,Al)(SO4)4O2 |
| 7.BC.47 | Müllerite | Pb2Fe3+(Te6+O6)Cl |
| 7.BC.50 | Caledonite | Pb5Cu2(SO4)3(CO3)(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.50 | Elasmochloite | Na3Cu6BiO4(SO4)5 |
| 7.BC.52 | Eleomelanite | (K2Pb)Cu4O2(SO4)4 |
| 7.BC.55 | Falgarite | K4(VO)3(SO4)5 |
| 7.BC.55 | Wherryite | Pb7Cu2(SO4)4(SiO4)2(OH)2 |
| 7.BC.57 | Krasheninnikovite | KNa2CaMg(SO4)3F |
| 7.BC.60 | Wulffite | K3NaCu4O2(SO4)4 |
| 7.BC.60 | Parawulffite | K5Na3Cu8O4(SO4)8 |
| 7.BC.60 | Mammothite | Pb6Cu4AlSb5+O2(OH)16Cl4(SO4)2 |
| 7.BC.62 | Shuvalovite | K2(Ca2Na)(SO4)3F |
| 7.BC.65 | Saccoite | Ca2Mn3+2F(OH)8 · 0.5(SO4) |
| 7.BC.65 | Therasiaite | (NH4)3KNa2Fe2+Fe3+(SO4)3Cl5 |
| 7.BC.65 | Franksousaite | PbCu(Se6+O4)(OH)2 |
| 7.BC.65 | Munakataite | Pb2Cu2(Se4+O3)(SO4)(OH)4 |
| 7.BC.65 | Schmiederite | Pb2Cu2(Se6+O4)(Se4+O3)(OH)4 |
| 7.BC.70 | Chenite | Pb4Cu(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.75 | Krivovichevite | Pb3Al(OH)6(SO4)(OH) |
| 7.BC.80 | Anhydrokainite | KMg(SO4)Cl |
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 Linarite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2403.html
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References for Linarite
Reference List:
Lévy, Armand (1838) Description d'une collection de minéraux, formée par m. Henri Heuland, et appartenant à m. C.H. Hampden Turner, de Rooksnest, dans le comté de Surrey en Angleterre. Tome Deuxiéme Vol. 2. F. Richter et Haas.as Plomb sulfaté cuprifère
Phillips, William, Alger, Francis (1844) An Elementary Treatise on Mineralogy (5th ed.) William D. Ticknor & Co., Boston, MA. p.552
Koksharov, Nikolai (1866) Materialien zur Mineralogie Russlands Vol. 5. Carl Kray, St. Petersburg. p.206
Brugnatelli (1897) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 28: 307.
Lacroix, A. (1910) Minéralogie de la France et de ses colonies Vol. 4. Library Polytechnique, Paris. p.152
Bachmann, H. G., Zemann, J. (1961) Die Kristallstruktur von Linarit PbCuSO4(OH)2. Acta Crystallographica, 14 (7) 747-753 doi:10.1107/s0365110x61002254
Araki, Takaharu (1962) The crystal structure of linarite, reexamined. Mineralogical Journal, 3 (5) 282-295 doi:10.2465/minerj1953.3.282
Effenberger, H. (1987) Crystal structure and chemical formula of schmiederite, Pb2Cu2(OH)4(SeO3)(SeO4), with a comparison to linarite, PbCu(OH)2(SO4) Mineralogy and Petrology, 36 (1) 3-12 doi:10.1007/bf01164365
Cook, Robert B. (2006) Connoisseur's Choice: Linarite, Mammoth-St. Anthony Mine, Tiger, Pinal County, Arizona. Rocks & Minerals, 81 (3). 208-213 doi:10.3200/rmin.81.3.208-213
Localities for Linarite
Showing 1,220 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.
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Grand Reef Mine, Laurel Canyon, Grand Reef Mountain, Klondyke, Aravaipa Mining District, Graham County, Arizona, USA