Reichenbachite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Reichenbachite
Formula:
Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4
Colour:
Dark green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
4.35 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after its discovery locality.
Type Locality:
Polymorph of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3385
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3385:1
IMA Classification of Reichenbachite
Classification of Reichenbachite
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
41.4.3.2
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
19.2.3
19 : Phosphates
2 : Phosphates of Cu
19 : Phosphates
2 : Phosphates 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rbh | 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 Reichenbachite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Dark green
Streak:
Light green
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.35 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Could not be measured due to lack of material.
Optical Data of Reichenbachite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.782 nβ = 1.833 nγ = 1.867
2V:
Measured: 76° , Calculated: 76°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.085
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
Weak, r < v
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ a = 29(2)°.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Very weak; X = bright emerald-green; Z = emerald-green.
Chemistry of Reichenbachite
Mindat Formula:
Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Reichenbachite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.186(2) Å, b = 10.684(2) Å, c = 4.461(2) Å
β = 92.31(1)°
β = 92.31(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.86 : 1 : 0.418
Unit Cell V:
437.46 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Lancet-shaped crystals.
Comment:
SG P21/a
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000558 | Reichenbachite | Anderson J B, Shoemaker G L, Kostiner E, Ruszala F A (1977) The crystal structure of synthetic Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4, a polymorph of pseudomalachite American Mineralogist 62 115-121 |  | 1977 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.470 Å | (100) |
| 2.10 Å | (100) |
| 3.132 Å | (30) |
| 3.012 Å | (30) |
| 2.814 Å | (25) |
| 2.945 Å | (20) |
| 2.357 Å | (20) |
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 Reichenbachite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crystals to 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.06 mm, lancet-shaped, and often intergrown with pseudomalachite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Mainz, Germany.
Mineralogical Museum, Wurzburg University, Wurzburg, Germany.
Mineralogical Museum, Wurzburg University, Wurzburg, Germany.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Silicified barite veins in diorites, gabbros, and ortho- and paragneisses.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Reichenbachite
Other Language Names for Reichenbachite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 25 photos of Reichenbachite associated with Pseudomalachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 25 photos of Reichenbachite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 9 photos of Reichenbachite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5 photos of Reichenbachite associated with Kipushite | (Cu,Zn)5Zn(PO4)2(OH)6 · H2O |
| 4 photos of Reichenbachite associated with Pyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3Cl |
| 4 photos of Reichenbachite associated with Ludjibaite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 3 photos of Reichenbachite associated with Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 2 photos of Reichenbachite associated with Zapatalite | Cu3Al4(PO4)3(OH)9 · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Reichenbachite associated with Crandallite | CaAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 1 photo of Reichenbachite associated with Agardite-(Y) | YCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BD. | Antipovite | Cu5O2(PO4)2 |
| 8.BD.05 | Cornwallite | Cu5(AsO4)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 Reichenbachite
Not fluorescent.
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 Reichenbachite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3385.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Reichenbachite
Reference List:
Anderson, James B., Shoemaker, Gerald L., Kostiner, Edward, Ruszala, F. A. (1977) The crystal structure of synthetic Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4, a polymorph of pseudomalachite. American Mineralogist, 62 (1-2) 115-121
Sieber, Norbert H. W., Tillmanns, Ekkehart, Medenbach, Olaf (1987) Hentschelite, CuFe2(PO4)2(OH)2, a new member of the lazulite group, and reichenbachite, Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4, a polymorph of pseudomalachite, two new copper phosphate minerals from Reichenbach, Germany. American Mineralogist, 72 (3-4) 404-408
Braithwaite, R. S. W., Ryback, G. (1994) Reichenbachite from Cornwall and Portugal. Mineralogical Magazine, 58 (392) 449-454 doi:10.1180/minmag.1994.058.392.09
Frost, Ray L, Kloprogge, Theo, Williams, Peter A, Martens, Wayde, Johnson, Therese E, Leverett, Peter (2002) Vibrational spectroscopy of the basic copper phosphate minerals: pseudomalachite, ludjibaite and reichenbachite. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 58 (13) 2861-2868 doi:10.1016/s1386-1425(02)00034-3
Frost, Ray L., Williams, Peter A., Martens, Wayde, Kloprogge, J. Theo, Leverett, Peter (2002) Raman spectroscopy of the basic copper phosphate minerals cornetite, libethenite, pseudomalachite, reichenbachite and ludjibaite. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 33 (4). 260-263 doi:10.1002/jrs.850
Martens, Wayde N., Frost, Ray L., Williams, Peter A. (2003) The basic copper phosphate minerals pseudomalachite, ludjibaite and reichenbachite: an infrared emission and Raman spectroscopic study. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Monatshefte, 2003 (8) 337-362 doi:10.1127/0028-3649/2003/2003-0337
Frost, Ray L., Reddy, B. Jagannadha, Palmer, Sara J., Keeffe, Eloise C. (2011) Structure of selected basic zinc/copper (II) phosphate minerals based upon near-infrared spectroscopy – Implications for hydrogen bonding. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 78 (3) 996-1003 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2010.12.014
Kharbish, Sherif, Andráš, Peter, Luptáková, Jarmila, Milovská, Stanislava (2014) Raman spectra of oriented and non-oriented Cu hydroxy-phosphate minerals: Libethenite, cornetite, pseudomalachite, reichenbachite and ludjibaite. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 130. 152-163 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2014.01.144
Krivovichev, Sergey V., Zolotarev, Andrey A., Popova, Valentina I. (2016) Hydrogen bonding and structural complexity in the Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 polymorphs (pseudomalachite, ludjibaite, reichenbachite): combined experimental and theoretical study. Structural Chemistry, 27 (6). 1715-1723 doi:10.1007/s11224-016-0820-z
Localities for Reichenbachite
Showing 31 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 | |
| Museum Victoria collection |
| Sharpe et al. (2022) |
Czech Republic | |
| collected by J. Hlousek |
DR Congo | |
| Deliens (1996) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2009) |
Germany | |
| Wittern (2001) +1 other reference |
| Volker Heck Collection |
| Krause et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Collection of Steffen Michalski |
| Collection of Steffen Michalski | |
| P Haas collection (specimen no. 72-170) | |
| Collection of Steffen Michalski | |
| Sieber et al. (1987) | |
| Petitjean et al. (2000) |
| Collection of Steffen Michalski | |
| Collection of Steffen Michalski |
| ... +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Witzke (1994) |
Portugal | |
| Alves (n.d.) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1994) |
Slovakia | |
| Hyršl (1991) |
| Števko et al. (2016) | |
South Africa | |
| Leon Hupperichs collection |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar (2015) |
| Cesar Menor Salvan |
UK | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Grant et al. (2005) |
| Jerry Cone Collection |
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Point 5.0, Borstein, Reichenbach, Lautertal, Bergstraße, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany