Spertiniite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Spertiniite
Francesco Spertini
Formula:
Cu(OH)2
Colour:
Light blue, blue-green
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Silky
Specific Gravity:
3.93
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after Francesco Spertini (b. 1937), chief geologist, Jeffrey mine, Richmond County, Québec, Canada, the discovery locality.
Chemically similar to anthonyite. Also compare 'UM1974-06-O:CuH'.
In terms of chemistry alone, it is the Cu analogue of wülfingite, which is also orthorhombic but has different space group (different structure anyway).
In terms of chemistry alone, it is the Cu analogue of wülfingite, which is also orthorhombic but has different space group (different structure anyway).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3724
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3724:8
IMA Classification of Spertiniite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+(OH)2
Approval year:
1980
First published:
1981
Classification of Spertiniite
4.FD.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
D : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
D : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
6.2.4.1
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
2 : X(OH)2
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
2 : X(OH)2
7.3.4
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
3 : Oxides of Cu
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
3 : Oxides 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sni | 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 Spertiniite
Sub-Vitreous, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Light blue, blue-green
Comment:
Soft
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
3.93(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.94 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured in Clerici solution
Optical Data of Spertiniite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.720(2) nγ = 1.800(2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.080
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
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X = colorless; Z = dark blue
Chemistry of Spertiniite
Mindat Formula:
Cu(OH)2
Elements listed:
CAS Registry number:
Crystallography of Spertiniite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Cmc21
Cell Parameters:
a = 2.951(1) Å, b = 10.592(3) Å, c = 5.257(3) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.279 : 1 : 0.496
Unit Cell V:
164.3 ų
Z:
4
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010212 | Spertiniite | Oswald H R, Reller A, Schmalle H W, Dubler E (1990) Structure of copper(II) hydroxide, Cu(OH)2 Acta Crystallographica C46 2279-2284 |  | 1990 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0011836 | Spertiniite | Wyckoff R W G (1963) Second edition. Interscience Publishers, New York, New York Crystal Structures 1 290-295 | 1963 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.29 Å | (80) |
| 3.73 Å | (90) |
| 2.63 Å | (100) |
| 2.50 Å | (60) |
| 2.361 Å | (50) |
| 2.266 Å | (70) |
| 1.718 Å | (70) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Spertiniite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small botryoidal aggregates, rarely fibrous and pale blue.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural Sciences, Ottawa, Canada (NMNS 44696).
Cotype material (NMNS 44697, 44698 and 44699).
Cotype material (NMNS 44697, 44698 and 44699).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Rodingite dyke near the contact with host serpentinized dunite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Spertiniite
Other Language Names for Spertiniite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Spertiniite associated with Cuprite | Cu2O |
| 4 photos of Spertiniite associated with Native Copper | Cu |
| 4 photos of Spertiniite associated with Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 3 photos of Spertiniite associated with Likasite | Cu3(NO3)(OH)5 · 2H2O |
| 2 photos of Spertiniite associated with Sidpietersite | Pb2+4(S2O3)O2(OH)2 |
| 2 photos of Spertiniite associated with Tenorite | CuO |
| 2 photos of Spertiniite associated with Native Silver | Ag |
| 2 photos of Spertiniite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Spertiniite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 1 photo of Spertiniite associated with Hydroromarchite | Sn3O2(OH)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FD.10 | Diaspore | AlO(OH) |
| 4.FD.10 | Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 4.FD.10 | Montroseite | (V3+,Fe3+)O(OH) |
| 4.FD.10 | Tsumgallite | GaO(OH) |
| 4.FD.10 | Groutite | Mn3+O(OH) |
| 4.FD.10 | Bracewellite | CrO(OH) |
| 4.FD.10 | Guyanaite | CrO(OH) |
| 4.FD.15 | Manganite | Mn3+O(OH) |
| 4.FD.20 | Yttrotungstite-(Y) | YW2O7(OH) · H2O |
| 4.FD.20 | Yttrotungstite-(Ce) | CeW2O7(OH) · H2O |
| 4.FD.25 | Frankhawthorneite | Cu2Te6+O4(OH)2 |
| 4.FD.30 | 'Khinite-3T' | Pb2+Cu2+3Te6+O6(OH)2 |
| 4.FD.30 | Housleyite | Pb6CuTe6+4O18(OH)2 |
| 4.FD.30 | Khinite | Pb2+Cu2+3[Te6+O6](OH)2 |
Fluorescence of Spertiniite
No UV fluorescence.
Other Information
Notes:
Synthetic material is soluble in cold water, decomposes in hot water and is soluble in acids.
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 Spertiniite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3724.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Spertiniite
Reference List:
Allmand, Arthur John (1910) Affinity relations of cupric oxide and of cupric hydroxide. J. Chem. Soc., Trans., 97. 603-621 doi:10.1039/ct9109700603
Schwarzmann, Einhard (1962) Zusammenhang zwischen OH‐Valenzfrequenzen und OH…OH‐ bzw. OH…OH‐Abständen in festen Hydroxiden. Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, 317 (3-4). 176-185 doi:10.1002/zaac.19623170305
Fleischer, Michael; Chao, George Y.; Mandarino, Joseph A. (1982) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 67 (7-8). p.854-860. p.860
Localities for Spertiniite
Showing 29 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 | |
| Vic Cloete collection |
Canada (TL) | |
| 179-181. +3 other references |
| Horváth et al. (1990) |
China | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) | |
France | |
| Chollet et al. (2013) |
Germany | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2000) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) |
| |
| International Association of Collectors of Slag Minerals (3) +1 other reference | |
| 58 (in German) +1 other reference |
| Schnorrer-Köhler et al. (1991) | |
| Collection of Elmar Lackner |
| Knoll (2004) |
Italy | |
| Ciriotti et al. (2021) |
| Ciriotti et al. (2021) |
| Ciriotti et al. (2021) | |
| Ciriotti et al. (2021) |
Jordan | |
| Kim et al. (2021) |
Kazakhstan | |
| first finds in the USSR. Novye Dannye o Mineralakh SSSR et al. (in Russian) +2 other references |
Namibia | |
| Keller et al. (1986) |
Romania | |
| Szakáll et al. (2014) |
Russia | |
| webmineral.ru (2020) |
| Savva et al. (2019) |
| Savva et al. (2023) |
Spain | |
| Rewitzer et al. (2019) |
| Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022) |
USA | |
| Graeme (1993) +1 other reference |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) |
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Jeffrey Mine, Val-des-Sources, Les Sources RCM, Estrie, Québec, Canada