Buttgenbachite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Buttgenbachite
Henri J.F. Buttgenbach
Formula:
Cu19(NO3)2(OH)32Cl4 · 2H2O
Colour:
Deep blue; blue in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named in 1925 by A. Schoep for Henri Buttgenbach (Verviers, Liège province, Belgium February 5, 1874 - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe, Brussels, April 29, 1964), a Belgian mineralogist. He worked in Congo, and from 1921 on was a professor at the University of Liège. He described several minerals and wrote 'Les minéraux de Belgique et de Congo Belge', a reference work.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
811
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:811:4
IMA Classification of Buttgenbachite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu2+36(N5+O3)2Cl6(OH)64·nH2O
Classification of Buttgenbachite
3.DA.25
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
A : With Cu, etc., without Pb
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
A : With Cu, etc., without Pb
Dana 7th ed.:
19.2.2.1
19.1.2.1
19 : NITRATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : Anhydrous Nitrates Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
19 : NITRATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : Anhydrous Nitrates Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
13.7
13 : Nitrates
13 : Nitrates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bba | 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 Buttgenbachite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Deep blue; blue in transmitted light.
Streak:
Light blue
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Optical Data of Buttgenbachite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.738 nε = 1.752
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.014
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Buttgenbachite
Mindat Formula:
Cu19(NO3)2(OH)32Cl4 · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Buttgenbachite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P63/mmc
Cell Parameters:
a = 15.75 Å, c = 9.161 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.582
Unit Cell V:
1968.04 ų
Z:
1
Morphology:
Crystals acicular [0001] and striated [0001]; radiating groups of needles; felted aggregates.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014920 | Buttgenbachite | Hibbs D E, Leverett P, Williams P A (2002) Buttgenbachite from Bisbee, Arizona, USA: A single-crystal X-ray study Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 2002 225-240 | 2002 | Bisbee, Arizona, USA | 0 | 293 | |
| 0014460 | Buttgenbachite | Fanfani L, Nunzi A, Zanazzi P F, Zanzari A R (1973) The crystal structure of buttgenbachite Mineralogical Magazine 39 264-270 |  | 1973 | Likasi, Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0018303 | Buttgenbachite | Hibbs D E, Leverett P, Williams P A (2003) A single crystal X-ray study of a sulphate-bearing buttgenbachite, Cu36Cl7.8(NO3)1.3(SO4)0.35(OH)62.2.5.2H2O, and a re-examination of the crystal chemistry of the buttgenbachite-connellite series Mineralogical Magazine 67 47-60 | | 2003 | Likasi, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 288 |
| 0018302 | Buttgenbachite | Hibbs D E, Leverett P, Williams P A (2003) A single crystal X-ray study of a sulphate-bearing buttgenbachite, Cu36Cl7.8(NO3)1.3(SO4)0.35(OH)62.2*5.2H2O, and a re-examination of the crystal chemistry of the buttgenbachite-connellite series Mineralogical Magazine 67 47-60 | | 2003 | Likasi, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 100 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 13.70 Å | (100) |
| 7.95 Å | (100) |
| 3.27 Å | (70) |
| 2.75 Å | (100) |
| 2.51 Å | (70) |
| 2.30 Å | (100) |
| 1.621 Å | (90) |
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] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 53 : Other minerals with taphonomic origins | <0.4 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Buttgenbachite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Laboratory of Mineralogy, University of Liège.
Synonyms of Buttgenbachite
Other Language Names for Buttgenbachite
Relationship of Buttgenbachite to other Species
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 26 photos of Buttgenbachite associated with Cuprite | Cu2O |
| 15 photos of Buttgenbachite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 10 photos of Buttgenbachite associated with Gerhardtite | Cu2(NO3)(OH)3 |
| 7 photos of Buttgenbachite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| 4 photos of Buttgenbachite associated with Rouaite | Cu2(NO3)(OH)3 |
| 3 photos of Buttgenbachite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 3 photos of Buttgenbachite associated with Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 2 photos of Buttgenbachite associated with Paramelaconite | Cu+2Cu2+2O3 |
| 1 photo of Buttgenbachite associated with Likasite | Cu3(NO3)(OH)5 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Buttgenbachite associated with Native Copper | Cu |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.DA. | Parahibbingite | Fe2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA. | Centennialite | CaCu3Cl2(OH)6 · nH2O (n ~ 0.7) |
| 3.DA. | Bounahasite | Cu+Cu2+2(OH)3Cl2 |
| 3.DA. | Muonionalustaite | Ni3(OH)4Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 3.DA.05 | Melanothallite | Cu2Cl2O |
| 3.DA.10c | Haydeeite | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10b | Clinoatacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Paratacamite | Cu3(Cu,Zn)(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Kapellasite | Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Leverettite | Cu3Co(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10a | Hibbingite | Fe2+2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Paratacamite-(Ni) | Cu3(Ni,Cu)(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10a | Kempite | Mn2+2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Tondiite | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10a | Atacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10b | Belloite | Cu(OH)Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Misakiite | Cu3Mn(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10b | Iyoite | MnCuCl(OH)3 |
| 3.DA.10c | Kuliginite | Fe3Mg(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Gillardite | Cu3Ni(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10b | 'Unnamed (Cu-Zn Chloride Hydroxide)' | CuZnCl(OH)3 |
| 3.DA.10b | Botallackite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Herbertsmithite | Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.15 | Claringbullite | Cu4ClF(OH)6 |
| 3.DA.15 | Barlowite | Cu4BrF(OH)6 |
| 3.DA.20 | Simonkolleite | Zn5Cl2(OH)8 · H2O |
| 3.DA.25 | Connellite | Cu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O |
| 3.DA.30 | Abhurite | Sn21Cl16(OH)14O6 |
| 3.DA.35 | Ponomarevite | K4Cu4Cl10O |
| 3.DA.40 | Calumetite | CaCu4(OH)8Cl2 · 3.5H2O |
| 3.DA.40 | Anthonyite | Cu(OH,Cl)2 · 3H2O |
| 3.DA.45 | Khaidarkanite | Cu4Al3(OH)14F3 · 2H2O |
| 3.DA.50 | Bobkingite | Cu5Cl2(OH)8 · 2H2O |
| 3.DA.55 | Avdoninite | K2Cu5(OH)4Cl8 · H2O |
| 3.DA.60 | Droninoite | Ni6Fe3+2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 3.DA.70 | Chrysothallite | K6Cu6Tl3+Cl17(OH)4 · H2O |
| 3.DA.70 | Dioskouriite | CaCu4Cl6(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 3.DA.75 | Feodosiyite | Cu11Mg2Cl18(OH)8 · 16H2O |
| 3.DA.80 | Romanorlovite | K8Cu6Cl17(OH)3 |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in acids and in ammonium hydroxide. Insoluble in water.
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 Buttgenbachite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-811.html
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References for Buttgenbachite
Reference List:
Bannister, F. A., Hey, Max H., Claringbull, G. F. (1950) Connellite, buttgenbachite, and tallingite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 29 (211) 280-286 doi:10.1180/minmag.1950.029.211.04
Fanfani, L., Nunzi, A., Zanazzi, P. F., Zanzari, A. R. (1973) The crystal structure of buttgenbachite. Mineralogical Magazine, 39 (303) 264-270 doi:10.1180/minmag.1973.039.303.02
Hibbs, David E., Leverett, Peter, Williams, Peter A. (2002) Buttgenbachite from Bisbee, Arizona, USA: a single-crystal X-ray study. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Monatshefte, 2002 (5) 225-240 doi:10.1127/0028-3649/2002/2002-0225
Frost, Ray L., Williams, Peter A., Martens, Wayde, Kloprogge, J. Theo (2002) Raman spectroscopy of the polyanionic copper(II) minerals buttgenbachite and connellite: implications for studies of ancient copper objects and bronzes. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 33 (9). 752-757 doi:10.1002/jrs.917
Hibbs, D. E., Leverett, P., Williams, P. A. (2003) A single crystal X-ray study of a sulphate-bearing buttgenbachite, Cu36Cl7.8(NO3)1.3(SO4)0.35(OH)62.2.5.2H2O, and a re-examination of the crystal chemistry of the buttgenbachite-connellite series. Mineralogical Magazine, 67 (1) 47-60 doi:10.1180/0026461036710083
Localities for Buttgenbachite
Showing 18 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 | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy Vol V |
| Sharpe et al. (2000) | |
DR Congo | |
| Lhoest (1992) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +2 other references |
| Deliens (1996) |
| Personal communication from Jasun ... |
| Joy Desor (Raman analysis) +1 other reference | |
Italy | |
| Francesco Bonotti Collection |
Norway | |
| Witsø (1995) |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
USA | |
| Hibbs et al. (2006) |
| Hibbs et al. (2006) |
| Williams et al. (1963) +1 other reference |
| Williams et al. (1963) +1 other reference | |
| Morris (1983) |
| Rosemeyer (2007) | |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
Quick NavTopAbout ButtgenbachiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Likasi Mine, Likasi, Kambove Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo