Chalcocyanite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Chalcocyanite
Formula:
CuSO4
Colour:
Colourless, light green, brownish, yellowish, sky-blue; colourless in transitted light
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
3.65
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
From the Greek for "copper" and "azure-blue" in allusion to the composition and the property of its turning blue when exposed to moist air.
Soluble in H2O and very hygroscopic, altering to chalcanthite.
Chemically and structurally related to dravertite.
Chemically and structurally related to dravertite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
963
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:963:6
IMA Classification of Chalcocyanite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu2+S6+O4
First published:
1873
Type description reference:
Classification of Chalcocyanite
7.AB.10
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
28.3.3.1
28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
3 : AXO4
28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
3 : AXO4
25.2.1
25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag
25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ccy | 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 Chalcocyanite
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, light green, brownish, yellowish, sky-blue; colourless in transitted light
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Density:
3.65(5) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.89 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Chalcocyanite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.724(3) nβ = 1.733(3) nγ = 1.739(3)
2V:
Measured: 70° , Calculated: 78°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.015
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:
r > v medium
Comments:
2V (measured) is large
Chemistry of Chalcocyanite
Mindat Formula:
CuSO4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Chalcocyanite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.709(1) Å, b = 8.409(1) Å, c = 4.833(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.798 : 1 : 0.575
Unit Cell V:
272.66 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals frequently tabular {010} and slightly elongated [001].
Comment:
Space Group: P nmb
Crystallographic forms of Chalcocyanite
Crystal Atlas:
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Chalcocyanite no.1 - {010} - 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014619 | Chalcocyanite | Wildner M, Giester G (1988) Crystal structure refinements of synthetic chalcocyanite (CuSO4) and zincosite (ZnSO4) Mineralogy and Petrology 39 201-209 | 1988 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.549 Å | (100) |
| 2.62 Å | (95b) |
| 4.187 Å | (75) |
| 2.42 Å | (50b) |
| 1.775 Å | (30) |
| 1.433 Å | (20) |
| 1.430 Å | (18) |
Comments:
Synthetic
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Geological Setting:
Sublimates near volcanic fumaroles.
Type Occurrence of Chalcocyanite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Sublimates
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Active volcanic fumaroles.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Chalcocyanite
Other Language Names for Chalcocyanite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 16 photos of Chalcocyanite associated with Euchlorine | KNaCu3(SO4)3O |
| 13 photos of Chalcocyanite associated with Dolerophanite | Cu2(SO4)O |
| 11 photos of Chalcocyanite associated with Tenorite | CuO |
| 3 photos of Chalcocyanite associated with Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| 3 photos of Chalcocyanite associated with Fedotovite | K2Cu3(SO4)3O |
| 2 photos of Chalcocyanite associated with Klyuchevskite | K3Cu3(Fe3+,Al)(SO4)4O2 |
| 2 photos of Chalcocyanite associated with Eriochalcite | CuCl2 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.AB. | Dravertite | CuMg(SO4)2 |
| 7.AB. | Andymcdonaldite | Fe2TeO6 |
| 7.AB. | Dagenaisite | Zn3Te6+O6 |
| 7.AB.05 | Mikasaite | Fe2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AB.05 | Millosevichite | Al2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AB.05 | Koryakite | NaKMg2Al2(SO4)6 |
| 7.AB.10 | Zinkosite | ZnSO4 |
| 7.AB.15 | Hermannjahnite | CuZn(SO4)2 |
| 7.AB.25 | Ottoite | Pb2TeO5 |
| 7.AB.55 | Mcalpineite | Cu3(Te6+O6) |
Other Information
Notes:
Extremely hygroscopic. Readily soluble in water. Turns blue on exposure and may crumble to a powder of chalcanthite.
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 Chalcocyanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-963.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Chalcocyanite
Reference List:
Wildner, M., Giester, G. (1988) Crystal structure refinements of synthetic chalcocyanite (CUSO4) and zincosite (ZnSO4) Mineralogy and Petrology, 39 (3) 201-209 doi:10.1007/bf01163035
Ibrahim, Mukaila A., Boeré, René T. (2022) The copper sulfate hydration cycle. Crystal structures of CuSO4 (Chalcocyanite), CuSO4·H2O (Poitevinite), CuSO4·3H2O (Bonattite) and CuSO4·5H2O (Chalcanthite) at low temperature using non-spherical atomic scattering factors. New Journal of Chemistry, 46 (12) 5479-5488 doi:10.1039/d2nj00169a
Localities for Chalcocyanite
Showing 24 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.
Bulgaria | |
| Atanassova et al. (2009) |
DR Congo | |
| Forrest Group |
| Haest et al. (2009) |
El Salvador | |
| Stoiber et al. (1974) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Witzke et al. (1998) |
Indonesia | |
| Symonds (1993) |
Italy | |
| Maletto et al. (2016) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Pelloux (1927) +2 other references | |
| Pellino et al. (2025) | |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) |
Mexico | |
| Taran et al. (2000) |
Poland | |
| Kruszewski et al. (2020) |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Pekov et al. (2018) |
| Pekov et al. (2015) | |
| Bykova et al. (1998) | |
| Pekov et al. (2014) | |
| Sharygin et al. (2018) |
| Kasatkin et al. (2014) |
USA | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
Quick NavTopAbout ChalcocyaniteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystallographic forms Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Treschina fumarole, Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Fissure eruption, Tolbachik Volcanic field, Milkovsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia