Strashimirite

Strashimirite
General
Category Arsenate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Cu8(AsO4)4(OH)4·5(H2O)
Strunz classification 8.DC.12 (10 ed)
7/D.07-20 (8 ed)
Dana classification 42.6.5.1
Crystal system Monoclinic
Unknown space group
Space group P2/m, P2, or Pm
Unit cell a = 9.71 Å, b = 18.81 Å
c = 8.94 Å; β = 97.2°; Z = 3
Identification
Color White, pale green
Crystal habit Elongated, tabular crystals; crusts; radiating aggregates
Cleavage Parting at right angle to elongation
Mohs scale hardness 2.5 - 3
Luster Greasy, pearly
Diaphaneity Semitransparent
Specific gravity 3.67 (calculated)
Optical properties Biaxial (-)
Refractive index nα = 1.726 nγ = 1.747
Birefringence δ = 0.021
Pleochroism Weak; Y = very pale yellowish green; Z = yellowish green
2V angle 70°
References [1][2][3][4][5]

Strashimirite is a rare monoclinic mineral containing arsenic, copper, hydrogen, and oxygen. It has the chemical formula Cu8(AsO4)4(OH)4·5(H2O).[6][7]

This mineral was discovered in Zapachitsa (Zapacica) copper deposit, Svoge, Sofia Oblast, Bulgaria in 1960, by the Bulgarian mineralogist Jordanka Minceva-Stefanova.[8] She named the mineral after Strashimir Dimitrov (1892-1960), Professor in Mineralogy and Petrography at Sofia University "St Kliment Ohridski", Bulgaria.[9] The International Mineralogical Association approved it as a new mineral in 1968.[10]

It occurs as a secondary mineral phase in the oxidation zone of copper arsenide deposits. It occurs associated with tyrolite, cornwallite, clinoclase, euchroite, olivenite, parnauite, goudeyite, arthurite, metazeunerite, chalcophyllite, cyanotrichite, scorodite, pharmacosiderite, brochantite, azurite, malachite and chrysocolla.[1]

Although it remains quite rare, strashimirite has subsequently been identified in a number of locations including: Novoveska Huta in the Czech Republic; on the west flank of Cherbadung (Pizzo Cervandone), Binntal, Valais, Switzerland; in Kamsdorf and Saalfeld, Thuringia, Germany; the Clara mine, near Oberwolfach, Black Forest, Germany; in the Richelsdorf Mountains, Hesse, Germany; Cap Garonne mine, near le Pradet, Var, and Triembach-au-Val, Haut-Rhin, France; Wheals Gorland and Unity, Gwennap, Cornwall, England; the Tynagh mine, near Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland; the Majuba Hill mine, Antelope district, Pershing Co. Nevada, US; and the Centennial Eureka mine, Tintic district, Juab Co., Utah, US.[1]

See also

List of minerals named after people

Notes

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