General Information:
Chemical Formula:
(Zn,Cu)6Zn2(OH)13[(S,Si)(O,OH)4]2
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 933.60 gm)
Zinc 45.53 % Zn
Silicon 1.50 % Si
Copper 10.21 % Cu
Hydrogen 1.62 % H
Sulfur 5.15 % S
Oxygen 35.99 % O
Empirical Formula:
Zn4.5Cu1.5Zn2OH132(S0.75)2(Si0.25)2(O3)2(OH)
Environment:
Alteration product of copper and zinc orebodies.
IMA Status:
Approved IMA 1995
Locality:
The dump of the Tonopah-Belmont mine, Osborne silver-gold district, Maricopa County, Arizona USA.
Name Origin:
Named after Dr. Karl Becherer (1926-) of the University of Vienna, in recognition of his contributions to the mineralogy of Spangolite from Lavrion.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[001] Perfect
Color:
light green.
Density:
3.45 - 3.49, Average = 3.47
Diaphaniety:
Transparent
Habits:
Druse - Crystal growth in a cavity which results in numerous crystal tipped surfaces., Spherical - Spherical, rounded aggregates., Acicular - Occurs as needle-like crystals.
Hardness:
2.5-3 - Finger Nail-Calcite
Luminescence:
Non-fluorescent.
Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak:
white
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