General Information:
Chemical Formula:
CuSiO2(OH)2
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 157.64 gm)
Silicon 17.82 % Si
Copper 40.31 % Cu
Hydrogen 1.28 % H
Oxygen 40.60 % O
Empirical Formula:
CuSiO2(OH)2
Environment:
Secondary mineral in oxidized zones of copper deposits.
Locality:
Tsumeb and Cochab, Namibia. Altyn Tube, Russia.
Name Origin:
From the Greek, dia - "through" and optomai - "vision."
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[1011] Good
Color:
dark blue green, emerald green, or turquoise.
Density:
3.28 - 3.35, Average = 3.31
Diaphaniety:
Transparent to translucent
Habits:
Massive - Uniformly indistinguishable crystals forming large masses., Cryptocrystalline - Occurs as crystals too small to distinguish with the naked eye., Crystalline - Coarse - Occur s as well-formed coarse sized crystals.
Hardness:
5 - Apatite
Luminescence:
None.
Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak:
green
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