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⇱ Spertiniite: Mineral information, data and localities.

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Spertiniite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About SpertiniiteHide

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Formula:
Cu(OH)2
Colour:
Light blue, blue-green
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Silky
Specific Gravity:
3.93
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after Francesco Spertini (b. 1937), chief geologist, Jeffrey mine, Richmond County, Québec, Canada, the discovery locality.
Chemically similar to anthonyite. Also compare 'UM1974-06-O:CuH'.

In terms of chemistry alone, it is the Cu analogue of wülfingite, which is also orthorhombic but has different space group (different structure anyway).


Unique IdentifiersHide

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Mindat ID:
3724
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3724:8

IMA Classification of SpertiniiteHide

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Approved
Approval year:
1980
First published:
1981

Classification of SpertiniiteHide

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4.FD.05

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
D : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
6.2.4.1

6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
2 : X(OH)2
7.3.4

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
3 : Oxides of Cu

Mineral SymbolsHide

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As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
SniIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of SpertiniiteHide

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Sub-Vitreous, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Light blue, blue-green
Comment:
Soft
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
3.93(2) g/cm3 (Measured)    3.94 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured in Clerici solution

Optical Data of SpertiniiteHide

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Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.720(2) nγ = 1.800(2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.080
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X = colorless; Z = dark blue

Chemistry of SpertiniiteHide

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Mindat Formula:
Cu(OH)2
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Cu65.135 %
O32.799 %
H2.066 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
CAS Registry number:
20427-59-2

CAS Registry numbers are published by the American Chemical Society

Crystallography of SpertiniiteHide

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Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Cmc21
Cell Parameters:
a = 2.951(1) Å, b = 10.592(3) Å, c = 5.257(3) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.279 : 1 : 0.496
Unit Cell V:
164.3 ų
Z:
4

Crystal StructureHide

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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0010212SpertiniiteOswald H R, Reller A, Schmalle H W, Dubler E (1990) Structure of copper(II) hydroxide, Cu(OH)2 Acta Crystallographica C46 2279-2284👁 Image
19900293
0011836SpertiniiteWyckoff R W G (1963) Second edition. Interscience Publishers, New York, New York Crystal Structures 1 290-29519630293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

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Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
5.29 Å(80)
3.73 Å(90)
2.63 Å(100)
2.50 Å(60)
2.361 Å(50)
2.266 Å(70)
1.718 Å(70)

Geological EnvironmentHide

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Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals<10 Ka
56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55)

Type Occurrence of SpertiniiteHide

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General Appearance of Type Material:
Small botryoidal aggregates, rarely fibrous and pale blue.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural Sciences, Ottawa, Canada (NMNS 44696).
Cotype material (NMNS 44697, 44698 and 44699).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Rodingite dyke near the contact with host serpentinized dunite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of SpertiniiteHide

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Other Language Names for SpertiniiteHide

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Common AssociatesHide

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Associations Based on Photo Data:
5 photos of Spertiniite associated with CupriteCu2O
4 photos of Spertiniite associated with CerussitePbCO3
4 photos of Spertiniite associated with Native CopperCu
3 photos of Spertiniite associated with LikasiteCu3(NO3)(OH)5 · 2H2O
2 photos of Spertiniite associated with SidpietersitePb2+4(S2O3)O2(OH)2
2 photos of Spertiniite associated with MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
2 photos of Spertiniite associated with TenoriteCuO
2 photos of Spertiniite associated with Native SilverAg
1 photo of Spertiniite associated with HydroromarchiteSn3O2(OH)2
1 photo of Spertiniite associated with GerhardtiteCu2(NO3)(OH)3

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

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4.FD.10DiasporeAlO(OH)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
4.FD.10Montroseite(V3+,Fe3+)O(OH)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
4.FD.10TsumgalliteGaO(OH)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
4.FD.10GroutiteMn3+O(OH)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
4.FD.10BracewelliteCrO(OH)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
4.FD.10GuyanaiteCrO(OH)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
4.FD.15ManganiteMn3+O(OH)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
4.FD.20Yttrotungstite-(Y)YW2O6(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
4.FD.20Yttrotungstite-(Ce)CeW2O6(OH)3Mon. 2 : P21
4.FD.25FrankhawthorneiteCu2Te6+O4(OH)2Mon. 2/m
4.FD.30'Khinite-3T'Pb2+Cu2+3Te6+O6(OH)2Trig. 3 : P32
4.FD.30HousleyitePb6CuTe6+4O18(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/m
4.FD.30KhinitePb2+Cu2+3[Te6+O6](OH)2Orth. mm2 : Fdd2

Fluorescence of SpertiniiteHide

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No UV fluorescence.

Other InformationHide

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Notes:
Synthetic material is soluble in cold water, decomposes in hot water and is soluble in acids.
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 SpertiniiteHide

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mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3724.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

References for SpertiniiteHide

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Reference List:

Localities for SpertiniiteHide

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Showing 29 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 👁 Image
symbol to view information about a locality. The 👁 Image
symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

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👁 Image
- This locality has map coordinates listed. 👁 Image
- This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. 👁 Image
- Good crystals or important locality for species. 👁 Image
- World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia
  • Queensland
    • Cloncurry Shire
      • Cloncurry
Vic Cloete collection
Canada (TL)
  • Québec
    • Estrie
      • Les Sources RCM
        • Val-des-Sources
179-181. +3 other references
    • Montérégie
      • La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM
        • Mont Saint-Hilaire
Horváth et al. (1990)
China
Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.)
France
  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
    • Loire
      • Roanne
        • Le Crozet
Chollet et al. (2013)
Germany
  • Baden-Württemberg
    • Freiburg Region
      • Ortenaukreis
        • Oberwolfach
Kolitsch et al. (2000)
  • Lower Saxony
    • Goslar District
      • Langelsheim
        • Astfeld
Schnorrer-Köhler (1988)
  • North Rhine-Westphalia
    • Cologne
      • Aachen
        • Stolberg
International Association of Collectors of Slag Minerals (3) +1 other reference
  • Rhineland-Palatinate
    • Rhein-Lahn-Kreis
      • Loreley
        • Braubach
58 (in German) +1 other reference
Schnorrer-Köhler et al. (1991)
  • Saxony-Anhalt
    • Mansfeld-Südharz
      • Eisleben
Collection of Elmar Lackner
      • Mansfeld
Knoll (2004)
Italy
  • Lombardy
    • Bergamo Province
      • Oltre il Colle
        • Vedra Valley
          • Zorzone
Ciriotti et al. (2021)
  • Piedmont
    • Cuneo Province
      • Bagnolo Piemonte
Ciriotti et al. (2021)
Ciriotti et al. (2021)
      • Roburent
Ciriotti et al. (2021)
Jordan
  • Aqaba Governorate
    • Aqaba Qasabah District
      • Wadi Arabah
Kim et al. (2021)
Kazakhstan
  • Karaganda Region
first finds in the USSR. Novye Dannye o Mineralakh SSSR et al. (in Russian) +2 other references
Namibia
  • Oshikoto Region
    • Tsumeb
Keller et al. (1986)
Romania
  • Bihor County
    • Nucet
Szakáll et al. (2014)
Russia
  • Altai Krai
    • Krasnoshchyokovsky District
webmineral.ru (2020)
  • Magadan Oblast
    • Omsukchansky District
      • Primorskoe deposit
Savva et al. (2019)
    • Srednekansky District
Savva et al. (2023)
Spain
  • Andalusia
    • Almería
      • Pechina
        • Baños de Alhamilla
Rewitzer et al. (2019)
    • Jaén
      • Linares
        • La Cruz
Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022)
USA
  • Arizona
    • Cochise County
Graeme (1993) +1 other reference
  • Michigan
    • Houghton County
      • Calumet Township
        • Osceola
Heinrich et al. (2004)
    • Ontonagon County
Heinrich et al. (2004)
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