Libethenite - Encyclopedia

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Anhydrous phosphates
    Crystal system : Orthorhombic
    Chemistry : Cu₂PO₄(OH)
    Rarity : Rare

Libethenite (or chinoite) is a relatively rare secondary phosphate in the oxidation zone of copper deposits, where it mixes with malachite, pseudomalachite and brochantite. Its transformation into chrysocolla was observed. Phosphorus is partially replaced by arsenic, giving rise to a very limited solid solution with olivenite, to which it is very similar. It owes its name to its locality of discovery : Libethen in Slovakia. Libethenite occurs in short prismatic crystals or is slightly elongated in [100], sometimes in regular pseudo-octahedra when the vertical prism and horizontal prism forms have comparable development. It has a vitreous to oily luster and a typical olive-green to blackish-green color. It is a mineral only reserved for the collection, but little known collectors.

In the French underground, libethenite is only present in millimeter-sized crystals. It is reported in the silver mine of Zimmerbach (Haut-Rhin), Montebras (Creuse), Falgayrolles and Bastit (Aveyron) and finally Valcroze (Gard). The photo on the left shows a sample photographed by Jean Claude Dol in prismatic crystals.

No twin known for the species.

No fake inventories for this mineral species.