PAPAGOITE

    Class : Silicates
    Subclass : Cyclosilicates
    Crystal system : Monoclinic
    Chemistry : CaCuAlSi2O6(OH)3
    Rarity : Very rare

Papagoite is an extremely rare copper silicate of a very beautiful blue that is found in small stringers which intersect an altered porphyritic granodiorite but also in inclusions in certain quartz from South Africa. Its name comes from the Papagos Indian tribe, who were the first inhabitants of the region where the mineral was discovered (Ajo, Arizona). Papagoite forms small equant crystals of 3 mm maximum, microcrystalline aggregates and encrustations.

Main photo : Papagoite from New Cornelia Mine, Arizona, USA © Stephan Wolfsried

Papagoite and quartz from Messina, South Africa © Rob Lavinsky
Papagoite and quartz from Messina, South Africa © AM Mizunaka
Papagoite from Sinclair Mine, Namibia © Rob Lavinsky
Papagoite from New Cornelia Mine, Arizona, USA © Stephan Wolfsried

Papagoite in the World

Papagoite is only known from four localities in the world : in the altered granodiorite of New Cornelia Mine near Ajo (Arizona) in association with fibroradiated aggregates of ajoite. At the Messina mine (South Africa), it occurs in radiated microcrystalline aggregates included in quartz crystals. It is also reported in the Czech Bankov magnesite deposit and at the Sinclair Mine (Namibia).

Papagoite in France

Papagoite is not present in the French underground.

Twinning

No twins known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 5 to 5.5
Density : 3.25
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Light blue

TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.607 to 1.672
Birefringence : 0.065
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : Strong
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : Hydrochloric acid

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None

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