SCHULENBERGITE

    Class : Sulfates, chromates, molybdates
    Subclass : Hydrated sulfates
    Crystal system : Trigonal
    Chemistry : (Cu,Zn)7(SO4,CO3)2(OH)10 3H2O
    Rarity : Rare

Schulenbergite is a mineralogical rarity. It is a complex sulfate of copper and zinc that has carbonate CO3 groups replacing sulfate SO4 groups. It forms in the oxidation zone of copper and zinc deposits and is frequently observed neoformed on mining dumps and in old workings. It is also a mineral of industrial slag. Its name comes from its discovery location : the Glücksrad mine in Oberschulenberg (Germany). Schulenbergite forms microscopic lamellar crystals (0.2 mm maximum), frequently gathered in rosettes, of a beautiful pale blue-green.

Main photo : Schulenbergite on smithsonite from Coulomier Mine, Ariège, France © Philippe Font

Schulenbergite and linarite from Torga Mine, Portugal © Pedro Alves
Schulenbergite from Herzog Julius slag, Germany © Gerhard Niceus
Schulenbergite from Broken Hill, Australia © John Haupt
Schulenbergite from Coulomier Mine, Ariège, France © Christophe Schwarze

Schulenbergite in the World

Schulenbergite is known from many localities around the world. It is known in Laurion (Greece), but also in Glücksrad and Ramsbeck (Germany), it is found at the Torga mine associated with linarite (Portugal), in Italy, in English Cornwall and at Broken Hill (Autralia).

Schulenbergite in France

In France, schulenbergite is reported in pretty microscopic crystals at the Couloumier mine (Ariège), at the Ste-Lucie mine (Lozère), in the Vallée d'Aure (Hautes-Pyrénées), at Propières (Rhône), at Orpierre (Hautes-Alpes) and at the Vitrac mine (Puy-de-Dôme). It is also known in the slags of Crozet (Loire), Chessy (Rhône) and Couëron (Loire-Atlantique).

Twinning

No twinning known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 2
Density : 3.28 to 3.42
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Pale blue-green

TP : Transparent
RI : 1.640 to 1.707
Birefringence : 0.017 to 0.041
Optical character : Uniaxial -
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : Green

Solubility : -

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None

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