SHATTUCKITE

    Class : Silicates
    Subclass : Inosilicates
    Crystal system : Orthorhombic
    Chemistry : Cu5(SiO3)4(OH)2
    Rarity : Rare


Shattuckite is a relatively rare secondary copper silicate that has adopted the single-chain crystal structure of pyroxenes. It owes its name to its site of discovery : the Shattuck mine (Arizona, USA). It is frequently associated with chrysocolla and malachite in the oxidation zone of copper deposits in an arid climate. Shattuckite occurs mainly in acicular crystals not exceeding 2 mm united in fibroradiated spherolites, of pale blue to dark blue color. It is a mineral that is not used in any particular field.

Shattuckite in the World

The best shattuckite specimens come from copper deposits in Katanga (Kambove, Tantara), and Arizona (Ajo, Bisbee, Tiger). It is also known in Mexico (Alamos), in the Cyclades islands of Euboea (or Ewia) and Andros in Greece, as well as in Tsumeb (Namibia).

The photo on the right presents a shattuckite specimen from Tantara Mine (Democratic Republic of Congo) © Rob Lavinsky.

Shattuckite in France

This mineral is not present in the French underground.

Twinning

No twin reported for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fake inventories for this mineral species.


Hardness : 3.5
Density : 4.12
Fracture : Irregular
Trace : Blue

TP : Translucent
RI : 1.753 to 1.815
Birefringence : 0.062
Optical character : Biaxial +
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : Hydrochloric acid

Magnetism : None
Radioactivity : None