STRASHIMIRITE

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Hydrated arsenates
    Crystal system : Monoclinic
    Chemistry : Cu8(AsO4)4(OH)4 5H2O
    Rarity : Uncommon to rare

Strashimirite is a copper arsenate from the oxidation zone of copper and arsenic deposits where it is associated with other secondary copper or arsenic minerals (tyrolite, olivenite, scorodite, brochantite, etc...). It was named in honor of the Bulgarian petrographer Strachimir Dimitrov. Strashimirite forms small lamellar to fibrous crystals of 4 mm at most, assembled in spherulitic aggregates with a fairly characteristic radiate texture or incrustations. Its color is white to pale green, sometimes sea green to grayish blue.

Main photo : Strashimirite de Drienok, Poniky, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia © Martin Stevko

Strashimirite from Clara Mine, Germany © Gerhard Niceus
Strashimirite from Majuba Hill Mine, Nevada, USA © Daniel J. Evanich
Strashimirite from Hilarion Mine, Kamariza, Lavrion, Greece © Stephan Wolfsried
Strashimirite & olivenite from Cap Garonne, Var, France © Jean-Marie Claude

Strashimirite in the World

In its defining deposit of Zapachitsa (Bulgaria), strashimirite occurs as a replacement for tyrolite and cornwallite. It is also found in several copper deposits in Germany (Clara, Sontra, Saalfeld...), the United States (Eureka, Gold Hill), and Great Britain (mines in the Gwennap district).

Strashimirite in France

Strashimirite has been observed at Cap Garonne (Var) as well as at Triembach-au-Val (Bas-Rhin) and Ste-Marie-aux-Mines (Haut-Rhin), at Faymont (Vosges) and at the Tistoulet mine (Aude).

Twinning

No twinning known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 2.5 to 3
Density : 3.67
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : White

TP : Transparent
RI : 1.726 to 1.747
Birefringence : 0.021
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : Low
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : -

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None