WROEWOLFEITE

    Class : Sulfates, chromates, molybdates
    Subclass : Hydrated sulfates
    Crystal system : Monoclinic
    Chemistry : Cu4SO4(OH)6 2H2O
    Rarity : Rare


Wroewolfeite is a copper sulfate, dimorphic of langite, found in the oxidation zone of copper deposits. It was named in honor of Caleb Wroe Wolfe, Professor of Geology at Boston University (USA). Wroewolfeite forms small crystals of 1 mm at most, dark greenish blue, sometimes dark blue, grouped in encrustations.

Main photo : Wroewolfeite from Esgair Hir & Esgair Fraith mines, Wales, UK © Steve Rust

Wroewolfeite in the World

Wroewolfeite is known from relatively few deposits. It is found mainly in Germany (Clara Mine and Glücksrad), in several sites in Great Britain, and at Loudville (Massachusetts), associated with covellite, langite and chalcocite.

Right photo : Wroewolfeite from the Clara Mine, Germany © Michael Förch

Wroewolfeite in France

In France, wroewolfeite is known from the St-Nicolas mine near Steinbach (Haut-Rhin) and from La Verrière (Rhône). It is also reported in the slags of Crozet (Loire) and Poullaouen (Finistère).

Twinning

Twinning is known by reflection on {001} and {100}.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.



Hardness : 2.5
Density : Undetermined
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Blue green


TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.637 to 1.694
Birefringence : 0.057
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None


Solubility : -

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None