ZDENEKITE

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Hydrated arsenates
    Crystal system : Tetragonal
    Chemistry : NaPbCu5(AsO4)4Cl 5H2O
    Rarity : Very rare

Zdenekite is a very rare copper arsenate discovered in the mineralized Triassic sandstones of the old Cap Garonne copper mine (Var). It is the lead equivalent of lavendulan. It was named in honor of Zdenek Johan, Scientific Director of BRGM for his important contribution to mineralogy. Zdenekite occurs in turquoise blue crystals up to 0.1 mm long, with the appearance of flattened square tablets according to {001}. The crystals are isolated or grouped in spherulites reaching 0.3 mm in diameter, building blue incrustations of a few square centimeters.

Main photo : Zdenekite from Golosina mine, Andalusia, Spain © Christian Rewitzer

Zdenekite in the World

Zdenekite is known from Broken Hill (Australia), Fosso Is Bandius Prospect (Sardinia, Italy) and Golosina mine (Spain).


Zdenekite in France

The best specimens of zdenekite come from the Cap Garonne copper mine (Var) where it coexists with anglesite, olivenite and geminite. It was formed after exploitation by oxidation of tennantite and galena present in the sandstone levels of the mine ; it is therefore at most 140 years old !

Right photo : Zdenekite de Cap Garonne, Var, France © Stephan Wolfsried

Twinning

Twinning seems to be present for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 1.5 to 2
Density : Undetermined
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Light blue

TP : Translucent
RI : 1.710 to 1.770
Birefringence : 0.060
Optical character : Uniaxial -
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : -

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None