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www.mineralgallery.co.za Minerals P-T |
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Plancheite |
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Name
Plancheite
Chemistry
Cu8Si8O22(OH)2 . H2O
Uses
As a mineral specimen
Color-
Blue, green-blue
Hardness
5.5
Specific gravity
3.6-3.8
Crystal system:
Orthorhombic. Crystal form: needles,fibres
Accompanied by:
Cuprite, dioptase, chrysocolla, malachite
Fracture
Uneven
Luster
Adamantine, silky
Cleavage
Unknown
Streak
Light blue
Similar to:
Chrysocolla
Plancheite is a rare mineral that is named after J Planche who brought it from Africa. It is found in Tattara and Kambowe in the DRC and also in the Kaokoland in Southern Africa. It was also found in the Table Mountain mine in Arizona (USA)
It has a distinctive blue color that looks very attractive with green dioptase. It is usually found as a powdered coating on rocks but I have discovered some specimens in the DRC that is crystallized.
The crystallized specimens have a silky luster. The distinguishing features is the hardness and the specific gravity.
