Cyanotrichite

It is an oxidation product of primary copper mineralization in a weathering environment with abundant aluminium and sulfate. Associated minerals include brochantite, spangolite, chalcophyllite, olivenite, tyrolite, parnauite, azurite and malachite. The main deposits are Cap la Garrone in the Var (France), Romania and Arizona (US). It was first described in 1839 from Moldova Nouă, Banat, Romania. The name is from Greek kyaneos for "blue" and triches for "hair" referring to the typical color and habit. Its earlier name, Lettsomite, is taken from the name of William Garrow Lettsom (1804–1887), co-author of the 1858 Manual of the Mineralogy of Great Britain and Ireland.

Cyanotrichite is quite rare, so although it can be used as a copper ore this is not typically considered commercially viable at scale. It is fragile, so despite its beauty collectors often prefer to keep very small specimens of this lovely mineral in boxes in a process called ‘micromounting.’

The main deposits are Cap la Garrone in the Var (France), Romania and Arizona (US).

It was first described in 1839 from Moldova Nouă, Banat, Romania. The name is from Greek kyaneos for "blue" and triches for "hair" referring to the typical color and habit. Its earlier name, Lettsomite, is taken from the name of William Garrow Lettsom (1804–1887), co-author of the 1858 Manual of the Mineralogy of Great Britain and Ireland.