Plancheite is a hydrated copper silicate mineral with the formula Cu8Si8O22(OH)4•(H2O). It is closely related to shattuckite in structure and appearance, and the two minerals are often confused.
Hardness:
6
Density:
3.85 g/cm³
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Properties
Characteristics
Common Questions
General Info About Plancheite
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Physical Properties of Plancheite
Colors
Blue, greenish blue
Hardness
6 , Hard
Density
3.85 g/cm³, Obviously Heavy Weight
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Chemical Properties of Plancheite
Formula
Cu8(Si8O22)(OH)4 · H2O
Elements listed
Cu, H, O, Si
Characteristics of Plancheite
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Characteristics of Plancheite
Usually a pale turquoise-blue, with a pale blue streak and an adamantine to silky luster. It is quite hard, with hardness 5.5 to 6, close to that of feldspar, and specific gravity 3.6 to 3.8. Optically it is biaxial (+), with refractive indices between 1.64 and 1.74, and pleochroic.
Composition of Plancheite
Plancheite is a chain silicate (inosilicate), with double chains of silica tetrahedra parallel to the c crystal axis. It occurs as sprays of acicular or fibrous radial clusters, with fibers extended parallel to the chains, i.e. along the c crystal axis; it can also form tiny tabular or platy crystals. It is a member of the orthorhombic crystal class m m m (2/m 2/m 2/m), which is the most symmetrical class in the orthorhombic system.
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