Kinoite

Kinoite

Dark-blue Kinoite from the Christmas Mine, Banner District, Gila County, Arizona USA. Size: 7.6x70x3.5 cm.
General
Category Sorosilicate
Formula
(repeating unit)
Ca2Cu2Si3O8(OH)4
Strunz classification 09.BH.10
Crystal symmetry 2/m - Prismatic
Unit cell

a = 6.99Å, b = 12.88Å, c = 5.65Å

β = 96.18°
Identification
Color Transparent deep blue
Crystal system Monoclinic
Cleavage excellent {010}, distinct {001} and {100}
Mohs scale hardness
Luster Vitreous
Diaphaneity Transparent
Specific gravity 3.13 - 3.19
Optical properties Biaxial (-)
Refractive index nα = 1.638 nβ = 1.665 nγ = 1.676
Birefringence δ = 0.038
Pleochroism Strong
2V angle Measured: 68° , calculated: 64°
Dispersion relatively weak

Kinoite (Ca2Cu2Si3O8(OH)4[1][2] or Ca2Cu2Si3O10·2H2O[3]) is a light blue copper silicate mineral. It is somewhat scarce. It has a monoclinic crystal system, vitreous luster, and is transparent to translucent. It can be found in the Santa Rita Mountains, the Christmas Mine at Christmas, Arizona and a few other copper mines. Kinoite is popular with mineral collectors. Kinoite was named upon its discovery in 1970 after the pioneer Jesuit missionary Padre Eusebio Kino who worked in Arizona, Sonora and Baja California.

References


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