Libethenita
Libethenita is a mineral with formula Cu₂(PO₄)(OH), in the Fosfatos group. This specimen comes from Miguel Vacas Mine, Nossa Senhora da Conceição e São Bartolomeu, Vila Viçosa, Évora, Portugal and joined the Terrium collection in 1986.
Description
Thumbnail with dark green libethenite crystals showing very good lustre and definition. Strong presence, excellent lustre, no damage.
History of this specimen
Collected by Christian Rewitzer, co-author with Miguel Calvo Rebollar of the absolutely marvellous "Atlas de Minerales de España".
About Libethenita
Few copper phosphates offer this level of lustre and definition at small sizes. Libethenite from Vila Viçosa is a world reference for the species, noted for its dark colour, compact habit and excellent crystallisation.
About the locality
Classic Portuguese locality for copper phosphates. Secondary mineralisation in oxidising environments, with well-crystallised libethenite associated with brecciated quartz, famous worldwide.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0331
- Composition
- Cu₂(PO₄)(OH)
- Name
- Libethenita
- Group
- Fosfatos
- Category
- Meritum Persé
- Matrix
- Cuarzo
- Mine
- Miguel Vacas Mine
- District / Municipality
- Nossa Senhora da Conceição e São Bartolomeu
- Province
- Vila Viçosa
- Region
- Évora
- Country
- Portugal
- Size (cm)
- 4.2 x 2.5 x 1.6
- Weight
- 9.4 g
- Acquired
- 1986
- Ex-collection
- Christian Rewitzer
- Etymology
- In honour of Ľubietová (Libethen), a historic Slovak locality.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable