Chenite Locality: Lautenthal smelter (slag locality), Lautenthal, Harz Mts, Lower Saxony, Germany Field of view 3 mm. Specimen and photo Leon Hupperichs. — Photo: Leon Hupperichs · CC BY-SA 3.0
Chenite
Chenite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfate class, with the chemical formula CuPb₄(SO₄)₂(OH)₆.
It crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system (space group P-1). It is a member of the Chenite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2.5; specific gravity 5.98; Pale blue streak; Vitreous to resinous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Che, IMA status: approved, named in 1983.
Of rare occurrence in the oxidized portions of some Pb–Cu sulfide deposits.
It is found associated with Caledonite, linarite, leadhillite, susannite, elyite, lanarkite, galena, chalcopyrite.
The mineral was named to honor Dr. Tzong T. Chen (1942–), mineralogist at the Canadian Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology (CANMET), Ottawa, Canada.