Connellite Locality: Ingadanais Mines, Vila Velha de Rodão, Castelo Branco District, Portugal Field of view 7 mm. Depth of field is achieved with CombineZM. Specimen and photo Leon Hupperichs. This Photo was Mindat.org Photo of the Day - 14th May 2007 — Photo: Leon Hupperichs · CC BY-SA 3.0
Connellite
A rare hydrous copper chloro-sulfate forming tufts of delicate deep-blue needles among other secondary copper minerals.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Connellite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfate class, with the chemical formula Cu₃₆(SO₄)(OH)₆₂Cl₈·6H₂O.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group P6_3/mmc). It is a member of the Connellite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3; specific gravity 3.36–3.41; Pale greenish blue streak; Vitreous luster; refractive index 1.742; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Cnl, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1847.
Occurs as an uncommon secondary mineral in the oxidized portions of copper deposits.
It is found associated with Cuprite, spangolite, atacamite, botallackite, langite, malachite, azurite.
The mineral was named to honor Arthur Connell (1794–1863), Scottish chemist who first examined the mineral.