Brown crystal agregates of the rare mineral cuprocopiapite from a little known locality in Texas (Medicine Mound, Hardman County, Texas, United States of America). Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection specimen, from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cuprocopiapite
Cuprocopiapite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfate class, with the chemical formula Cu²⁺Fe³⁺₄(SO₄)₆(OH)₂·20H₂O.
It is a member of the Copiapite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2.5; specific gravity 2.23; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Cucpi, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1938.
A rare secondary mineral probably formed by reaction between copiapite and copper sulfate-bearing solutions, preserved in arid climates.
It is found associated with Copiapite, parabutlerite, chalcanthite, jarosite.
As the cuprian member of the copiapite group.