Dolerophanite
Dolerophanite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfate class, with the chemical formula Cu₂O(SO₄).
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group C2/m). It is a member of the Natrochalcite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3; specific gravity 4.17; Yellowish brown streak; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Dph, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1873.
A rare volcanic sublimate.
It is found associated with Chalcocyanite, euchlorine, eriochalcite (Vesuvius, Italy); chalcocyanite, euchlorine, eriochalcite, vergasovaite, fedotovite, melanothallite, piypite.
Its name comes from the Greek for fallacious and to appear, in allusion to a physical appearance nonsuggestive of the composition.
Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet.
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