Hentschelite Dimensions: 4.8 cm × 3.8 cm Locality: Great Australia Mine, Cloncurry, Cloncurry Shire, Queensland, Australia Description: A brown matrix with some massive and small black crystals of Hentschelite. JSS specimen and photo. — Photo: John Sobolewski (JSS) · CC BY 3.0
Hentschelite
Hentschelite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula CuFe³⁺₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/n). It is a member of the Lazulite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3.5; specific gravity 3.79; Pale green streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Hsl, IMA status: approved, named in 1985.
Found as a rare secondary mineral in some oxidized copper deposits.
It is found associated with Mimetite, beudantite, phosphogartrellite, goethite, quartz (Reichenbach, Germany); rockbridgeite, chalcosiderite, goethite, cuprite (West Phoenix mine.
The mineral was named to honor Dr. Gerhard Hentschel (1930–), Geological Survey of Hesse, Wiesbaden, Germany.