Lautenthalite Field of view: 0.3 mm high Locality: Lichtloch 26, Hettstedt, Mansfeld-Südharz, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany — Photo: Henk Smeets – tomeikminerals.com · CC BY 4.0
Lautenthalite
A lead-copper sulfate of the devilline group named for Lautenthal in the Harz mountains — also found in old smelter slags.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Lautenthalite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfate class, with the chemical formula PbCu₄(SO₄)₂(OH)₆·3H₂O.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/c). It is a member of the Devilline structural group.
Key properties: specific gravity 3.84; White streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Lth, IMA status: approved, named in 1983.
Formed in the oxidation zone of Pb–Cu sulfide deposits (Wales); an oxidation product in cavities in smelter slag (Germany, Austria, Scotland).
It is found associated with Anglesite, devilline–serpierite, galena (Lautenthal, Germany); linarite, brochantite, schulenbergite, wroewolfeite (Penrhiw mine, Wales).
The name refers to its occurrence at Lautenthal, Germany.