Libethenite Locality: Ľubietová (Libetbánya; Libethen) ore belt, Western Slovenské Rudohorie Mts, Banská Bystrica Region , Slovakia ( Locality at mindat.org ) Size: 8.7 x 5.5 x 5.3 cm. This classic Slovakian Libethenite is loaded with sparking green, vitreous, orthorhombic crystals on matrix. Libethenite typically forms from weathered Apatite crystals, and is one of the most distinctive and beautiful colors for a mineral species. These specimens are not terribly common on the market today, and good Libethenites from the type locality are always in high demand. This piece comes from the Richard A. Kosnar Collection and the hand-painted label on the reverse side of the specimen states that it was collected in 1823. — Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0
Libethenite
A dark-green copper phosphate discovered in 1823 at Ľubietová (Libethen), Slovakia — a classic collector's species.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Libethenite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula Cu₂(PO₄)(OH).
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pnnm). It is a member of the Andalusite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4; specific gravity 3.97; Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces luster; refractive index 1.746; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Lib, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1823.
Occurs as an uncommon secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of copper deposits.
It is found associated with Pseudomalachite, malachite, azurite, chrysocolla, iron oxides.
The name is derived from the locality from which it was first described, L’ubietová, Slovakia (formerly Libethen, Hungary).