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Phosphate

Zincolibethenite

CuZn(PO₄)(OH)
Hardness3.5
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
ClassPhosphate
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Zincolibethenite specimen

Zincolibethenite Locality: Chuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama , El Loa Province , Antofagasta Region , Chile ( Locality at mindat.org ) Green acicular xls of Zincolibethenite. (analysed) Field of view 3 mm. Specimen and photo Leon Hupperichs. — Photo: Leon Hupperichs · CC BY-SA 3.0

Zincolibethenite

Zincolibethenite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula CuZn(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 3.5; specific gravity 3.972; Very pale bluish streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.

IMA symbol Zlib, IMA status: approved, named in 2003.

Found as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a polymetallic mineral deposit.

It is found associated with Hopeite, tarbuttite (Zambia); corkite-hinsdalite, tsumebite, pyromorphite, sampleite, torbernite, dufienite, strengite, beraunite (Australia).

The name refers to its composition and relationship to libethenite.

Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet. Browse more Z minerals or help write this entry.