Duftite - Encyclopedia
Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
Subclass : Anhydrous arsenates
Crystal system : Orthorhombic
Chemistry : PbCu(AsO4)(OH)
Rarity : Uncommon
Duftite is an uncommon lead and copper arsenate from the oxidation zones of base metal deposits. It was named in honor of G. Duft, director of the Tsumeb mine (Namibia), where the mineral was discovered. The crystals are pseudo-octahedral or elongated, often rough and coarse, and do not exceed 5 mm. Duftite is most common in microcrystalline aggregates and encrustations, colored in varying shades of green. It is associated with many other secondary minerals of lead and/or copper, notably arsenates and carbonates.
Main photo : Duftite from Point 8.0, Borstein, Reichenbach, Lautertal, Hesse, Germany © Stephan Wolfsried
Duftite in the World
Twinning
No twin known for this mineral species.
Fakes and treatments
No fake listed for this mineral species.
Hardness : 4.5
Density : 6.12
Fracture : Conchoidal ti sub-conchoidal
Streak : Green to white
TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 2.030 to 2.100
Birefringence : 0.050 to 0.060
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None
Solubility : -
Magnetism : None
Radioactivity : None