Libethenite
Mineral Cu2(PO4)(OH)
About it
Dark green, glassy, often diamond-shaped crystals in oxidized copper ore. Named for Ľubietová (Libethen) in Slovakia; fine specimens also come from Zambia and the Congo.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Phosphate, olivenite group
- Formula
- Cu2(PO4)(OH)
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 4
- Specific gravity
- 3.9–4
- Streak
- olive green
- Lustre
- vitreous (glassy), greasy
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Colours
- dark green, olive green, emerald green
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Cleavage and fracture
- poor; conchoidal to uneven fracture
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.