The Mineral shattuckite
Shattuckite is an uncommon copper mineral that is highly regarded for its vivid blue color. It is named after the Shattuck Mine in Bisbee, Arizona, where this mineral was first discovered. Shattuckite occasionally forms within Quartz crystals, underneath the top layer. This creates striking blue formations of Quartz, sometimes with sparkling blue druses. Some collector specimens of Shattuckite are polished to fully bring out the color effect, especially when associated with Malachite, with a blue and green color effect.
Chemical Formula
Cu5(SiO3)4(OH)2
Color
Bright blue, turquoise blue, dark blue. Sometimes banded in concentric formations.
Crystal System
Orthorhombic
Properties
Streak
Blue |
Hardness
3.5 |
Transparency
Translucent |
Specific Gravity
4.1 |
Luster
Vitreous to silky |
Cleavage
1,2 |
Fracture
Uneven |
Tenacity
Brittle |
Crystal Habits
Rarely in elongated crystals. Most often radiating, botryoidal, globular, reniform, and stalactitic. Also as rounded balls, acicular, radial, grainy, and compact. May also form globular formation lining the sides of vugs. Shattuckite frequently forms pseudomorph after other minerals, such as Cuprite, Quartz, and Dioptase.
Uses
Shattuckite is an uncommon yet very aesthetic mineral that makes fine collectors specimens. It is also occasionally used as a gemstone and polished into pendants and beads.
Noteworthy Localities
The finest examples of Shattuckite, in vivid blue formations usually lining vugs, are found in the copper mines of the Kaokoveld District, Kunene Region, Namibia. It also comes from the same region in Namibia at Mesopotamia 504 in Khorixas as botryoidal growths. Radial Shattuckite sprays, sometimes with concentric banding, come from the Katanga (Shaba) Copper Belt, Congo (Zaire). In the U.S., Shattuckite was well-known from the Shattuck Mine, Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, the mine after which this mineral was named. Another important Arizona locality is the New Cornelia Mine, Ajo, Pima Co.
Common Mineral Associations
Malachite, Quartz, Azurite, Chrysocolla, Calcite, Dioptase, Plancheite
Distingushing Similar Minerals
Azurite - Forms in different crystal habits.
Lazurite - Harder, forms in different environments.