Tenorite

(repeating unit)CuOIMA symbolTnr[1]Strunz classification4.AB.10Crystal systemMonoclinicCrystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)Space groupC2/cUnit cella = 4.6837(5) Å
b = 3.4226(5) Å
c = 5.1288(6) Å; β = 99.47°; Z = 4IdentificationColorSteel-gray, iron-gray, blackCrystal habitLathlike crystals, curved, scaly, dendritic; commonly pulverulent, earthy, massiveTwinningCommon on {011}, forming stellate groups; lamellarCleavagePoor to indistinctFractureConchoidal to unevenTenacityBrittle; flexible and elastic in thin scalesMohs scale hardness3.5–4LusterMetallic to earthyStreakBlackDiaphaneityOpaque, thin flakes transparentSpecific gravity6.5Optical propertiesBiaxial (+)PleochroismDistinct; light to dark brownReferences[2][3][4]

Tenorite is a copper oxide mineral with the chemical formula CuO.

Occurrence

Tenorite with azurite from Nischne Tagilsk, Urals, Russia

Tenorite occurs in the weathered or oxidized zone associated with deeper primary copper sulfide orebodies. Tenorite commonly occurs with chrysocolla and the copper carbonates, azurite and malachite. The dull grey-black color of tenorite contrasts sharply with the often intergrown blue chrysocolla. Cuprite, native copper and Fe–Mn oxides also occur in this environment.[2]

In addition to the hydrothermal, tenorite also occurs as a volcanic sublimate from Vesuvius, Campania, and Etna, Sicily, Italy. As a sublimate it occurs with copper chlorides, alkali chlorides and cotunnite.[2] The Vesuvian sublimate occurrence was originally named melaconise or melaconite by F. S. Beudant in 1832.[5]

Tenorite was named in 1841 after the Italian botanist Michele Tenore (1780–1861).[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ a b c Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. ^ Webmineral data
  4. ^ a b Mindat
  5. ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press
  • v
  • t
  • e