Click on a letter above to view the list of gems.  

Linarite
Current inventory:  0 gems
 

Chemistry:  PbCu(SO₄)(OH)₂ [Lead Copper Sulfate Hydroxide]

Discovered in 1822;   IMA status: Valid (pre-IMA; Grandfathered).
Linarite is named after the locality where it was first discovered; Linares, Jaén, Andalusia, Spain.

Classification

Mineral Classification:

Sulfates

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

6/B.10-10

Nickel-Strunz 10th Ed. ID:

7.BC.65

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H₂O
C : With medium-sized and large cations

Related to:

Linarite - Chenite Group. Linarite - Mammothite Series.

Crystal Data

Crystallography:

Monoclinic - Prismatic

Crystal Habit:

Crystals are elongated along [010], typically tabular on [101] or [001], with about another 40 forms known, to 8 cm; in crusts and aggregates.

Twinning:

On [100], common; also on [001]

Physical Properties

Cleavage:

[100] Perfect, [001] Distinct

Fracture:

Conchoidal

Tenacity:

Brittle

Hardness (Mohs):

2.5

Density:

5.3 - 5.5 (g/cm³)

Luminescence:

None

Radioactivity:

Not Radioactive

Other:

Observed to alter to Antlerite and to Cerussite with Malachite.

Optical Properties

Color:

Bright to dark Azure Blue, Sky Blue

Transparency:

Transparent to Translucent

Luster:

Vitreous to Sub-Adamantine

Refractive Index:

1.809 - 1.859  Biaxial ( - )

Birefringence:

0.050

Dispersion:

Strong; r < v

Pleochroism:

Visible; X = pale blue; Y = blue; Z = Prussian blue

Occurances

Geological Setting:

An uncommon secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of Pb–Cu deposits.

Common Associations:

Anglesite, Brochantite, Caledonite, Cerussite, Hemimorphite, Leadhillite, Malachite

Type Locality:

Linares, Jaén, Andalusia, Spain

Year Discovered:

1822

View mineral photos:

Linarite Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org
Webmineral.com

Linarite is a secondary mineral in the oxidized zones of lead-copper deposits. It is a fairly rare mineral and an extremely rare gem. The color of Linarite is a magnificent and intense blue and can be confused with Azurite. Crystals are usually very, very small; typically found as crusts of tiny crystals on a host rock. Crystals are rarely large enough for faceting but even then clean areas of these crystals are usually very small. Gems are very difficult to cut due to the softness and perfect cleavage of the mineral. Linarite is also very collectable as a mineral specimen.

Linarite is available from many locations but fine crystals mainly come from the Red Gill and other mines, Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, England; Tsumeb, Namibia; Mammoth-St. Anthony mine, Tiger, Pinal County, Arizona, USA.
 

  
Linarite gems for sale:

We have not photographed our Linarite gems. Please check back soon.