Mineral Species: Linarite

Chemical Formula: PbCuSO4(OH)2

Chemical Name: Lead Copper Sulphate Hydroxide

Mineral Class: Sulphate

Mineral Notes: Linarite has avery attractive blue colour and is usually found as crusts of small crystals. Even when the crystals are small crystals, the colour is always intense. Linarite is formed from the oxidation of lead and copper minerals such as Galena and Chalcopyrite. It is sometimes confused with Azurite, but will not react with dilute hydrochloric acid.

Description: An angular matrix of green chalcedony quartz upon which lie several regions of blue Linarite. Individual crystals are diificult to distinguish. Instead most appear fused into crystalline glassy plates.

Location: Gunnislake Clitters Mine, Callington, Cornwall, England.