Mineral Species: Linarite and Cerrusite

Chemical Formula: PbCuSO4(OH)2

Chemical Name: Lead Copper Sulfate Hydroxide

Mineral Class: Sulfate

Mineral Notes: Linarite is a rare blue mineral usually found as crusts of small crystals. In spite of the small crystal size, the color is always very intense. For this reason Linarite is easily confused with Azurite. However, Linarite, being a Sulfate does not react with dilute hydrochloric acid. The mineral is formed from the oxidation of lead and copper minerals such as Galena and Chalcopyrite.  

Description: A very rich deposit of crystalline Linarite on a brown quartz matrix. Many crystals can be seen under magnification. The colour ranges from pale to dark blue according to the size of the crystals.

Location: Pemberthy Croft Mine, Mounts Bay, Cornwall, England.