Information about Chenite

Appearance

Bright, vivid blue microcrystals, which typically occur growing over lead and copper ores or lead and copper smelting slag.

Uses and History

There are not really any industrial uses for chenite as it is quite uncommon. It is, however, prized by collectors.

Chenite is a reasonably recently discovered mineral, having first been identified in 1986 from the Susanna Mine, Leadhills, Scotland. It was named after the Canadian mineralogist Tzong T. Chen.

It forms as a secondary mineral in oxidized lead and copper bearing ore bodies and weathering slag sites from historical lead and copper smelting.

Mineralogy

Hazards and Warnings

Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis. When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

Translations

Further Reading / External Links

• https://museum.wales/mineralogy-of-wales/database/?mineral=183&name=Chenite
• https://www.mindat.org/min-987.html
• https://www.webmineral.com/data/Chenite.shtml