Information about Ramsbeckite

Ramsbeckite forms as emerald‑green to blue‑green tabular monoclinic crystals, often in aggregates or crusts. It has a vitreous lustre, transparent to translucent diaphaneity, and a pale green streak, its vibrant colour and glossy sheen make it quite distinctive. It often occurs alongside copper minerals.

Uses and History

Ramsbeckite has no industrial uses, being a rare secondary sulphate from oxidised copper–zinc deposits.

It is valued almost exclusively by mineral collectors and researchers, especially in studies of supergene alteration and copper–zinc sulphate mineralogy.

First described from the Bastenberg Mine, Ramsbeck, Germany, Ramsbeckite was named after its type locality. Since then, specimens have been reported from various locations, including the UK.

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://www.mindat.org/min-3358.html
• https://museum.wales/mineralogy-of-wales/database/?mineral=120&name=Ramsbeckite
• https://handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/ramsbeckite.pdf