Shattuckite

Shattuckite is a gorgeous blue Copper mineral often used as a collectors specimen due to its fascinating colours and interesting crystalline structure.

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Appearance, Uses and History

Shattuckite was named after the Shattuck mine of Bisbee in Arizona, USA.

Shattuckite occasionally occurs within Quartz and often occurs with Malachite alongside it. These pieces make excellent collectors specimens due to their bright, standout colours.

It is relatively uncommon and therefore specimens of quality are typically sold to collectors, rather than crushed for Copper.

In some cases, Shattuckite is cut into cabochons, although this material is sometimes Shattuckite in Quartz, for a little extra hardness.


Locales

Shattuckite is a relatively uncommon mineral, with only a few main locales.

Excellent specimens come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mexico, Namibia, and the USA.


Mineralogy

Chemistry
A basic Copper silicate with the formula Cu5(Si2O6)2(OH)2
Colours and Variations
Light to dark blue
Streak
Blue
Luster
Silky
Fracture
Uneven to splintery
Transparency
Translucent to opaque
Crystal habit
Fibrous, granular, botryoidal, radiating, globular, radial.
Mohs hardness
3.5
Specific Gravity
3.8 – 4.11
Easiest testing method
Often confused with Plancheite, and it is almost impossible to distinguish outside a laboratory.
Common Treatments

Photos of Shattuckite

Dioptase-Shattuckite-Chrysocolla-130344
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Shattuckite-k-123a

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Shattuckite-rosa22c
Shattuckite-tuc1071b

Shattuckite-170581
Dioptase-Shattuckite-163280
Malachite-Shattuckite-215584

Hazards and Warnings

Shattuckite is considered toxic due to its Copper content. It should be handled with care and kept away from high humidity and/or water. Limited exposure is not a problem – just wash your hands after handling any specimens.

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

Arabic:

Hindi:

Portuguese:

Bengali:

Indonesian:

Punjabi:

English:

Italian:

Russian:

  • Шаттукит

French:

Japanese:

Spanish:

  • Shattuckita

German:

  • Shattuckit

Korean:

Thai:

Gujurati:

Mandarin and Traditional Chinese:

  • 斜硅铜矿

Urdu:


Further Reading / External Links