Reichenbachite from Cornwall and Portugal

R. S. W. Braithwaite and G. Ryback
Chemistry Department, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, Manchester, M60 1QD, UK
42, Bell Road, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 4EB, UK

Abstract: Infrared spectroscopy is a rapid method of distinguishing between pseudomalachite and its polymorphs reichenbachite and ludjibaite. This technique, backed by X-ray diffraction has shown that a number of specimens labelled ‘pseudomalachite’ from Cornwall, in particular from Old Gunnislake mine, are of reichenbachite, thus identified for the first time from the British Isles. Reichenbachite has also been identified with pseudomalachite from Miguel Vacas mine, Vila Viçosa, Evora, Portugal. Identification of pseudomalachite from a number of other localities world-wide has been confirmed, and some specimens have been shown to be arsenatian.

Keywords: reichenbachite • pseudomalachite • ludjibaite • infrared spectroscopy • Cornwall • Portugal

Mineralogical Magazine; September 1994 v. 58; no. 392; p. 449-454; DOI: 10.1180/minmag.1994.058.392.09
© 1994, The Mineralogical Society
Mineralogical Society (www.minersoc.org)