Tsumcorite

Tsumcorite
Tsumcorite from the Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
General
CategoryArsenate minerals
FormulaPbZnFe2+(AsO4)2.H2O
IMA symbolTmc
Strunz classification8.CG.15
Dana classification40.02.09.01
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupC2/m (no. 12)
Unit cella = 9.124 Å, b = 6.329 Å
c = 7.577 Å; β = 115.3°; Z = 2
Identification
Formula mass624.29 g/mol
ColorYellow-brown, red-brown, orange
Crystal habitRadiating, fibrous crusts
TwinningCommon, on an unknown law
CleavageGood on {001}
Mohs scale hardness4+12
LusterVitreous
StreakYellow
DiaphaneityTranslucent
Specific gravity5.2
Optical propertiesBiaxial
Refractive indexnα = 1.87–1.91 nβ = 1.89–1.93 nγ = 1.92–1.96
PleochroismWeak, yellow to yellow-green
2V angle67–83.5°
SolubilityDissolves in HCl
References

Tsumcorite is a rare hydrated lead arsenate mineral that was discovered in 1971, and reported by Geier, Kautz and Muller. It was named after the TSUMeb CORporation mine at Tsumeb, in Namibia, in recognition of the Corporation's support for mineralogical investigations of the orebody at its Mineral Research Laboratory.