Moolooite

Moolooite is a rare blue-green mineral with the formula Cu++(C2O4)·n(H2O) (n<1) (copper oxalate hydrate). It was discovered by Richard M Clarke and Ian R Williams in Bunbury Well, Mooloo Downs station, Murchison, Western Australia in 1986.[3] It has an orthorhombic crystalline structure, and is formed by the interaction of bird guano with weathering copper sulfides. It is used in plastics to color them blueish-green.

Moolooite
Blue massive moolooite (field of view 12 mm)
General
CategoryOxalate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Cu(C2O4) · 0.4H2O
IMA symbolMoo[1]
Strunz classification10.AB.15
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classDipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupPnnm
Identification
Colorgreen
Specific gravity3.43 (calculated)
Density2.6
References[2]

A second occurrence is reported from the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines silver mining district of Vosges Mountains, France.[3]

References


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