# Caledonite

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caledonite
> Source revision: 1263592323
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{{Short description|Mineral}}
{{distinguish|Celadonite}}
{{Infobox mineral
| name        = Caledonite
| category    = [Sulfate minerals](/source/Sulfate_minerals)
| boxwidth    = 
| boxbgcolor  = 
| image       = Caledonit auf Cerussit - Mineralogisches Museum Bonn (7354).jpg
| imagesize   = 260px
| caption     = Caledonite (green) on cerussite
| formula     = Cu<sub>2</sub>Pb<sub>5</sub>(OH)<sub>6</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>(SO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub>
| IMAsymbol=Cdo<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Warr|first=L.N.|date=2021|title=IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols|journal=Mineralogical Magazine|volume=85|issue=3|pages=291–320|doi=10.1180/mgm.2021.43|bibcode=2021MinM...85..291W|s2cid=235729616|doi-access=free}}</ref>   
| strunz      = 7.BC.50
| system      = [Orthorhombic](/source/Orthorhombic)
| class       = Pyramidal (mm2) <br/><small>(same [H-M symbol](/source/H-M_symbol))</small>
| symmetry    = ''Pmn2''<sub>1</sub>
| unit cell   = a = 20.089(7)&nbsp;Å, <br/>b = 7.146(3)&nbsp;Å, <br/>c = 6.56&nbsp;Å; Z&nbsp;=&nbsp;2
| color       = Blue; green
| habit       = Typically striated prismatic or tabular crystals; radial aggregates
| twinning    = 
| cleavage    = [001] perfect; [100] distinct
| fracture    = Uneven
| tenacity    = Brittle
| mohs        = 2.5–3
| luster      = Vitreous
| refractive  = n<sub>α</sub> = 1.818(3) n<sub>β</sub> = 1.866(3) n<sub>γ</sub> = 1.909(3)
| opticalprop = Biaxial (−)
| birefringence = δ = 0.091
| pleochroism = Weak
| 2V          = Measured: 85°
| streak      = Green-white; blue-green
| gravity     = 5.6–5.8
| melt        = 
| fusibility  = 
| diagnostic  = 
| solubility  = 
| diaphaneity = Transparent to translucent
| references  = <ref>[https://www.mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/MineralData?mineral=Caledonite Mineralienatlas]</ref><ref name=HBM>{{Cite web |url=http://www.handbookofmineralogy.com/pdfs/caledonite.pdf |title=Handbook of Mineralogy |access-date=2016-12-20 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192806/http://www.handbookofmineralogy.com/pdfs/caledonite.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=Mindat>[http://www.mindat.org/min-865.html MinDat Listing]</ref><ref name=Webmin>[http://webmineral.com/data/Caledonite.shtml Webmineral Listing]</ref>
}}

'''Caledonite''', whose name derives from Caledonia, the historical name of its place of discovery ([Scotland](/source/Scotland)), is a richly colored blue-green [sulfate](/source/sulfate)-[carbonate](/source/carbonate) [mineral](/source/mineral) of [lead](/source/lead) and [copper](/source/copper) with an [orthorhombic](/source/orthorhombic) [crystal](/source/crystal) structure. It is an uncommon mineral found in the oxidized zones of copper-lead deposits.

==Collectible properties==

Caledonite's primary use is a collector's mineral. Although it contains copper and lead, it is a secondary mineral and is not prevalent enough in any known deposits to be used as an [ore](/source/ore). Caledonite, when developed into full crystals, can have a deep blue-green color reminiscent of secondary copper minerals. Its high lustre, on the other hand, is more like secondary lead minerals. Localities in which caledonite occurs as well developed crystals are quite rare and include the Mammoth-St. Anthony Mine at [Tiger, Arizona](/source/Tiger%2C_Arizona), a few mines in California, such as the Reward Mine. A few other mines in Arizona and Chile have been known to produce samples. 

==Associated minerals==
Given that caledonite is found in oxidized copper/lead deposits, it is frequently found in association with other copper and lead minerals. Frequently associated minerals include:  [linarite](/source/linarite), [malachite](/source/malachite), [cerussite](/source/cerussite), [brochantite](/source/brochantite), [anglesite](/source/anglesite), [leadhillite](/source/leadhillite), and [azurite](/source/azurite).<ref name=HBM/>

==Notes for identification==
Caledonite's blue color is a useful indicator, but insufficient, especially since one of its associates, linarite, is a vivid blue as well. Useful tests for determining if a specimen is caledonite include its density, streak, and crystal habit.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051105215140/http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/sulfates/caledoni/caledoni.htm Mineral Galleries]

Category:Lead minerals
Category:Copper minerals
Category:Sulfate minerals
Category:Orthorhombic minerals
Category:Minerals in space group 31
Category:Minerals described in 1832

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Caledonite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caledonite) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caledonite?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.