Rouaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Rouaite
Formula:
Cu2(NO3)(OH)3
Colour:
Dark emerald-green
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous
Specific Gravity:
3.38
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 2001 by Halil Sarp, Radovan Černý, and Laure Guenee, after the principle co-type locality - old copper mines of Roua, Alpes-Maritimes, France.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
An uncommon secondary copper nitrate.
Easy to confuse with its dimorph gerhardtite (both have very similar X-ray powder diffraction patterns). At ambient temperatures, rouaite is metastable by comparison to gerhardtite, but the transformation from rouaite to gerhardtite is strongly inhibited (Oswald, 1961).
Easy to confuse with its dimorph gerhardtite (both have very similar X-ray powder diffraction patterns). At ambient temperatures, rouaite is metastable by comparison to gerhardtite, but the transformation from rouaite to gerhardtite is strongly inhibited (Oswald, 1961).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
10588
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:10588:8
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Rouaite
Classification of Rouaite
5.NB.05
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
B : With OH
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
B : With OH
Dana 7th ed.:
19.1.2.1
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Rou | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Rouaite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Dark emerald-green
Streak:
Clear green
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on (001), and rarely macled by contact on (100)
Perfect on (001), and rarely macled by contact on (100)
Density:
3.38 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.39 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Rouaite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.700 nβ = 1.715 nγ = 1.738
2V:
Measured: 81° , Calculated: 80°
Birefringence:
0.038
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.038
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = dark blue-green, Y = blue-green, Z = pale-green
Comments:
Dispersion very strong
Chemistry of Rouaite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2(NO3)(OH)3
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Rouaite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2 - Sphenoidal
Space Group:
P21
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.596(2) Å, b = 6.079(2) Å, c = 6.925(3) Å
β = 94.67(2)°
β = 94.67(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.921 : 1 : 1.139
Unit Cell V:
234.79 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Tabular on {001} or equant.
Comment:
Commonly twinned on {001}.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010858 | Rouaite | Effenberger H (1983) Verfeinerung der kristallstruktur des monoklinen dikupfer(II)-trihydroxi-nitrates Cu2(NO3)(OH)3 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 165 127-135 |  | 1983 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.9078 Å | (100) |
| 4.1164 Å | (3) |
| 3.6292 Å | (3) |
| 3.4539 Å | (27) |
| 3.4499 Å | (3) |
| 3.0463 Å | (1) |
| 3.0040 Å | (1) |
| 2.7939 Å | (5) |
| 2.6728 Å | (15) |
| 2.6634 Å | (15) |
| 2.5246 Å | (4) |
| 2.5225 Å | (3) |
| 2.4619 Å | (26) |
| 2.3026 Å | (2) |
| 2.2603 Å | (12) |
| 2.1531 Å | (8) |
| 2.0937 Å | (3) |
| 2.0766 Å | (17) |
| 1.8492 Å | (5) |
| 1.7777 Å | (5) |
| 1.7270 Å | (2) |
| 1.7131 Å | (8) |
| 1.7125 Å | (2) |
| 1.5887 Å | (7) |
| 1.5713 Å | (6) |
| 1.5262 Å | (4) |
| 1.5232 Å | (2) |
| 1.5217 Å | (3) |
| 1.4861 Å | (5) |
| 1.4813 Å | (2) |
| 1.4759 Å | (4) |
| 1.4264 Å | (2) |
| 1.4202 Å | (2) |
| 1.4082 Å | (2) |
| 1.3926 Å | (1) |
| 1.3504 Å | (1) |
| 1.3489 Å | (1) |
| 1.3213 Å | (2) |
| 1.2696 Å | (1) |
| 1.2623 Å | (2) |
| 1.2464 Å | (2) |
| 1.2090 Å | (1) |
| 1.1750 Å | (2) |
Comments:
American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database Record
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Rouaite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Rouaite
Other Language Names for Rouaite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 18 photos of Rouaite associated with Cuprite | Cu2O |
| 6 photos of Rouaite associated with Gerhardtite | Cu2(NO3)(OH)3 |
| 5 photos of Rouaite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 4 photos of Rouaite associated with Buttgenbachite | Cu19(NO3)2(OH)32Cl4 · 2H2O |
| 3 photos of Rouaite associated with Connellite | Cu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O |
| 2 photos of Rouaite associated with Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 2 photos of Rouaite associated with Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 1 photo of Rouaite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 1 photo of Rouaite associated with Likasite | Cu3(NO3)(OH)5 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Rouaite associated with Atacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.NB. | Nitroplumbite | [Pb4(OH)4](NO3)4 |
| 5.NB.05 | Gerhardtite | Cu2(NO3)(OH)3 |
Fluorescence of Rouaite
Not fluorescent in UV
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Rouaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-10588.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Rouaite
Reference List:
Oswald, H. R. (1961) Über natürlichen und künstlichen Gerhardtit. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 116 (3) 210-219 doi:10.1524/zkri.1961.116.3-6.210
Effenberger, H. (1983) Verfeinerung der Kristallstruktur des monoklinen Dikupfer(II)-trihydroxi-nitrates Cu2(NO3)(OH)3. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 165 (1). 127-135 doi:10.1524/zkri.1983.165.1-4.127
Guillou, N., Louër, M., Louër, D. (1994) An X-Ray and Neutron Powder Diffraction Study of a New Polymorphic Phase of Copper Hydroxide Nitrate. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 109. 307-314 doi:10.1006/jssc.1994.1108
Localities for Rouaite
Showing 21 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Austria | |
| Kolitsch (2012) |
| Kolitsch (2018) |
| Kolitsch (2013) |
Czech Republic | |
| RRUFF Project. Single crystal X-Ray ... |
| Rruff project single crystal XRD. | |
DR Congo | |
| Oswald (1961) |
| Joy Desor (Raman analysis) +1 other reference |
France (TL) | |
| Sarp et al. (2001) |
Germany | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2010) |
Morocco | |
| Georges FAVREAU collection & EDX analysis - MicroRaman confirmation by SpectraLab (Italy) +1 other reference |
| Xevi Ortiz collection. |
| Xevi Ortiz collection. | |
Portugal | |
| Pedro Alves analytical data |
| Alves (n.d.) |
Russia | |
| webmineral.ru (2020) |
Spain | |
| Joy Desor ID by Raman spectroscopy |
| Sainz de Baranda Graf (2025) |
Sweden | |
| - (n.d.) |
USA | |
| Marek Chorazewicz (2018) |
| Sarp et al. (15 Oct 2001) |
Zimbabwe | |
| Uwe Kolitsch collection (SXRD analysis) |
Quick NavTopAbout RouaiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Slag dumps, Sitio do Cobre Mine, Vila Velha de Ródão, Vila Velha de Ródão, Castelo Branco, Portugal