Cupalite

• IMA 1983-084

Cupalit is a very rare mineral from the mineral class of elements, specifically the metals and intermetallic compounds. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system with the chemical composition (Cu, Zn) Al and forms globular grains of up to 35 microns in size and Khatyrkit irregularly shaped grains of up to 20 microns in size of the cracks Khatyrkits.

Etymology and history

Cupalit was the first time in 1985 by L.V. Razin and N.S. Rudashevskij and L.N. Vyalsov in the type locality in the autonomous district of the Koryak found in Russia's Far East. It is named after the composition of copper and aluminum.

Classification

In the classification by Strunz Cupalit is counted among the metals and intermetallic compounds, a subset of the elements. After the 8th edition forms a group together with aluminum, Bogdanovit and Khatyrkit. In the 9th edition, it forms a separate subgroup of copper Cupalit family.

In the classification by Dana it forms with Khatyrkit a subset of the metallic elements other than the platinum metals.

Education and Locations

Cupalit are found in alluvial deposits, which are formed during the leaching of serpentinite. It is associated with Khatyrkit and other zinc -aluminum alloys. Findings are far known only from the type locality.

Crystal structure

Cupalit crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system with the lattice parameters a = 6.95 Å, b = 4.16 Å and c = 10.04 Å, and ten formula units per unit cell. An exact space group is not known.