The blue color of linarite is magnificent, and it is a pity that large facetable rough has not been found. Clean areas of crystals are usually very small, and breakage in cutting due to the softness and cleavage of the mineral further complicates the salvaging of a large gem. This is a lovely collector item and an extremely rare one.
Streak: Pale blue.
Optics: a = 1.809; β= 1.838, γ= 1.859.
Biaxial (-), 2V= 80°.
Occurrence: Secondary mineral in the oxidized zones of lead-copper deposits.
Blanchard Mine, Socorro County, New Mexico: California: Montana: Utah: Idaho: Nevada.
England: Scotland; Spain: Germany: Sardinia: Russia: Canada: Argentina: Peru: Chile: Japan: Australia: Tsumeb, Namibia.
Mammoth Mine, Tiger, Arizona: large crystals of fine color.
Grand Reef, Arizona: large crystals, some cuttable.
Comments: The blue color of linarite is magnificent, and it is a pity that large facetable rough has not been found. Clean areas of crystals are usually very small, and breakage in cutting due to the softness and cleavage of the mineral further complicates the salvaging of a large gem. This is a lovely collector item and an extremely rare one.
Name: After the locality, Linares, Spain.