Mcguinnessite is a mineral that was discovered in 1996 in the Broken Hill ore deposit in New South Wales, Australia. It is named after the Australian geologist, Brendan Mcguinness, who contributed significantly to the understanding of the geology and mineralogy of the Broken Hill region.
Mcguinnessite belongs to the carbonate mineral group and has a chemical composition of Pb2Cu(Nd,U)(PO4)2(OH)2·H2O. It is classified as a hydrated copper-lead-uranium phosphate mineral. Structurally, it belongs to the triclinic crystal system and typically forms small, prismatic or acicular crystals.
In terms of physical properties, mcguinnessite has a vitreous to silky luster and can vary in color, ranging from light to dark green. It has a relatively low hardness on the Mohs scale, measuring approximately 3.5 to 4. Additionally, mcguinnessite is non-fluorescent and does not exhibit any notable magnetic properties.
Due to its rare occurrence and limited distribution, mcguinnessite is primarily of interest to mineral collectors and researchers. It is often found in association with other minerals such as plumbogummite, wulfenite, cerussite, and mimetite.
In conclusion, mcguinnessite is a relatively rare mineral that belongs to the carbonate group. Its distinctive chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties make it remarkable among mineralogical specimens.
