Hutchinsonite

Hutchinsonite
Hutchinsonite, from Quiruvilca Mine, Santiago de Chuco Province, Peru. Size: 4.5×4.4×2.2 cm
General
Category Sulfosalt mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
(Tl,Pb)2As5S9
Strunz classification 2.HD.45
Crystal system Orthorhombic
Crystal class Dipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space group Pbca
Identification
Color Red, pink, black
Crystal habit Acicular – cccurs as needle-like crystals
Cleavage {100} good
Fracture Very brittle fracture producing small, conchoidal fragments
Mohs scale hardness 1.5–2
Luster Sub-metallic
Streak Red
Diaphaneity Subtranslucent to opaque
Specific gravity 4.6
Optical properties biaxial (-)
Refractive index nα = 3.078
nβ = 3.176
nγ = 3.188; 2V = 37°
Birefringence δ = 0.110
References [1][2][3]

Hutchinsonite is a sulfosalt mineral of thallium, arsenic and lead with formula (Tl,Pb)2As5S9. Hutchinsonite is a rare hydrothermal mineral.

It was first discovered in Binnental, Switzerland in 1904 and named after Cambridge mineralogist Arthur Hutchinson, F.R.S. (1866–1937).

See also

References

Further reading

  • Prior, G. T. (1905). "A New Thallium Mineral". Nature. 71 (1849): 534. Bibcode:1905Natur..71Q.534P. doi:10.1038/071534b0.
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