Terlinguaite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Terlinguaite
Formula:
[Hg3]4+Hg2+Cl2O2
Colour:
Yellow-, yellow-green, brown (darkens to olive-green on exposure to light); pale olive-green in transmitted light
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
8.725
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after its discovery locality, Terlingua, Brewster County, Texas, USA.
Type Locality:
The mineral is remarkable for containing Hg3 rings with coordination number 6 as structural unit as well as isolated Hg atoms with coordination number 4 (planar; Aurivillius and Folkmarson, 1968, Brodersen et al., 1989).
According to Borisov et al. (2003), the [Hg3]4+ polycation may possibly also be present in kuznetsovite.
According to Borisov et al. (2003), the [Hg3]4+ polycation may possibly also be present in kuznetsovite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3914
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3914:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
246a009d-3e13-4b0d-9bc7-e63c65708cc5
IMA Classification of Terlinguaite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Hg2OCl
First published:
1900
Classification of Terlinguaite
3.DD.20
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
D : With Hg
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
D : With Hg
10.4.2.1
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
4 : A2(O,OH)Xq
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
4 : A2(O,OH)Xq
8.5.3
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
5 : Halides of Zn and Hg
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
5 : Halides of Zn and Hg
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 |
---|---|---|
Tlg | 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 Terlinguaite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Yellow-, yellow-green, brown (darkens to olive-green on exposure to light); pale olive-green in transmitted light
Streak:
Lemon yellow
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {101}
On {101}
Density:
8.725 g/cm3 (Measured) 8.73 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Terlinguaite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 2.350 nβ = 2.640 nγ = 2.660
2V:
Measured: 20° , Calculated: 26°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.310
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Slightly pleochroic in green and yellow.
Chemistry of Terlinguaite
Mindat Formula:
[Hg3]4+Hg2+Cl2O2
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Terlinguaite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 19.51 Å, b = 5.91 Å, c = 9.47 Å
β = 143.81°
β = 143.81°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 3.301 : 1 : 1.602
Unit Cell V:
644.75 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals prismatic [010] and often somewhat flattened on {001}; rarely prismatic in a pyramidal direction; also equidimensional, or thick tabular {001}. Pulverulent; massive aggregates of imperfect crystals (Dana, 7th. ed.: 53).
Comment:
C2/c (synthetic).
Crystallographic forms of Terlinguaite
Crystal Atlas:
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0011911 | Terlinguaite | Aurivillius K, Folkmarson L (1968) The crystal structure of terlinguaite Hg4O2Cl2 Acta Chemica Scandinavica 22 2529-2540 | 1968 | Terlingua, Texas, USA | 0 | 293 | |
0015794 | Terlinguaite | Brodersen K, Gobel G, Liehr G (1989) Terlinguait Hg4O2Cl2 - ein mineral mit ungewohnlichen Hg3-baueinheiten Zeitschrift fur Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie 575 145-153 | 1989 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
2.505 Å | (100) |
5.76 Å | (80) |
4.17 Å | (80) |
3.28 Å | (80) |
2 Å | ( |
815 Å | (80) |
2.596 Å | (80) |
4.34 Å | (60) |
Comments:
Synthetic, ICDD 25-559.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] | |
47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Terlinguaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Agglomeration of imperfect striated, bright yellow crystals. Less frequently as doubly terminated crystals to 1 mm in length.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Muséum Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France, number 1041203.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Secondary mineral in a hydrothermal mercury deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Turner, W.H. (1900) Terlinguaite. in The Terlingua Mining District, Brewster Co., Texas, Mining and Scientific Press (San Francisco): 21 July 1900.
Other Language Names for Terlinguaite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
10 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Cinnabar | HgS |
7 photos of Terlinguaite associated with CCUK-8 | (Hg, CrO4, S, H2O)? |
5 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
5 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Calomel | [Hg2]2+Cl2 |
4 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Montroydite | HgO |
3 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Goethite | α-Fe3+O(OH) |
2 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Kleinite | (Hg2N)(Cl,SO4) · nH2O |
2 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Eglestonite | [Hg2]2+3OCl3(OH) |
1 photo of Terlinguaite associated with Corderoite | Hg2+3S2Cl2 |
1 photo of Terlinguaite associated with Shakhovite | [Hg2]2+Hg2+2[Sb3+O3](OH)3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
3.DD. | Mikecoxite | [CHg4]OCl2 |
3.DD.05 | Eglestonite | [Hg2]2+3OCl3(OH) |
3.DD.05 | Kadyrelite | [Hg2]2+3OBr3(OH) |
3.DD.10 | Poyarkovite | [Hg2]2+3Cl2O2 |
3.DD.15 | Hanawaltite | [Hg2]2+3Hg2+(Cl,OH)2O3 |
3.DD.25 | Pinchite | Hg2+5Cl2O4 |
3.DD.30 | Gianellaite | [(Hg2N)2](SO4)(H2O)x |
3.DD.30 | Mosesite | (Hg2N)(Cl,SO4,MoO4) · H2O |
3.DD.35 | Kleinite | (Hg2N)(Cl,SO4) · nH2O |
3.DD.40 | Tedhadleyite | [Hg2]2+5Hg2+I2(Cl,Br)2O4 |
3.DD.45 | Vasilyevite | [Hg2]2+10I3Br2Cl[CO3]O6 |
3.DD.50 | Aurivilliusite | [Hg2]2+Hg2+2(I,Br,Cl)2O2 |
3.DD.55 | Terlinguacreekite | Hg2+3Cl2O2 |
3.DD.60 | Kelyanite | [Hg]2+6Sb3+BrCl2O6 |
3.DD.65 | Comancheite | Hg2+55N3-24(NH2,OH)4(Cl,Br)34 |
3.DD.70 | Gaildunningite | Hg2+3[NHg2+2]18(Cl,I,OH,Br,S)24 |
Other Information
Notes:
Turns black immediately when treated with hydrogen sulfide. Ammonia causes a slower change to black. Decomposed with separation of calomel by acetic, hydrochloric, and nitric acids.
Health Risks:
Contains mercury - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest.
Internet Links for Terlinguaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3914.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Terlinguaite
Reference List:
Localities for Terlinguaite
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).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Austria | |
| Schnorrer et al. (2002) |
Germany | |
| Lapis 2001 (6) |
Stephan Wolfsried collection | |
Dreyer (1975) | |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| Kolesar et al. (1993) |
[Lapis 11:11-24] +2 other references | |
Mexico | |
| Gallagher et al. (1948) |
Panczner (1987) | |
Panczner (1987) | |
Panczner (1987) | |
| Percy Babb (1909) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Canadian Mineralogist Feb. 1999 +1 other reference |
| Pervukhina et al. (2003) |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022) |
USA | |
| Roberts et al. (2003) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 115 +2 other references |
| Dunning et al. (2005) |
| Dunning |
Murdoch (1966) | |
| Rocks & Minerals |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
Castor et al. (2004) | |
| McCormack (2000) |
| Rocks & Minerals: 66 (3) |
Smith (1991) | |
Kelly Nash Collection | |
Mining & Scientific Press +2 other references |
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Landsberg, Obermoschel, Nordpfälzer Land, Donnersbergkreis, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany