Kermesite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Kermesite
Formula:
Sb2S2O
Colour:
Red
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
1 - 1½
Specific Gravity:
4.5 - 4.6
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
From Greek kermes (from the Persian "qurmizq", "crimson"), a name (in the older chemistry) for red amorphous antimony trisulphide, often mixed with antimony trioxide.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2187
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2187:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
ebe689ad-582c-4100-9923-22e499116b8c
IMA Classification of Kermesite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Sb2OS2
Classification of Kermesite
2.FD.05
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
F : Sulfides of arsenic, alkalies; sulfides with halide, oxide, hydroxide, H2O
D : With O, OH, H2O
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
F : Sulfides of arsenic, alkalies; sulfides with halide, oxide, hydroxide, H2O
D : With O, OH, H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
2.13.1.1
2.13.1.1
2 : SULFIDES
13 : Oxysulfides
2 : SULFIDES
13 : Oxysulfides
4.2
4 : Oxysulphides
4 : Oxysulphides
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Kem | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Kem | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Kermesite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Red
Streak:
Brownish Red
Hardness:
1 - 1½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {100}
Perfect on {100}
Density:
4.5 - 4.6 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.85 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Kermesite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 2.720 nβ = 2.740 nγ = 2.740
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.020
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
Optical Extinction:
Z = b = elongation.
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 31.10% | 37.50% |
| 440nm | 29.05% | 35.30% |
| 480nm | 27.15% | 32.95% |
| 520nm | 25.70% | 31.30% |
| 560nm | 24.80% | 30.00% |
| 600nm | 24.05% | 28.95% |
| 640nm | 23.50% | 28.25% |
| 680nm | 23.20% | 27.85% |
| 720nm | 23.00% | 27.55% |
| 760nm | 22.80% | 27.35% |
| 800nm | 22.70% | 27.15% |
| 840nm | 22.60% | 27.05% |
| 880nm | 22.50% | 26.95% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 37.50%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Comments:
Reflectivity from Cervelle, 1972.
Chemistry of Kermesite
Mindat Formula:
Sb2S2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Kermesite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.84 Å, b = 4.07 Å, c = 10.25 Å
α = 90°, β = 101.53°, γ = 90°
α = 90°, β = 101.53°, γ = 90°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.663 : 1 : 2.518
Unit Cell V:
443.09 ų
Z:
4
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014693 | Kermesite | Kupcik V (1967) Die kristallstruktur des kermesits, Sb2S2O Naturwissenschaften 54 114-114 | 1967 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0014820 | Kermesite | Bonazzi P, Menchetti S, Sabelli C (1987) Structure refinement of kermesite: symmetry, twinning, and comparison with stibnite Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1987 557-567 | 1987 | Braunsdorf, Czechoslovakia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.92 Å | (100) |
| 3.13 Å | (90) |
| 2.69 Å | (70) |
| 4.06 Å | (60) |
| 1.782 Å | (60) |
| 5.29 Å | (50) |
| 2.49 Å | (50) |
Comments:
Zimbabwe. JCPDS 11-91.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Kermesite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Synonyms of Kermesite
Other Language Names for Kermesite
German:Kermesit
Antimonblende
Antimonzinnober
Goldschwefel
Pyrostibit
Rotspießglanz (of Klaproth)
Rotspießglaserz (of Emmerling)
Antimonblende
Antimonzinnober
Goldschwefel
Pyrostibit
Rotspießglanz (of Klaproth)
Rotspießglaserz (of Emmerling)
Italian:Kermesite
Russian:Кермезит
Simplified Chinese:红锑矿
Slovak:Kermezit
Spanish:Kermesita
Pirostibita
Pirostibita
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 113 photos of Kermesite associated with Stibnite | Sb2S3 |
| 86 photos of Kermesite associated with Valentinite | Sb2O3 |
| 37 photos of Kermesite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 34 photos of Kermesite associated with Senarmontite | Sb2O3 |
| 31 photos of Kermesite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 22 photos of Kermesite associated with Antimony | Sb |
| 20 photos of Kermesite associated with Schafarzikite | Fe2+Sb3+2O4 |
| 10 photos of Kermesite associated with Stibiconite | Sb3+Sb5+2O6(OH) |
| 9 photos of Kermesite associated with Parapierrotite | TlSb5S8 |
| 9 photos of Kermesite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.FD. | Ferrovalleriite | 2(Fe,Cu)S · 1.5Fe(OH)2 |
| 2.FD.10 | Viaeneite | (Fe,Pb)4S8O |
| 2.FD.20 | Erdite | NaFeS2 · 2H2O |
| 2.FD.25 | Coyoteite | NaFe3S5 · 2H2O |
| 2.FD.30 | Haapalaite | (Fe2+,Ni)2(Mg,Fe2+)1.61S2(OH)3.22 |
| 2.FD.30 | Valleriite | (Fe2+,Cu)4(Mg,Al)3S4(OH,O)6 |
| 2.FD.30 | Yushkinite | (Mg,Al)V4+S2(OH)2 |
| 2.FD.30 | Ekplexite | (Nb,Mo,W)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+x |
| 2.FD.35 | Tochilinite | Fe2+5-6(Mg,Fe2+)5S6(OH)10 |
| 2.FD.35 | Ferrotochilinite | Fe2+6(Fe2+,Mg)5S6(OH)10 |
| 2.FD.35 | Kaskasite | (Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+x |
| 2.FD.35 | Manganokaskasite | (Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mn1-xAlx)(OH)2+x |
| 2.FD.40 | Wilhelmramsayite | Cu3FeS3 · 2H2O |
| 2.FD.45 | Vyalsovite | FeCaAlS(OH)5 |
| 2.FD.50 | Bazhenovite | Ca8S2(S3)(S2O3)(OH)12 · 20H2O |
| 2.FD.55 | UM2004-56-OS:BiCuPb | PbCu4Bi4S2(O,OH,H2O)16 (?) |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Kermesite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2187.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Kermesite
Reference List:
Localities for Kermesite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Algeria | |
| BARRAL (2013) |
Australia | |
| Paul Melville collection |
| Gilligan et al. (1992) +1 other reference |
| Gilligan et al. (1992) |
| Diemar et al. (2009) |
| Judy Rowe collection | |
| Worner et al. (et al) |
| WILKINSON et al. (ed.) |
| |
| F.Bussat 1980 |
| Bussat et al. (1980) | |
| |
Austria | |
| Huber et al. (1977) +1 other reference |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Hiden (1997) |
| Exel (1993) |
| Hohl (1929) |
Bolivia | |
| Philip Blümner specimens |
| Wilson (2001) +1 other reference |
| Dr. Fritz Berndt | |
| Wilson (2001) | |
Canada | |
| Peatfield (n.d.) |
| Cabri et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Dana 6:1104. +1 other reference |
| Sabina (2003) |
| Dana 7:I:280. +1 other reference |
| Ontario Geological Survey Miscellaneous ... +1 other reference |
| Collection of Robert C. Smith |
| an example of gudmundite-native ... +3 other references |
| Peatfield (n.d.) |
China | |
| Chunsheng Wang (1986) |
| Ottens (2007) |
| Renke Li (1993) +1 other reference | |
| Yongke Chen et al. (2004) |
| Guozhang Wen et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Bert Ottens |
| Ottens (2007) | |
| Su Sun (1993) |
Colombia | |
| Publications of the Field Columbian ... |
Czech Republic | |
| Losert J.: Nález antimonového ... |
| |
| Brabec (2002) | |
| [Bull.N.M.Praha 2002 |
| [Bull.N.M.Praha 2002 | |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) |
| Fojt +8 other references |
| Pauliš et al. (2019) |
| Veselovský (2019) | |
| Natural History Museum Vienna collection (pyrostilpnite specimen catalogued in 1942) |
Finland | |
| Kojonen et al. (2008) |
| Wilke (1976) +1 other reference |
| Geological Survey of Finland website |
France | |
| Chollet Pascal Collection |
| inventaire cantal |
| R. Pierrot |
| Robin Fialip |
| J.-J. Périchaud: "Les Minéraux ... |
| Sebastian Axt Collection |
| Queneau (n.d.) | |
| Pélisson (1989) |
| C. Vialaron : La mine d'antimoine de Daü et al. (1999) |
| C. Vialaron : La mine d'antimoine de Daü et al. (1999) | |
| C. Vialaron : La mine d'antimoine de Daü et al. (1999) | |
| J.J. Périchaud (Massif Central Français) | |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| ... |
| Personally collected by Matthias Diot ... |
| BRGM (1981) |
| Vialaron C. (1996) |
| R.PIERROT et al. (1973) |
| Chauris (2014) |
| Pillard F. et al. (1985) |
| Wittern (1997) |
| FLUCK et al. (1992) |
| Une ancienne mine d'Antimoine dans le Limousin aurifère ( Georges Hyvert ) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Michel Arliguie personal observations |
| Berbain et al. (2005) |
| Pigetvieux (1981) |
| François GARRIC collection - EDX ... |
| Bernadi G. (2004) | |
| Baret (1905) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Johan et al. (2000) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| |
| |
| Lapis (6) |
| Bender et al. (1994) |
| Beyer (1978) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| 90. +1 other reference |
| Enrico Bonacina |
| Klaproth (1802) | |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (1999) |
| Rieck et al. (1999) | |
| Kanellopoulos et al. (2024) |
Iran | |
| Rafiei et al. (2010) |
| Asadi et al. (2000) |
Italy | |
| Fioretti (1944) +4 other references |
| Del Caldo et al. (1973) |
| AA. VV. |
| Bedognè et al. (2006) |
| Romani (1989) +1 other reference | |
| Conti - Vecchi et al. (1991) |
| Traverso (1898) +1 other reference |
| Mariani & Scaini +4 other references | |
| Jervis (1881) +1 other reference |
| Burtet Fabris B. (1994) |
| Meli (2000) |
| Bonifazi (2020) |
| Benvenuti M. et al. (1992/93) |
| Duchi G. (1983) +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| ... |
| Masutomi Museum specimen (Kyoto) |
| Dr. Kameki Kinoshita collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan) |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| Evseev (1995) |
| Anthony et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
Luxembourg | |
| Philippo et al. (2007) |
Mexico | |
| Loranth |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Mineralogical Record +1 other reference |
New Zealand | |
| Boyle (1979) |
| Pirajno (1979) |
| 2004 |
North Macedonia | |
| Boev et al. (1993) |
| Antonović (1965) |
Poland | |
| Mochnacka et al. (2000) |
Portugal | |
| Mateus et al. (2005) |
| Mateus |
| Bello |
| |
| |
| |
| Nuno Afonso collection |
Romania | |
| Szakáll (2002) |
Serbia | |
| Slobodan A. Radosavljević et al. (2013) | |
| F. Hermann (1947) |
| Slobodan A. Radosavljević +4 other references | |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Koděra (1986) | |
| Števko et al. (2009) |
| Ďuďa (1993) |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Sejkora J. et al. (2007) |
| Adrian F. & Paul K. M. +2 other references |
| Daniel Ozdín personal collection. | |
| Laco Turecky collection | |
| Števko M. et al. (2021) | |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Pauliš P. | |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Duda |
| Duda et. all. |
| Pauliš |
| Koděra (1986) |
South Africa | |
| Econ Geol (1997) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
Spain | |
| Calvo (2003) |
| Calvo et al. (2014) |
| Calvo (2003) |
| |
Switzerland | |
| Romani (2000) +1 other reference |
| Romani (2000) +1 other reference | |
| Romani (2000) +1 other reference | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Schmutz et al. (1986) | |
| Meisser N. et al. (2020) | |
| Schmutz et al. (1986) | |
| Köppel V. (1966) +1 other reference |
| chmutz et al. (1986) |
Tajikistan | |
| Badalov et al. (1975) |
Turkey | |
| Erik Vercammen collection. |
| Aral (1989) |
| Aral (1989) | |
UK | |
| Tindle (2008) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Fortey et al. (1984) +1 other reference |
| Day (1999) |
| Stanley et al. (1991) | |
| Williams (1973) |
| National Museum of Wales mineral ... +1 other reference |
Ukraine | |
| Tischenko Alexander |
USA | |
| - (2008) |
| USGS OFR 2004-1200 (Hawley,2004) |
| - (2008) |
| - (2008) | |
| - (2008) | |
| - (2008) | |
| - (2008) |
| - (2008) |
| - (2008) |
| - (2008) | |
| - (2008) |
| R.O. Meyer collection |
| Palache et al. (1944) +1 other reference | |
| |
| Hoffman (1878) +1 other reference |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 132 +2 other references |
| - (2005) |
| Ream (1995) |
| Rocks & Min. 70:262 |
| - (2005) |
| Donald Edward White (1940) +1 other reference | |
| Ream (1995) | |
| Chris Tucker and John Betts specimens. +1 other reference |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| USGS Open-File Report 76-56 +1 other reference |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| J.V. Tingley and J. Quade (1986) +1 other reference | |
| NBMG Bull 99B Geology and Mineral ... |
| NBMG Bull 99B Geology and Mineral ... |
| NBMG Bull 99B Geology and Mineral ... |
| Ferguson (1924) +1 other reference |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Castor et al. (2004) +2 other references |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Wagner |
| K. Starnes |
| Wagner |
| - (2005) |
| Norman King |
| Calkins +3 other references |
| Cannon (1975) |
Zimbabwe | |
| Rob Lavinsky |
| Min.Rec.: 21:104 +2 other references |
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Nová Alexander adit, Kolársky vrch deposit, Pezinok, Pezinok District, Bratislava Region, Slovakia