Routhierite

Last updated
Routhierite
Routhierite.jpg
Routhierite cristals (red).
General
CategorySulfosalt mineral
Formula Tl(Cu,Ag)(Hg,Zn)2(As,Sb)2S6
IMA symbol Rtr [1]
Strunz classification 2.GA.40
Crystal system Tetragonal
Crystal class Ditetragonal pyramidal (4mm)
H-M symbol: (4mm)
Space group I4mm
Unit cell a = 9.9821(11),
c = 11.3122(12) [Å]; Z = 4
Identification
ColorViolet-red
Crystal habit Anhedral grains, xenomorphic grains and veinlets
Twinning Microscopic polysynthetic twin lamellae
Cleavage 2; two perpendicular
Mohs scale hardness3.5
Luster Metallic
Diaphaneity Opaque
Density 5.83
Pleochroism Weak
References [2] [3] [4]

Routhierite is a rare thallium sulfosalt mineral with formula Tl(Cu,Ag)(Hg,Zn)2(As,Sb)2S6.

It was first described in 1974 for an occurrence in the Jas Roux deposit in the French Alps. [3] It was named after French geologist Pierre Routhier (1916–2008). [5] It is also reported from the Northern Ural Mountains, Russia and the Thunder Bay district of Ontario, Canada. [2]

References

  1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi: 10.1180/mgm.2021.43 . S2CID   235729616.
  2. 1 2 Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. 1 2 "Routhierite". mindat.org the mineral database.
  4. Routhierite Mineral Data
  5. Biography in french (archived)