Terlinguaite

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Terlinguaite
Calomel, Terlinguaite-222734.jpg
Terlinguaite, collected from Mariposa Mine, Terlingua District, Brewster County, Texas, United States
General
Category Halide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Hg2ClO
IMA symbol Tlg [1]
Strunz classification 3.DD.20
Crystal system Monoclinic
Crystal class Prismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space group C2/c
Unit cell a = 19.51  Å, b = 5.91 Å
c = 9.47 Å; β = 143.81°; Z = 4
Identification
ColorSulfur-yellow, greenish yellow, brown
Crystal habit Aggregates of equant to elongated crystals, powdery, massive
Cleavage Perfect on [101]
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness2.5
Luster Brilliant adamantine
Streak Lemon-yellow, turning olive-green
Diaphaneity Transparent to translucent
Specific gravity 9.22
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)
Refractive index nα = 2.350 nβ = 2.640 nγ = 2.660
Birefringence δ = 0.310
Pleochroism Weak, green and yellow
2V angle Measured: 20°
Alters toturns olive-green on exposure to light
References [2] [3] [4]

Terlinguaite is the naturally occurring mineral with formula Hg 2 Cl O. It is formed by the weathering of other mercury-containing minerals. It was discovered in 1900 in the Terlingua District of Brewster County, Texas, for which it is named. [5] Its color is yellow, greenish yellow, brown, or olive green.

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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. Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. Mindat.org
  4. Webmineral data
  5. Hillebrand, W. F.; Schaller, W. T. (1907). "Art. XXVI. "The Mercury Minerals from Terlingua, Texas: Kleinite, Terlinguaite, Eglestonite, Montroydite, Calomel, Mercury"". The American Journal of Science. s4-24 (139): 259–274. doi:10.2475/ajs.s4-24.141.259 . Retrieved 2009-05-21.