Clausthalite

Summary

Clausthalite is a lead selenide mineral, PbSe. It forms a solid solution series with galena PbS.

Clausthalite
General
CategorySelenide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
PbSe
IMA symbolCth[1]
Strunz classification2.CD.10
Dana classification02.08.01.02
Crystal systemIsometric
Crystal classHexoctahedral (m3m)
H-M symbol: (4/m 3 2/m)
Space groupFm3m
Identification
ColorBluish gray to lead-gray
Crystal habitMassive to granular with euhedral crystals
Cleavage{001} Perfect, {010} Perfect, {100} Perfect
Mohs scale hardness2.5
LusterMetallic
Streakgrayish black
Diaphaneityopaque
Specific gravity7.6–8.8
References[2][3][4][5]

Occurrence edit

It occurs in low-sulfur hydrothermal deposits with other selenides and in mercury deposits. It is associated with tiemannite, klockmannite, berzelianite, umangite, gold, stibiopalladinite and uraninite.[3]

It was first described in 1832 and named for the discovery locality of Clausthal-Zellerfeld in the Harz Mountains, Germany.[5]

See also edit

References edit

  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. ^ Mineralienatlas
  3. ^ a b http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/clausthalite.pdf Handbook of Mineralogy
  4. ^ http://webmineral.com/data/Clausthalite.shtml Webmineral data
  5. ^ a b http://www.mindat.org/min-1061.html Mindat