Artsmithite

Formula: Hg4Al(PO4)2-x(OH)1+3x (x=0.26)

Origin of name: For Arthur E. Smith Jr. (b.1935), American petroleum geologist and mineral collector, who originally found the material

 

Crystal system: Monoclinic

Crystal class: 2/m

Twinning: 

Unit cell: a = 17.022 Å, b = 9.074 Å, c = 7.015 Å, β = 101.2°

 

Colour: Colourless, white

Diaphaneity: Transparent to translucent

Luster: Adamtine, vitreous

Habit: Fibrous - Crystals made up of fibers., Acicular - Occurs as needle-like crystals.

Hardness

Specific gravity: 6.37

Cleavage: None

Tenacity: Irregular/uneven fracture

Streak: Off white to cream

 

Synonyms/varieties:

 

Comments:  IMA approved 2002. Secondary mineral derived from cinnabar in the Jackfork Sandstone member of the Stanley Formation (Pennsylvanian Age).

 

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