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Laurionite

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Big Photo

Thorikos Bay slag locality, Thorikos area, Lavrion District slag localities, Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District, Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture, Greece
© Elmar Lackner

Show Laurionite Photos (49)



Formula:
PbCl(OH)
System:OrthorhombicColour:Colourless, white
Hardness:3 - 3½
Member of:Matlockite Group
Name:After the locality at Laurion, Greece.
Dimorph of:Paralaurionite


Matlockite Group.

Classification of Laurionite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:3/D.0-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:3.DC.05

3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
C : With Pb (As,Sb,Bi), without Cu
Dana 8th edition ID:10.2.2.1

10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
2 : A(O,OH)Xq
Hey's CIM Ref.:8.8.7

8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
8 : Halides of Pb
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Type Occurrence of Laurionite

Type Locality:Lavrion District slag localities, Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District, Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture, Greece
Year of Discovery:1887
Associated Minerals at type locality:
PhosgenitePenfielditeParalaurioniteFiedleriteCerussite
Anglesite

Occurrences of Laurionite

Geological Setting:Saline water acting on lead slags. Oxidation zone in lead deposits.

Physical Properties of Laurionite

Lustre:Adamantine, Pearly
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Comment:pearly on {100}
Colour:Colourless, white
Hardness (Mohs):3 - 3½
Tenacity:Flexible
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
On {101}.
Density (measured):6.241 g/cm3
Density (calculated):6.212 g/cm3

Crystallography of Laurionite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:a = 7.111Å, b = 9.6987Å, c = 4.0203Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.733 : 1 : 0.415
Unit Cell Volume:V 277.27 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Crystals elongated [010] thick to thin tabular {100}. {100} striated [021] at times. Significant form {812} is generally replaced , or accompanied, by vicinal faces.
Crystal Atlas:
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Laurionite no.1 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Laurionite no.2 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Laurionite no.5 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

About Crystal Atlas

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Optical Data of Laurionite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 2.077 nβ = 2.116 nγ = 2.158
2V:Measured: 70° , Calculated: 90°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.081

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Dispersion:r < v strong

Chemical Properties of Laurionite

Formula:
PbCl(OH)
Essential elements:Cl, H, O, Pb
All elements listed in formula:Cl, H, O, Pb

Relationship of Laurionite to other Species

Member of:Matlockite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
3.DC.05Paralaurionite
PbCl(OH)
3.DC.10Fiedlerite
Pb
 
3
FCl
 
4
(OH) · H
 
2
O
3.DC.15Penfieldite
Pb
 
2
Cl
 
3
(OH)
3.DC.20Laurelite
Pb
 
7
F
 
12
Cl
 
2
3.DC.25Bismoclite
(BiO)Cl
3.DC.25Daubréeite
(BiO)(OH,Cl)
3.DC.25Matlockite
PbFCl
3.DC.25Rorisite
CaFCl
3.DC.25Zavaritskite
(BiO)F
3.DC.25Zhangpeishanite
BaFCl
3.DC.30Nadorite
PbSbClO
 
2
3.DC.30Perite
PbBiClO
 
2
3.DC.35Aravaipaite
Pb
 
3
F
 
3
[AlF
 
6
] · H
 
2
O
3.DC.37Calcioaravaipaite
PbCa
 
2
(F,OH)
 
3
[AlF
 
6
] · H
 
2
O
3.DC.40Thorikosite
Pb
 
3
Cl
 
2
(OH)(SbO
 
3
,AsO
 
3
)
3.DC.45Mereheadite
Pb
 
47
Cl
 
25
(OH)
 
13
O
 
24
(CO
 
3
)(BO
 
3
)
 
2
3.DC.50Blixite
Pb
 
2
(O,OH)
 
2
Cl
3.DC.55Pinalite
Pb
 
3
WO
 
5
Cl
 
2
3.DC.60Symesite
Pb
 
10
Cl
 
4
O
 
7
(SO
 
4
) · H
 
2
O
3.DC.65Ecdemite
Pb
 
6
Cl
 
4
(As
 
2
O
 
7
)
3.DC.65Heliophyllite
Pb
 
6
Cl
 
4
(As
 
2
O
 
7
)
3.DC.70Mendipite
Pb
 
3
Cl
 
2
O
 
2
3.DC.75Damaraite
Pb
 
3
Cl(OH)O
 
2
3.DC.80Onoratoite
Sb
 
8
Cl
 
2
O
 
11
3.DC.85Cotunnite
PbCl
 
2
3.DC.90Pseudocotunnite
K
 
2
PbCl
 
4
3.DC.95Barstowite
Pb
 
4
Cl
 
6
(CO
 
3
) · H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
8.8.1Abhurite
Sn
 
21
Cl
 
16
(OH)
 
14
O
 
6
8.8.2Matlockite
PbFCl
8.8.3Laurelite
Pb
 
7
F
 
12
Cl
 
2
8.8.4Cotunnite
PbCl
 
2
8.8.5Mendipite
Pb
 
3
Cl
 
2
O
 
2
8.8.6Damaraite
Pb
 
3
Cl(OH)O
 
2
8.8.8Paralaurionite
PbCl(OH)
8.8.9Penfieldite
Pb
 
2
Cl
 
3
(OH)
8.8.10Fiedlerite
Pb
 
3
FCl
 
4
(OH) · H
 
2
O
8.8.11Blixite
Pb
 
2
(O,OH)
 
2
Cl
8.8.12Pseudocotunnite
K
 
2
PbCl
 
4
8.8.13Diaboleite
Pb
 
2
CuCl
 
2
(OH)
 
4
8.8.14Pseudoboleite
Pb
 
31
Cu
 
24
Cl
 
62
(OH)
 
48
8.8.15Chloroxiphite
Pb
 
3
CuO
 
2
Cl
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.8.17Bideauxite
Pb
 
2
AgCl
 
3
(F,OH)
 
2
8.8.18Boleite
KPb
 
26
Ag
 
9
Cu
 
24
(OH)
 
48
Cl
 
62
8.8.19Aravaipaite
Pb
 
3
F
 
3
[AlF
 
6
] · H
 
2
O
8.8.20Yedlinite
Pb
 
6
Cr
3+
 
Cl
 
6
(O,OH,H
 
2
O)
 
8
8.8.21Kolarite
PbTeCl
 
2
8.8.22Hematophanite
Pb
 
4
Fe
 
3
O
 
8
(OH,Cl)

Other Names for Laurionite

Synonyms:
Laurionite-2O
Other Languages:
German:Laurionit
Russian:Лаурионит
Spanish:Laurionita

Other Information

Other Information:Slightly soluble in cold water, more soluble in warm water. Soluble in nitric acid.
Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Laurionite

Reference List:

- +
Koechlin (1887) Annalen des kaiserlich-königlichen naturhistorischen Hofmuseums Wien: 2: 188.

vom Rath (1887) Berichte Niederrheinische Gesellschaft für Natur und Heilkunde, Bonn: 102: 149.

Koechlin (1889) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 17: 112.

Dana, E.S. (1892) System of Mineralogy, 6th. Edition, New York: 171.

Smith (1899) Mineralogical Magazine: 12: 106.

Ktenas (1910) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 33: 173.

Hintze, Carl (1889) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: 1 [2B]: 2632.

Goldschmidt, V. (1918) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 5: 124.

Palache, C. (1934) Mineralogical Magazine: 23: 573.

Goldsztaub (1937) Comptes rendu de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 208: 1234.

Brasseur (1940) Bulletin soc. roy. sc. Liége: 9: 166.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 62-64.

Cannillo E., Giuseppetti G., Tadini C. (1968) - Riesame della struttura della laurionite PbOHCl. Periodico di mineralogia – Roma, pp. 395-402.

Zeitschrift für Kristallographie (1975): 141: 246.

Merlino S., Pasero M., Perchiazzi N. (1993): Crystal structure of paralaurionite and its OD relationships with laurionite. Mineralogical Magazine 57, 323-328.

Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (1997) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume III. Halides, Hydroxides, Oxides. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 628pp.: 307.

Internet Links for Laurionite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Laurionite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Laurionite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Australia
     
    • New South Wales
      • Robinson Co.
        • Cobar
          • Booroondarra
    		Chapman, J. & Scott, K. (2005): Supergene minerals from the oxidised zone of the Elura (Endeavor) lead-zinc-silver deposit. Australian Journal of Mineralogy, 11, 83-90.
    • Tasmania
    		http://www.crocoite.com/locationbulletins/part1/zeolites.pdf
    Bottrill & Baker (in prep) Catalogue of minerals of Tasmania
    • Western Australia
      • Pilbara Region
        • Ashburton Shire
    		[MinRec 24:203]
    Min. Record 24,203-218(1993)
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Friesach - Hüttenberg area
        • Hüttenberg
          • Waitschach
    		U. Kolitsch and H. Pristacz (2009): An orthorhombic dimorph of barstowite, Pb4Cl6(CO3)•H2O, from slags at Maria Waitschach, Austria, and Lavrion, Greece. Poster, Joint MinPet 2009 and 4th MSCC, Budapest, Hungary, September 7-11; abstract in Mitt. Österr. Mineral. Ges. 155, 83.
    Canada
     
    • Québec
      • Estrie
        • Les Sources RCM
          • Asbestos
    		Horváth & Spertini (2008 & 2009)
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Central Bohemia Region
        • Příbram
    		[Der Aufschluss 1996:6 p.267-287]
    France
     
    • Brittany
      • Côtes-d'Armor
        • Callac
          • Carnoët
            • Menez-Plom
    		P. Le Roch collection
      • Finistère
        • Poullaouen
    		Germain C., Leydet J-C., Saget Ph. (1990), Les minéraux de néoformation de Huelgoat (Finistère), Le Cahier des Micromonteurs, n°3, 3-16
    • Rhône-Alpes
      • Loire
        • La Pacaudière
          • Le Crozet
    		No reference listed
    Germany
     
    • Hesse
      • Richelsdorf District
        • Süss
          • Richelsdorf Smelter
    		S. Weiß: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    • Lower Saxony
      • Harz Mts
        • Goslar
          • Astfeld
    		No reference listed
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Ruhr Coal Mining area
        • Essen
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", 1990
        • Recklinghausen
          • Marl-Hüls
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", 1990
    Greece
     
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
    		Gelaude, Piet, van Kalmthout, Piet and Rewitzer, Christian, Laurion: The Minerals in the Ancient Slags
          • Agios Nikolaos [St Nicholas] area
    		No reference listed
          • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium)
    		No reference listed
          • Oxygon area
    		No reference listed
          • Panormos area
    		No reference listed
          • Passa Limani area
    		Gelaude, Piet, van Kalmthout, Piet, and Rewitzer, Christian (1996) Laurion: The Minerals of the Ancient Slags, Janssen Print, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
          • Sounion area
    		Gelaude, Piet, van Kalmthout, Piet and Rewitzer, Christian, (1996) Laurion: The Minerals in the Ancient Slags, Janssen Print, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
          • Thorikos area
    		Gelaude, Piet, van Kalmthout, Piet and Rewitzer, Christian (1996) Laurion: The Minerals in the Ancient Slags, Janssen Print, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
          • Tourkolimanon area
    		No reference listed
          • Vrissaki area
    		Gelaude, Piet, van Kalmthout, Piet, and Rewitzer, Christian (1996) Laurion: The Minerals in the Ancient Slags, Janssen Print, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    Italy
     
    • Liguria
      • Genova Province
        • Genova
          • Varenna Valley
    		Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 2 (Avril/Juin), 175-188.
    • Tuscany
      • Livorno Province
        • Campiglia Marittima
    		http://www.comune.pisa.it/apsn/Articoli/Scorie/Capattoli.htm
          • Sassetta
    		Jansen, H. & van den Berg, W. (1998): Slakkenmineralen in Toscane (Italië). Gea, no. 4, 109-117 (in Dutch).
        • Piombino
    		Lapis, 20 (4), 13-18+50.
    South Africa
     
    • Gauteng Province
      • Argent
    		Minerals of South Africa
    Tunisia
     
    • Mahdia Governorate
      • Mahdia
    		Kutzke, H., Barbier, B., Becker, P. & Eggert, G. (1997): Barstowite as a corrosion product on a lead object from the Mahdia shipwreck. Studies in Conservation 42, 176-180.
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cornwall
        • Mount's Bay District
          • Porthleven
    		Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 241-242.
          • St Hilary
    		[UKJMM 20:7-37]
        • St Agnes District
          • Crantock
    		BMS Newsletter 79, March 2010 (http://britishmicromountsociety.homestead.com/Gannell-Smelter.html)
        • Wendron & Falmouth District
          • Carnmenellis area
            • Penpol
    		Pascal Chollet collection
      • Somerset
        • Cranmore
    		Turner, R.W. and Rumsey, M.S. (2010): Mineral Relationships in the Mendip Hills. Journal of the Russell Society, vol 13, pp 3-46.
        • Westbury on Trym
    		BMS Database
    • Wales
      • Ceredigion (Dyfed; Cardiganshire)
        • Ceulanymaesmawr
          • Talybont
            • Nant-y-Moch Reservoir area
    		UKJMM
    USA
     
    • New Mexico
      • Eddy Co.
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    Vietnam
    Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data (2011)
    Mineral and/or Locality
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