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Symesite

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Torr Works Quarry (Merehead Quarry), Cranmore, Somerset, England, UK
© Rick Turner, 2006




Formula:
Pb
 
10
(SO
 
4
)O
 
7
Cl
 
4
 · H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:Pink
Lustre:Adamantine, VitreousHardness:4
Name:
Named for Robert Symes (b. 1937) of the Department of Mineralogy, The Natural History Museum, London, England


Nadorite Group.
Related to mereheadite.

Krivovichev et al. (2009) mention a possible carbonate analogue of symesite.

Classification of Symesite

IMA status:Approved 1998
Strunz 8th edition ID:3/D.10-140
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:3.DC.60

3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
C : With Pb (As,Sb,Bi), without Cu
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Type Occurrence of Symesite

Type Locality:Torr Works Quarry (Merehead Quarry), Cranmore, Somerset, England, UK
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Natural History Museum, London (Specimen # BM1998,37).
Year of Discovery:1998
Geological Setting of type material:oxidised zone of Mn-Pb-Cu deposit

Physical Properties of Symesite

Lustre:Adamantine, Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Comment:"adamantine" added, since Welch et al. (2000) indicate R.I. > 2
Colour:Pink
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):4
Cleavage:Perfect
Density (measured):7.3(2) g/cm3
Density (calculated):7.23 g/cm3

Crystallography of Symesite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Class (H-M):1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:P1
Cell Parameters:a = 8.821(6) Å, b = 10.776(6) Å, c = 13.134(7) Å
α = 68.96(4)°, β = 86.52(5)°, γ = 75.65(4)°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.819 : 1 : 1.219
Unit Cell Volume:V 1128.4 ų
Z:2
Morphology:Aggregates of blocky crystals.
Comment:Welch et al. (2000) use non-standard setting: space group B-1, with a = 19.727(2), b = 8.796(1), c = 13.631(2) Å, alpha = 82.21(1), beta = 78.08(1), gamma = 100.04(1)°, V = 2242.4(5) Å3, Z = 4. P > B transformation matrix is [0-1-1|100|01-1]
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
2.911 (100)
3.286 (90)
2.955 (90)
2.793 (80)
6.573 (40)
3.768 (40)
(

Optical Data of Symesite

Type:Biaxial
RI values: nα = 2.120 nγ = 2.160
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.040

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:weak anisotropy in crossed polars
Dispersion:r < v
Reflectivity:
400nmR1=17.20%R2= 17.95%imR1= 5.07%imR2= 5.65%
420nmR1=16.50%R2= 17.40%imR1= 4.69%imR2= 5.28%
440nmR1=15.90%R2= 16.90%imR1= 4.40%imR2= 4.99%
460nmR1=15.50%R2= 16.50%imR1= 4.17%imR2= 4.77%
470nmR1=15.20%R2= 16.30%imR1= 4.07%imR2= 4.67%
480nmR1=15.10%R2= 16.10%imR1= 3.98%imR2= 4.58%
500nmR1=14.90%R2= 15.80%imR1= 3.83%imR2= 4.43%
520nmR1=14.50%R2= 15.50%imR1= 3.70%imR2= 4.30%
540nmR1=14.30%R2= 15.30%imR1= 3.61%imR2= 4.19%
546nmR1=14.20%R2= 15.30%imR1= 3.59%imR2= 4.17%
560nmR1=14.10%R2= 15.20%imR1= 3.53%imR2= 4.11%
580nmR1=14.00%R2= 15.00%imR1= 3.47%imR2= 4.05%
589nmR1=13.90%R2= 15.00%imR1= 3.44%imR2= 4.02%
600nmR1=13.90%R2= 14.90%imR1= 3.43%imR2= 3.99%
620nmR1=13.80%R2= 14.80%imR1= 3.39%imR2= 3.96%
640nmR1=13.80%R2= 14.80%imR1= 3.37%imR2= 3.93%
660nmR1=13.70%R2= 14.70%imR1= 3.34%imR2= 3.90%
680nmR1=13.60%R2= 14.65%imR1= 3.32%imR2= 3.88%
700nmR1=13.60%R2= 14.60%imR1= 3.30%imR2= 3.86%
nmR1=%R2=%imR1=%imR2=%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 17.95%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red, imR1 shown in green, imR2 shown in blue
Colour in reflected light:grey

Chemical Properties of Symesite

Formula:
Pb
 
10
(SO
 
4
)O
 
7
Cl
 
4
 · H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Cl, H, O, Pb, S
All elements listed in formula:Cl, H, O, Pb, S
Analytical Data:Ideal composition from structural formula of Welch et al. (2000). Experimental analyses show no other major/minor components.
PbO (91.48)
SO3 (3.28)
Cl (5.81)
H2O (0.74)
O=Cl (-1.31)

Relationship of Symesite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
3.DC.05Laurionite
PbCl(OH)
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.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

Other Names for Symesite

Other Languages:
German:Symesit
Russian:Симесит
Spanish:Symesita

Other Information

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 Symesite

Reference List:

- +
Welch, M.D. et al. (2000): Symesite, Pb10 (SO4) O7 Cl4 (H2O), a new PbO-related sheet mineral: Description and crystal structure. American Mineralogist 85, 1526-1533.

Krivovichev, S.V., Turner, R., Rumsey, M., Siidra, O.I., Kirk. C.A. (2009): The crystal structure and chemistry of mereheadite. Mineralogical Magazine, 73, 103-117.

Internet Links for Symesite

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  • Symesite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Symesite

    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.
    Germany
     
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Sauerland
        • Brilon
    		Lapis 25(12), 47 (2000)
    UK
     
    • England
      • Somerset
        • Cranmore
    		Amer.Min.(2000) 85, 1526-1533; Turner, R.W. and Rumsey, M.S. (2010): Mineral Relationships in the Mendip Hills. Journal of the Russell Society, vol 13, pp 3-46; Turner, R.W., (2006) A Mechanism for the formation of the Mineralised Mn Deposits at Merehead Quarry, Cranmore, Somerset, England. Min. Mag. vol. 70, no. 6, pp 629 - 653
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