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Eglestonite

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Landsberg (Moschellandsberg), Alsenz-Obermoschel, Palatinate, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
© Thomas Witzke

Show Eglestonite Photos (9)



Formula:
(Hg
+
2
)
 
3
Cl
 
3
O(OH)
System:IsometricColour:Yellow, orange-yellow, ...
Lustre:Adamantine, ResinousHardness:2½
Name:
After Thomas E. Egleston [December 9, 1832 New York, New York, USA - January 15, 1900 New York, New York, USA]. Co-founder of the Columbia School of Mines. Professor of Mineralogy and Metallurgy, Columbia University, New York.


Eglestonite-Kadyrelite Series

Eglestonite is an alteration product of other mercury minerals (native Mercury, Cinnabar, etc.)

Not to be confused with the silicate eggletonite.

Classification of Eglestonite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:3/D.06-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:3.DD.05

3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
D : With Hg
Dana 8th edition ID:10.5.4.1

10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
5 : Am(O,OH)pXq
Hey's CIM Ref.:8.5.6

8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
5 : Halides of Zn and Hg
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Type Occurrence of Eglestonite

Type Locality:Terlingua District, Brewster Co., Texas, USA
Year of Discovery:1903
Associated Minerals at type locality:
TerlinguaiteMontroyditeMercuryCalomelCalcite

Physical Properties of Eglestonite

Lustre:Adamantine, Resinous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Yellow, orange-yellow, brown; turns dark brownish, then black, on exposure to light; yellow-brown to brown (transmitted light)
Streak:Yellow to greenish-yellow
Hardness (Mohs):2½
Tenacity:Brittle
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density (measured):8.33 - 8.45 g/cm3
Density (calculated):8.61 g/cm3

Crystallography of Eglestonite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:Ia3d {I41/a 3 2/d}
Cell Parameters:a = 16.03Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 4,119.08 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Dodecahedral, with striations parallel to the edges, and elongated on [001] at times, into almost hair-like forms. Octahedral and cubic forms less common. Massive; as crusts.

Optical Data of Eglestonite

Type:Isotropic
Comments:Exhibits weak anomalous birefringence at times.

Blackened immediately by hydrogen sulfide or ammonia. Decomposed by acids with separation of Calomel.

Chemical Properties of Eglestonite

Formula:
(Hg
+
2
)
 
3
Cl
 
3
O(OH)
Essential elements:Cl, H, Hg, O
All elements listed in formula:Cl, H, Hg, O

Relationship of Eglestonite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Kadyrelite (see here)
Common Associates:
MercuryCinnabarCalomel
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
3.DD.05Kadyrelite
(Hg
+
2
)
 
2
(Br,Cl)
 
2
O
3.DD.10Poyarkovite
(Hg
+
2
)
 
1.5
ClO
3.DD.15Hanawaltite
(Hg
+
2
)
 
3
Hg
2+
 
(Cl,OH)
 
2
O
 
3
3.DD.20Terlinguaite
(Hg
+
2
)
 
0.5
Hg
2+
 
ClO
3.DD.25Pinchite
Hg
2+
5
Cl
 
2
O
 
4
3.DD.30Gianellaite
(Hg
 
2
N)
 
2
SO
 
4
3.DD.30Mosesite
(Hg
 
2
N)(Cl,SO
 
4
,MoO
 
4
) · H
 
2
O
3.DD.35Kleinite
(Hg
 
2
N)(Cl,SO
 
4
) · nH
 
2
O
3.DD.40Tedhadleyite
(Hg
+
2
)
 
5
Hg
2+
 
I
 
2
(Cl,Br)
 
2
O
 
4
3.DD.45Vasilyevite
(Hg
+
2
)
 
10
I
 
3
Br
 
2
Cl(CO
 
3
)O
 
6
3.DD.50Aurivilliusite
(Hg
+
2
)
 
0.5
Hg
2+
 
(I,Br,Cl)O
3.DD.55Terlinguacreekite
Hg
2+
3
Cl
 
2
O
 
2
3.DD.60Kelyanite
(Hg
+
2
)
 
6
Sb
3+
 
BrCl
 
2
O
 
6
3.DD.65Comancheite
Hg
2+
13
(Cl,Br)
 
8
O
 
9
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
8.5.1Simonkolleite
Zn
 
5
Cl
 
2
(OH)
 
8
 · H
 
2
O
8.5.2Calomel
(Hg
+
2
)Cl
 
2
8.5.3Terlinguaite
(Hg
+
2
)
 
0.5
Hg
2+
 
ClO
8.5.4Poyarkovite
(Hg
+
2
)
 
1.5
ClO
8.5.5Pinchite
Hg
2+
5
Cl
 
2
O
 
4
8.5.7Kadyrelite
(Hg
+
2
)
 
2
(Br,Cl)
 
2
O
8.5.8Comancheite
Hg
2+
13
(Cl,Br)
 
8
O
 
9
8.5.9Kuzminite
(Hg
+
2
)(Br,Cl)
 
2
8.5.10Moschelite
(Hg
+
2
)I
 
2
8.5.11Tocornalite
(Ag,Hg)I

Other Names for Eglestonite

Other Languages:
German:Eglestonit
Russian:Эглестонит
Simplified Chinese:氯汞矿
Spanish:Eglestonita

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 Eglestonite

Reference List:

- +
Moses (1903) American Journal of Science: 16: 253.

Hillebrand and Schaller (1909) USGS Bulletin 405: 143.

Rogers (1911) American Journal of Science: 32: 48.

Bird (1932) American Mineralogist: 17: 541.

Hedlik (1948) Experientia, Basel: 4: 66.

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: 51-52.

American Mineralogist (1977): 62: 396.

Mereiter, K., J. Zeeman, and A.W. Hewat (1992) Eglestonite, [Hg2]3Cl3O2H: confirmation of the chemical formula by neutron powder diffraction. American Mineralogist: 77: 839–842.

Internet Links for Eglestonite

Search Engines:
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    • External Links:
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  • Look for Eglestonite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Eglestonite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Eglestonite

    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
     
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Palatinate
        • Alsenz-Obermoschel
    		Lapis 2001(6), 13-40
    Stephan Wolfsried collection
    Dreyer, G. (1975): Neue Mineralien in der Rheinpfalz II, Mitteilungen der Pollichia, 63, 5-9.
    Hartmut Hensel Collection, Neustadt/Wstr.
        • Kirchheimbolanden
          • Mörsfeld
    		Lapis 2001(6), 40
        • Rockenhausen
          • Stahlberg
    		Lapis 2001(6), 13-40
    Kyrgyzstan
     
    • Osh Oblast
      • Alai Range (Alay Range)
    		[Lapis 1993(11), 11-24]
        • Fergana Valley
    		[Lapis 11:11-24]; Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Mexico
     
    • Guerrero
      • Mun. de Taxco
        • Hauhauxtla
    		Panczner (1987): 135-372.
    • San Luis Potosí
      • Mun. de Moctezuma
        • Moctezuma
          • Hacienda de Santa Antonio de Rul
    		Panczner(1987):135,164,185 & 372.; Percy Babb (1909) Dulces Nombres Quicksilver Deposit, Mexico. Engineering & Mining Journal 684-686.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Buriatia (Buryatia) Republic
          • Baunt District
            • North-Muya Range
              • Middle Kelyana River
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
      • Tuva Republic
        • Pii-Khem District
          • Uyuk Range
    		Canadian Mineralogist Feb. 1999; Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
            • Oorash-Khem River Valley
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    South Africa
     
    • Limpopo Province
      • Murchison Range
        • Gravelotte
          • Monarch Cinnabar mine
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 52; Minerals of South Africa
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Gila Co.
        • Mazatzal Mts
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 153, 211.
    • Arkansas
      • Pike Co.
    		Roberts, A.C. et al (2003), The Canadian Mineralogist: 41(3): 721-725.
    • California
      • Kings Co.
        • Parkfield District
          • The Dark Hole Valley
    		Bailey, Edgar H. (1942), Quicksilver deposits of the Parkfield district, California: USGS Bulletin 936-F: 159; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 115, 197.
      • San Benito Co.
        • Diablo Range
          • New Idria District
            • Picacho Peak
    		Dunning, Hadley, Cooper, Magnasco collections; Mineralogical Record (1993): 24: 471-475.
      • San Mateo Co.
        • Emerald Lake Hills
    		Rogers, Austin Flint (1911a), Eglestonite from San Mateo County, California: American Journal of Science, 4th. Series: 32: 48-50; Woodhouse, C.D. (1934), A new occurrence of montroydite in California: American Mineralogist: 19: 603-604; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 197.
          • Upper Emerald Lake
    		Davis, Fenelon Francis (1955), Mines and mineral resources of San Mateo County, California: California Journal of Mines and Geology: 51(4): 414-415; Holmes, Jr., G.W. (1965), Mercury in California: in: U.S. Bureau of Mines Information Circular 8252: 127; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 121-122.
        • Palo Alto area
    		No reference listed
    Rogers, Austin Flint (1911a), Eglestonite from San Mateo County, California: American Journal of Science, 4th. Series: 32: 48-50; Bradley, W.W. (1918), Quicksilver resources of California, with a section on metallurgy and ore dressing: California Mining Bureau. Bulletin 78: 149; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 173-174.
        • Redwood City
    		Woodhouse, C.D. (1934), A new occurrence of montroydite in California: American Mineralogist: 19: 603-604; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 119, 174, 273.
        • Searsville
    		Rogers, Austin Flint (1911a), Eglestonite from San Mateo County, California: American Journal of Science, 4th. Series: 32: 48-50; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 119.
      • Sonoma Co.
        • Mayacmas Mts (Mayacamas Mts)
          • West Mayacmas District
            • Castle Rock Springs area
    		Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 197; Cooper, Fen (2002) Mineral News: 18(10): 1-8.
    • Nevada
      • Humboldt Co.
        • Opalite District
    		Rocks & Minerals, Nov. 1999; McCormack, J.K. (2000): Mineralium Deposita 35(8), 796-798.
        • Poverty Peak District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Lander Co.
        • Warm Springs District
    		NBMG Bull 80 Geology and Mineral Deposits of Lander County, Nevada
    • Texas
      • Brewster Co.
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 52.
    Rocks & Minerals: 66(3): 196-224.
    Rocks & Minerals: 66(1): 202.
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