Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Messageboard The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Gallite

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Big Photo

Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region (Oshikoto), Namibia
© Maurice de Graaf

Show Gallite Photos (5)



Formula:
CuGaS
 
2
System:TetragonalColour:Grey
Hardness:3 - 3½
Member of:Chalcopyrite Group
Name:For the gallium content.


Chalcopyrite Group.

Classification of Gallite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/C.03-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.CB.10a

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
B : With Zn, Fe, Cu, Ag, etc.
Dana 8th edition ID:2.9.1.3

2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:3.5.18

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
5 : Sulphides etc. of Hg and Tl
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-1644.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Gallite

Co-type Localities:Kipushi Mine (Prince Léopold Mine), Kipushi, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region (Oshikoto), Namibia
General Appearance of Type Material:Massive, as included grains and exsolution lamellae in other sulfides.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Berlin Technical University, Berlin, Germany, 86/67, 87/564, 396.
Year of Discovery:1958

Occurrences of Gallite

Geological Setting:Base metal deposits with high gallium content.

Physical Properties of Gallite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Grey
Streak:Greyish black
Hardness (Mohs):3 - 3½
Density (measured):4.2 g/cm3
Density (calculated):4.35 g/cm3

Crystallography of Gallite

Crystal System:Tetragonal
Class (H-M):4 2m - Scalenohedral
Space Group:I4 2d
Cell Parameters:a = 5.360Å, c = 10.49Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.957
Unit Cell Volume:V 301.37 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Massive, inclusions, exsolved lamellae to 2mm.
Twinning:Parallel to {112}, {111}

Epitaxial Relationships of Gallite

Epitaxial Minerals:
Sphalerite
ZnS
Epitaxi Comments:Gallite exsolves as lamellae || {100} and {111} of sphalerite, and in turn shows exsolution of sphalerite on {001} of gallite.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
3.07 (100)
1.876 (90)
1.610 (90)
1.089 (90)
1.894 (60)
1.215 (60)
1.076 (60)

Optical Data of Gallite

Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:low
Reflectivity:
400nmR=20.7%
420nmR=19.9%
440nmR=19.4%
460nmR=18.8%
480nmR=18.5%
500nmR=18.1%
520nmR=17.9%
540nmR=17.7%
560nmR=17.5%
580nmR=17.4%
600nmR=17.2%
620nmR=17.1%
640nmR=17.0%
660nmR=16.9%
680nmR=16.8%
700nmR=16.6%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 20.7%.

Chemical Properties of Gallite

Formula:
CuGaS
 
2
Essential elements:Cu, Ga, S
All elements listed in formula:Cu, Ga, S
Common Impurities:Pb,Zn,Fe,Ge

Relationship of Gallite to other Species

Member of:Chalcopyrite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Chalcopyrite
CuFeS
 
2
Eskebornite
CuFeSe
 
2
Laforêtite
AgInS
 
2
Lenaite
AgFeS
 
2
Roquesite
CuInS
 
2
Common Associates:
SphaleriteRenieritePyriteGermaniteGalena
DigeniteChalcociteBornite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
2.CB.05aColoradoite
HgTe
2.CB.05aHawleyite
CdS
2.CB.05aMetacinnabar
HgS
2.CB.05cPolhemusite
(Zn,Hg)S
2.CB.05bSakuraiite
(Cu,Zn,Fe)
 
3
(In,Sn)S
 
4
2.CB.05aSphalerite
ZnS
2.CB.05aStilleite
ZnSe
2.CB.05aTiemannite
HgSe
2.CB.05UM1998-15-S:CuFeZn
Cu
 
2
Fe
 
3
Zn
 
5
S
 
10
2.CB.05aRudashevskyite
(Fe,Zn)S
2.CB.10aChalcopyrite
CuFeS
 
2
2.CB.10aEskebornite
CuFeSe
 
2
2.CB.10bHaycockite
Cu
 
4
Fe
 
5
S
 
8
2.CB.10aLenaite
AgFeS
 
2
2.CB.10bMooihoekite
Cu
 
9
Fe
 
9
S
 
16
2.CB.10bPutoranite
Cu
 
9
(Fe,Ni)
 
9
S
 
16
2.CB.10aRoquesite
CuInS
 
2
2.CB.10bTalnakhite
Cu
 
9
(Fe,Ni)
 
8
S
 
16
2.CB.10aLaforêtite
AgInS
 
2
2.CB.15aČernýite
Cu
 
2
(Cd,Zn,Fe)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15aFerrokesterite
Cu
 
2
(Fe,Zn)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15aHocartite
Ag
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15aIdaite
Cu
 
5
FeS
 
6
2.CB.15aKesterite
Cu
 
2
(Zn,Fe)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15aKuramite
Cu
 
3
SnS
 
4
2.CB.15bMohite
Cu
 
2
SnS
 
3
2.CB.15aPirquitasite
Ag
 
2
ZnSnS
 
4
2.CB.15aStannite
Cu
 
2
(Fe,Zn)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15cStannoidite
Cu
+
6
Cu
2+
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)
 
3
Sn
 
2
S
 
12
2.CB.15aVelikite
(Cu,Hg)
 
11
Sn
 
4
S
 
16
2.CB.15cUM2006-11-S:CuFeGeZn
Cu
 
8
(Fe,Zn)
 
3
Ge
 
2
S
 
12
 (?)
2.CB.20Chatkalite
Cu
 
6
FeSn
 
2
S
 
8
2.CB.20Mawsonite
Cu
 
6
Fe
 
2
SnS
 
8
2.CB.30Colusite
Cu
 
26
V
 
2
(As,Sn,Sb)
 
6
S
 
32
2.CB.30Germanite
Cu
 
13
Fe
 
2
Ge
 
2
S
 
16
2.CB.30Germanocolusite
Cu
 
26
V
 
2
(Ge,As)
 
6
S
 
32
2.CB.30Nekrasovite
Cu
 
26
V
 
2
(Sn,As,Sb)
 
6
S
 
32
2.CB.30Stibiocolusite
Cu
 
13
V
 
4
(Sb,Sn,As)
 
3
S
 
16
2.CB.30Ovamboite
Cu
 
20
(Fe,Cu,Zn)
 
6
W
 
2
Ge
 
6
S
 
32
2.CB.30Maikainite
Cu
 
20
(Fe,Cu)
 
6
Mo
 
2
Ge
 
6
S
 
32
2.CB.35aHemusite
Cu
 
6
SnMoS
 
8
2.CB.35aKiddcreekite
Cu
 
6
SnWS
 
8
2.CB.35aPolkovicite
(Fe,Pb)
 
3
(Ge,Fe)
 
1-x
S
 
4
2.CB.35aRenierite
(Cu,Zn)
 
11
(Ge,As)
 
2
Fe
 
4
S
 
16
2.CB.35aVinciennite
Cu
+
7
Cu
2+
3
Fe
2+
2
Fe
3+
2
Sn(As,Sb)S
 
16
2.CB.35aMorozeviczite
(Pb,Fe)
 
3
Ge
 
1-x
S
 
4
2.CB.35bCatamarcaite
Cu
 
6
GeWS
 
8
2.CB.40Lautite
CuAsS
2.CB.45Cadmoselite
CdSe
2.CB.45Greenockite
CdS
2.CB.45Wurtzite
(Zn,Fe)S
2.CB.45Rambergite
MnS
2.CB.45Buseckite
(Fe,Zn,Mn)S
2.CB.55aCubanite
CuFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.55bIsocubanite
CuFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.60Picotpaulite
TlFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.60Raguinite
TlFeS
 
2
2.CB.65Argentopyrite
AgFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.65Sternbergite
AgFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.70Sulvanite
Cu
 
3
VS
 
4
2.CB.75Vulcanite
CuTe
2.CB.80Empressite
AgTe
2.CB.85Muthmannite
AuAgTe
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
3.5.1Cinnabar
HgS
3.5.2Hypercinnabar
HgS
3.5.3Metacinnabar
HgS
3.5.4Imiterite
Ag
 
2
HgS
 
2
3.5.5Tiemannite
HgSe
3.5.6Balkanite
Cu
 
9
Ag
 
5
HgS
 
8
3.5.7Danielsite
(Cu,Ag)
 
14
HgS
 
8
3.5.8Coloradoite
HgTe
3.5.9Gortdrumite
(Cu,Fe)
 
6
Hg
 
2
S
 
5
3.5.10Polhemusite
(Zn,Hg)S
3.5.11Carlinite
Tl
 
2
S
3.5.12Crookesite
Cu
 
7
(Tl, Ag)Se
 
4
3.5.13Sabatierite
Cu
 
6
TlSe
 
4
3.5.14Picotpaulite
TlFe
 
2
S
 
3
3.5.15Raguinite
TlFeS
 
2
3.5.16Thalcusite
Tl
 
2
Cu
 
3
FeS
 
4
3.5.17Bukovite
Tl
 
2
(Cu,Fe)
 
4
Se
 
4
3.5.19Roquesite
CuInS
 
2
3.5.20Indite
FeIn
 
2
S
 
4

Other Names for Gallite

Other Languages:
German:Gallit
Russian:Галлит
Spanish:Gallita

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 Gallite

Reference List:

- +
Strunz, H., Geier, B.H., and Seeliger, E. (1958) Gallite, CuGaS2, das erste Selbst dige Galliummineral, und seine Verbreitung in den Erzen der Tsumeb- und Kipushi-Mine. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte: 241-264.

American Mineralogist (1959): 44: 906.

Internet Links for Gallite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Gallite on Google
  • Look for Gallite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Gallite on Webmineral
  • Look for Gallite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Gallite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Gallite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Gallite specimens
  • Buy RARE Minerals from Rocks of Africa
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Search for minerals at Heliodor
  • Fine and rare minerals from mintreasure.com
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Gallite

    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.
    Bulgaria
     
    • Pazardzhik Oblast (Pazardjik Oblast)
      • Panagyurishte (Panagurishte) Obshtina
        • Levski
    		Pavel Kartashov (Mindat message www.mindat.org/mesg-7-84159.html); Handbook of Mineralogy
    • Sofiya Oblast (Sofia Oblast)
      • Chelopech
    		American Mineralogist (1966): 51: 29-36
    Cuba
     
    Handbook of Mineralogy
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Kipushi
    		Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte (1958): 241-264.; Kamona, A.F., Lévêque, J., Friedrich, G., and Haack, U. (1999): Mineralium Deposita 34, 273-283.; Kampunzu, A.B., Cailteux, J.L.H., Kamona, A.F., Intiomale, M.M., and Melcher, F. (2009): Ore Geology Reviews 35, 263-297.
    Namibia
     
    • Otjikoto Region (Oshikoto)
      • Tsumeb
    		Strunz, H., Geier, B.H., and Seeliger, E. (1958) Gallite, CuGaS2, das erste selbständige Galliummineral, und seine Verbreitung in den Erzen der Tsumeb- und Kipushi-Mine. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie (1958), Monatshefte: 241-264.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
    Current server date and time: 16th May 2013 19:39:49
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds