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Laurionite

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 (27)
Formula:
PbClOH
System:OrthorhombicColour:Colourless, white
Hardness:3 - 3½
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)

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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:
PbClOH
Essential elements:Cl, H, O, Pb
All elements listed in formula:Cl, H, O, Pb

Relationship of Laurionite to other Species

Member of Group:
Matlockite Group:
MXY
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
3.DC.05Paralaurionite
PbClOH
3.DC.10Fiedlerite
Pb
 
3
Cl
 
4
F(OH)·H
 
2
O
3.DC.15Penfieldite
Pb
 
2
[OH|Cl
 
3
]
3.DC.20Laurelite
Pb(F,Cl,OH)
 
2
3.DC.25Bismoclite
BiOCl
3.DC.25Daubréeite
BiO(OH,Cl)
3.DC.25Matlockite
PbFCl
3.DC.25Rorisite
CaFCl
3.DC.25Zavaritskite
BiOF
3.DC.25Zhangpeishanite
BaFCl
3.DC.30Nadorite
PbSb[O
 
2
|Cl]
3.DC.30Perite
PbBi[O
 
2
|Cl]
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
[OH|(SbO
 
3
,AsO
 
3
)|Cl
 
2
]
3.DC.45Mereheadite
Pb
 
47
O
 
24
(OH)
 
13
Cl
 
25
(BO
 
3
)
 
2
(CO3)
3.DC.50Blixite
Pb
 
2
[(O,OH)
 
2
|Cl]
3.DC.55Pinalite
Pb
 
3
WO
 
5
Cl
 
2
3.DC.60Symesite
Pb
 
10
[O
 
7
|SO
 
4
|Cl
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
3.DC.65Ecdemite
Pb
 
6
[As
 
2
O
 
7
|Cl
 
4
]
3.DC.65Heliophyllite
Pb
 
3
AsO
 
4-n
Cl
 
2n+1
3.DC.70Mendipite
Pb
 
3
[O
 
2
|Cl
 
2
]
3.DC.75Damaraite
Pb
 
3
[O
 
2
|OH|Cl]
3.DC.80Onoratoite
Sb
 
8
O
 
11
Cl
 
2
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(F,Cl,OH)
 
2
8.8.4Cotunnite
PbCl
 
2
8.8.5Mendipite
Pb
 
3
[O
 
2
|Cl
 
2
]
8.8.6Damaraite
Pb
 
3
[O
 
2
|OH|Cl]
8.8.8Paralaurionite
PbClOH
8.8.9Penfieldite
Pb
 
2
[OH|Cl
 
3
]
8.8.10Fiedlerite
Pb
 
3
Cl
 
4
F(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
Ag[(F,OH)
 
2
|Cl
 
3
]
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
(Cl,OH)
 
6
Cr
3+
 
(OH,O)
 
8
8.8.21Kolarite
PbTeCl
 
2
8.8.22Hematophanite
Pb
 
4
Fe
 
3
O
 
8
(OH,Cl)

Other Names for Laurionite

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.

Mineralogical Magazine (1993): 57: 323.

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

    Hide Locality List
    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.
    (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
    		No reference listed
    Germany
     
    • Hesse
      • North 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
        • 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
    		No reference listed
          • St Hilary
    		[UKJMM 20:7-37]
        • St Agnes District
          • Newquay - Perranporth Area
            • Newquay
    		No reference listed
        • Wendron & Falmouth District
          • Carnmenellis area
            • Penpol
    		Pascal Chollet collection
      • Somerset
        • 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.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the 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 hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 1st Nov 2009 01:03:07