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Schirmerite

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Big Photo

Geneva District, Park Co., Colorado, USA
© 2008, JGW

Show Schirmerite Photos (3)



Formula:
PbAgBi
 
3
S
 
6
 - Pb
 
3
Ag
 
1.5
Bi
 
3.5
S
 
9
Formula originally suggested to be AgPb2Bi3S7 by Karup-Møller (1973).
System:OrthorhombicColour:Lead- to iron-gray
Hardness:2
Name:Named after Jacob Frederick L. Schirmer, Superintendent of the US Mint at Denver, Colorado. (See http://www.mindat.org/mesg-6-153088.html for discussion on origin of name).


Makovicky and Karup-Møller (1977) redefine schirmerite from the type locality ("Type 2") as a disordered monoclinic phase with a composition intermediate between PbAgBi3S6 and Pb3Ag1.5Bi3.5S9. According to Moëlo et al. (2008) the composition is between those of gustavite and (Ag,Bi)-rich heyrovskýite; they state that such a disordered intergrowth is not a valid species.

Moëlo et al. (2008) discuss whether schirmerite "Type 1" (as defined by Bortnikov et al. 1987)) is equivalent to schapbachite or corresponds to an ordered dimorph.

Classification of Schirmerite

IMA status:Discredited 2008
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/E.31-70
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.JB.40d

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
J : Sulfosalts of PbS archetype
B : Galena derivatives, with Pb
Dana 8th edition ID:3.5.5.1

3 : SULFOSALTS
5 : 2.5 < ø < 3
Hey's CIM Ref.:5.7.34

5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
7 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Pb and other metals
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Type Occurrence of Schirmerite

Type Locality:Treasury Vault Mine, Geneva District, Park Co., Colorado, USA
Year of Discovery:1874

Physical Properties of Schirmerite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Lead- to iron-gray
Hardness (Mohs):2
Tenacity:Brittle

Crystallography of Schirmerite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 13.44Å, b = 44.38Å, c = 4.02Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.303 : 1 : 0.091
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,397.80 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Schirmerite

Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:Weak
Colour in reflected light:White

Chemical Properties of Schirmerite

Formula:
PbAgBi
 
3
S
 
6
 - Pb
 
3
Ag
 
1.5
Bi
 
3.5
S
 
9


Formula originally suggested to be AgPb2Bi3S7 by Karup-Møller (1973).
Essential elements:Ag, Bi, Pb, S
All elements listed in formula:Ag, Bi, Pb, S
Common Impurities:Cu

Relationship of Schirmerite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
2.JB.05Diaphorite
Ag
 
3
Pb
 
2
Sb
 
3
S
 
8
2.JB.10Cosalite
Pb
 
2
Bi
 
2
S
 
5
2.JB.15Freieslebenite
AgPbSbS
 
3
2.JB.15Marrite
AgPbAsS
 
3
2.JB.20Cannizzarite
Pb
 
4
Bi
 
6
S
 
13
2.JB.20Wittite
Pb
 
9
Bi
 
12
(S,Se)
 
27
2.JB.25aJunoite
Cu
 
2
Pb
 
3
Bi
 
8
(S,Se)
 
16
2.JB.25iNeyite
Ag
 
2
Cu
 
6
Pb
 
25
Bi
 
26
S
 
68
2.JB.25cNordströmite
CuPb
 
3
Bi
 
7
(Se
 
4
S
 
10
)
2.JB.25gNuffieldite
Pb
 
2
Cu(Pb,Bi)Bi
 
2
S
 
7
2.JB.25dProudite
CuPb
 
7.5
Bi
 
9.33
(S,Se)
 
22
2.JB.25hWeibullite
Pb
 
5
Bi
 
8
Se
 
7
S
 
11
2.JB.25bFelbertalite
Cu
 
2
Pb
 
6
Bi
 
8
S
 
19
2.JB.25jRouxelite
Cu
 
2
HgPb
 
23
Sb
 
27
S
 
65.5
2.JB.25fÁngelaite
Cu
 
2
AgPbBiS
 
4
2.JB.25iCuproneyite
Cu
 
7
Pb
 
27
Bi
 
25
S
 
68
2.JB.30aGeocronite
Pb
 
14
(Sb,As)
 
6
S
 
23
2.JB.30aJordanite
Pb
 
14
(As,Sb)
 
6
S
 
23
2.JB.30bKirkiite
Pb
 
10
Bi
 
3
As
 
3
S
 
19
2.JB.30cTsugaruite
Pb
 
4
As
 
2
S
 
7
2.JB.35cPillaite
Pb
 
9
Sb
 
10
S
 
23
ClO
 
0.5
2.JB.35aZinkenite
Pb
 
9
Sb
 
22
S
 
42
2.JB.35bScainiite
Pb
 
14
Sb
 
30
S
 
54
O
 
5
2.JB.35dPellouxite
(Cu,Ag)Pb
 
10
Sb
 
12
S
 
27
O(Cl,S)
 
0.6
2.JB.35eChovanite
Pb
 
15-2x
Sb
 
14+2x
S
 
36
O
 
x
 (x ~ 0.2)
2.JB.40bAschamalmite
Pb
 
6
Bi
 
2
S
 
9
2.JB.40aBursaite
Pb
 
5
Bi
 
4
S
 
11
2.JB.40bEskimoite
Ag
 
7
Pb
 
10
Bi
 
15
S
 
36
2.JB.40aFizélyite
Ag
 
5
Pb
 
14
Sb
 
21
S
 
48
2.JB.40aGustavite
Ag
 
3
Pb
 
5
Bi
 
11
S
 
24
2.JB.40aLillianite
Pb
 
3-2x
Ag
 
x
Bi
 
2+x
S
 
6
2.JB.40cOurayite
Ag
 
3
Pb
 
4
Bi
 
5
S
 
13
2.JB.40aRamdohrite
(Cd,Mn,Fe)Ag
 
5.5
Pb
 
12
Sb
 
21.5
S
 
48
2.JB.40aRoshchinite
Ag
 
19
Pb
 
10
Sb
 
51
S
 
96
2.JB.40aTreasurite
Ag
 
7
Pb
 
6
Bi
 
15
S
 
32
2.JB.40aUchucchacuaite
AgMnPb
 
3
Sb
 
5
S
 
12
2.JB.40eUstarasite
Pb(Bi,Sb)
 
6
S
 
10
 (?)
2.JB.40aVikingite
Ag
 
5
Pb
 
8
Bi
 
13
S
 
30
2.JB.40aXilingolite
Pb
 
3
Bi
 
2
S
 
6
2.JB.40bHeyrovskýite
Pb
 
10
AgBi
 
5
S
 
18
2.JB.40UM1988-05-S:AgBiCuHgPb
(Hg,Ag,Cu,Pb)
 
5
Pb
 
5
Bi
 
11
S
 
27
2.JB.40UM1988-06-S:AgBiCuHgPb
(Pb,Hg)
 
12
(Cu,Ag)
 
3
(Bi,Sb)
 
10
(S,Te)
 
27
2.JB.40aAndorite IV
Pb
 
18
Ag
 
15
Sb
 
47
S
 
96
2.JB.55Gratonite
Pb
 
9
As
 
4
S
 
15
2.JB.60Marrucciite
Hg
 
3
Pb
 
16
Sb
 
18
S
 
46
2.JB.65Vurroite
Pb
 
20
Sn
 
2
(Bi,As)
 
22
S
 
54
Cl
 
6
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
5.7.1Seligmannite
PbCuAsS
 
3
5.7.2Bournonite
PbCuSbS
 
3
5.7.3Meneghinite
Pb
 
13
CuSb
 
7
S
 
24
5.7.4Gladite
PbCuBi
 
5
S
 
9
5.7.5Lindströmite
Pb
 
3
Cu
 
3
Bi
 
7
S
 
15
5.7.6Krupkaite
PbCuBi
 
3
S
 
6
5.7.7Hammarite
Pb
 
2
Cu
 
2
Bi
 
4
S
 
9
5.7.8Friedrichite
Pb
 
5
Cu
 
5
Bi
 
7
S
 
18
5.7.9Aikinite
PbCuBiS
 
3
5.7.10Nuffieldite
Pb
 
2
Cu(Pb,Bi)Bi
 
2
S
 
7
5.7.11Jaskólskiite
Pb
 
2+x
Cu
 
x
(Sb,Bi)
 
2-x
S
 
6
 (x = 0.2)
5.7.12Tintinaite
Pb
 
22
Cu
 
4
(Sb,Bi)
 
30
S
 
69
5.7.13Kobellite
Pb
 
22
Cu
 
4
(Bi,Sb)
 
30
S
 
69
5.7.14Proudite
CuPb
 
7.5
Bi
 
9.33
(S,Se)
 
22
5.7.15Nordströmite
CuPb
 
3
Bi
 
7
(Se
 
4
S
 
10
)
5.7.16Watkinsonite
Cu
 
2
PbBi
 
4
(Se,S,Te)
 
8
5.7.17Pekoite
PbCuBi
 
11
(S,Se)
 
18
5.7.18Petrovicite
Cu
 
3
HgPbBiSe
 
5
5.7.19Eclarite
(Cu,Fe)Pb
 
9
Bi
 
12
S
 
28
5.7.20Marrite
AgPbAsS
 
3
5.7.21Baumhauerite-2a
Pb
 
11
Ag(As,Sb)
 
18
S
 
36
5.7.22Andorite
PbAgSb
 
3
S
 
6
5.7.23Ramdohrite
(Cd,Mn,Fe)Ag
 
5.5
Pb
 
12
Sb
 
21.5
S
 
48
5.7.24Roshchinite
Ag
 
19
Pb
 
10
Sb
 
51
S
 
96
5.7.25Ourayite
Ag
 
3
Pb
 
4
Bi
 
5
S
 
13
5.7.26Eskimoite
Ag
 
7
Pb
 
10
Bi
 
15
S
 
36
5.7.27Fizélyite
Ag
 
5
Pb
 
14
Sb
 
21
S
 
48
5.7.28Owyheeite
Ag
 
3+x
Pb
 
10-2x
Sb
 
11+x
S
 
28
, -0.13 < x > +0.20
5.7.29Freieslebenite
AgPbSbS
 
3
5.7.30Diaphorite
Ag
 
3
Pb
 
2
Sb
 
3
S
 
8
5.7.31Sterryite
Ag
 
2
Pb
 
10
(Sb,As)
 
12
S
 
29
5.7.32Vikingite
Ag
 
5
Pb
 
8
Bi
 
13
S
 
30
5.7.33Zoubekite
AgPb
 
4
Sb
 
4
S
 
10
5.7.36Gustavite
Ag
 
3
Pb
 
5
Bi
 
11
S
 
24
5.7.37Kitaibelite
Ag
 
10
PbBi
 
30
S
 
51
5.7.38Treasurite
Ag
 
7
Pb
 
6
Bi
 
15
S
 
32
5.7.39Benjaminite
(Ag,Cu)
 
3
(Bi,Pb)
 
7
S
 
12
5.7.40Lengenbachite
(Ag,Cu)
 
2
Pb
 
6
As
 
4
S
 
13
5.7.41Berryite
Cu
 
3
Ag
 
2
Pb
 
3
Bi
 
7
S
 
16
5.7.42Neyite
Ag
 
2
Cu
 
6
Pb
 
25
Bi
 
26
S
 
68
5.7.43Larosite
(Cu,Ag)
 
21
(Pb,Bi)
 
2
S
 
13
5.7.44Cupropavonite
AgCu
 
2
PbBi
 
5
S
 
10
5.7.45Padĕraite
Cu
 
5.9
Ag
 
1.3
Pb
 
1.6
Bi
 
11.2
S
 
22
5.7.46Rayite
Pb
 
8
(Ag,Tl)
 
2
Sb
 
8
S
 
21
5.7.47Rathite
Pb
 
8
Pb
 
4-x
(Tl
 
2
As
 
2
)
 
x
(Ag
 
2
As
 
2
)As
 
16
S
 
40
5.7.48Hatchite
AgTlPbAs
 
2
S
 
5

Other Names for Schirmerite

Synonyms:
Schirmerite (of Genth)
Other Languages:
German:Schirmerit
Simplified Chinese:块辉铋铅银矿
含硫铋铅银矿
Spanish:Schirmerita

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 Schirmerite

Reference List:

- +
Endlich (1874), Engineering and Mining Journal, Aug. 29.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 424.

Karup-Møller, S. (1973): New data on schirmerite. Can. Mineral., 11, 952-957.

American Mineralogist (1974): 59: 384.

Makovicky, E. and Karup-Møller, S. (1977) Chemistry and crystallography of the lillianite homologous series. II. Definition of new minerals eskimoite, vikingite, ourayite and treasurite. Redefinition of schirmerite and new data on the lillianite-gustavite solid-solution series. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Abhandlungen: 131: 56-82.

American Mineralogist (1979): 64: 243-244.

Internet Links for Schirmerite

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    • Localities for Schirmerite

    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.
    Argentina
     
    • Salta
      • Organullo Mining District
    		DE BRODTKORB, Milka K. Precious metaltellurides and other Te-bearing minerals in different paragenesis of Argentina: A review. Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent. [online]. 2009, vol.64, n.3, pp. 365-372.
    Bulgaria
     
    • Pazardzhik Oblast (Pazardjik Oblast)
      • Panagyurishte (Panagurishte) Obshtina
        • Levski
    		Tsonev, D., Popov, K., Kanazirski, M., Strashimirov, S. 2000. Radka ore field. In: Strashimirov, S., Popov, P. (Eds.), Geology and Metallogeny of the Panagyurishte Ore Region (Srednogorie Zone, Bulgaria). ABCD-GEODE 2000 Workshop, Guide to excursions (A and C), 32-39.
    • Sofiya Oblast (Sofia Oblast)
      • Chelopech
    		American Mineralogist (1966): 51: 29-36
    Canada
     
    • Northwest Territories
      • Mackenzie District
        • Great Bear Lake
    		Rod Tyson, The Port Radium District, Northwest Territories, Canada Mineralogical Record (1989) vol.20. #3, pp 201-208 .
    B. J. Kieller (1965) Mineralogy of the No. 2 Zone Eldorado Mine, Port Radium Northwest Territories. Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology 13:452
    China
     
    • Guangdong Province
      • Shaoguan Prefecture
        • Shixing Co.
          • Shirenzhang-Meiziwo W-Sn deposit
    		Wenfeng Zhu, Guogao Yang, Longming Wei, Shaoqin Zhang, Debin Zhou, Guangyun Liu, and Fulin Gong (2009): Journal of Guilin University of Technology 29(3), 285-291
    • Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
      • Hechi Prefecture
        • Nandan Co.
          • Dachang Sn-polymetallic ore field
    		Yingchen Ren (1999): Contributions to Geology and Mineral Resources Research 14(1), 1-12, 38
      • Hezhou Prefecture
        • Zhongshan Co.
          • Shanhu W-Sn ore field (Shanhu Mine)
    		Hongyuan Xia, Shuyi Liang, and Qianming Zhang (1991): Mineralogy and Petrology 11(1), 59-72; Qian Wang, Xuexiang Gu, Juxin Tang, Hongyuan Xia, and Shuyi Liang (2002): Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology 22(2), 35-37
      • Nanning Prefecture
        • Binyang Co.
    		Weining Zhou (1994): Mineral Resources and Geology 8(4), 233-244
      • Wuzhou Prefecture
        • Cenxi Co.
          • Fuzichong Pb-Zn-Ag ore field (Fozichong Pb-Zn-Ag ore field)
    		Weining Zhou (1994): Mineral Resources and Geology 8(4), 233-244
    • Hunan Province
      • Chenzhou Prefecture
        • Guiyang Co.
    		Weining Zhou (1994): Mineral Resources and Geology 8(4), 233-244
          • Huangshaping Pb-Zn-polymetallic ore field
    		Anthony, J.W. et al.: Handbook of Mineralogy
    • Jiangsu Province
      • Nanjing Prefecture
        • Jiangning District
    		Xiangping, G., Watanabe, M., Ohkawa, M., Hoshino, K., Shibata, Y., and Desong, C. (2001): Canadian Mineralogist 39(6), 1641-1652.
    • Jiangxi Province
      • Fuzhou Prefecture
        • Dongxiang Co.
    		Xia Ai and Zengyi Chen (1993): Geology and Prospecting 29(4), 25-29
      • Ganzhou Prefecture
        • Anyuan Co.
    		Yingchen Ren (1998): Contributions to Geology and Mineral Resources Research 13(4), 1-17; Yingchen Ren (1999): Contributions to Geology and Mineral Resources Research 14(1), 1-12, 38; American Mineralogist 85, 629 (2000)
        • Yudu Co.
    		Weining Zhou (1994): Mineral Resources and Geology 8(4), 233-244
    Romania
     
    • Maramureș Co.
      • Baia Borsa
    		Mitt. .Österr. Miner. Ges. 143 (1998)
      • Băiuț
    		Mitt. .Österr. Miner. Ges. 143 (1998)
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Banská Štiavnica Co.
      • Brezno Co.
    		Pršek J.,2004: Štruktúra a kryštálochémia sulfosolí zo sulfidických mineralizácii Západnych Karpát (Kandid. Diz.práca).Archív Katedry miner. a petrografie Prírodoved. Fak. UK,Bratislava, 135 s.
          • Sokolova dolina Valley
    		Jaroslav PRŠEK and Martin Chovan (2001) Hydrothermal Carbonate and Sulphide Mineralization in the Late Paleozoic Phyllites (Bacúch, Nízke Tatry Mts.) Geolines 13:27-
    South Korea
     
    Dongbok Shin et al. , The Canadian Mineralogist, Volume 42, Number 5, October 2004, pp. 1465-1481
    Tajikistan
     
    • Viloyati Sogd (Viloyati Sughd; Viloyati Khodzhent; Viloyati Leninabad)
      • Adrasman
        • Karamazar Mts
          • East Karamazar ore district
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
    UK
     
    • Scotland
      • Central Region (Perthshire)
        • Meal nan Oighreag
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
    Ukraine
     
    • Zakarpats'ka Oblast' (Transcarpathian Oblasť; Zakarpattia)
      • Berehivskyi Raion
        • Berehove
    USA
     
    • California
      • Inyo Co.
    		MinRec 15:5
    • Colorado
      • Hinsdale Co.
        • Lake City District (Lake District)
          • Lake City
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • Park Co.
        • Geneva District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
      • San Juan Co.
        • Red Mountain District
          • Poughkeepsie Gulch
    		Dana 7:I:393.
      • San Miguel Co.
        • Ophir District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • Summit Co.
        • Montezuma Area
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Nevada
      • Lander Co.
        • Battle Mountain District
    		USGS Bull 2009
    Mineral and/or Locality
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. 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. 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.
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