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Aschamalmite

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Nasenkopf, Habach valley, Hohe Tauern, Salzburg, Austria
© mslama

Show Aschamalmite Photos (8)



Formula:
Pb
 
6
Bi
 
2
S
 
9
System:MonoclinicColour:Lead-grey
Lustre:MetallicHardness:3½
Name:For the type locality


Closely related to heyrovskýite.
Aschamalmite has a monoclinically distorted structure (due to Pb-Bi ordering), unlike heyrovskýite (orthorhombic). Aschamalmite is apparently only stable <350°C.

Classification of Aschamalmite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/E.29-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.JB.40b

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:3.1.11.1

3 : SULFOSALTS
1 : ø > 4
Hey's CIM Ref.:3.6.9

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
6 : Sulphides etc. of Sb and Pb
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Type Occurrence of Aschamalmite

Type Locality:Ascham Alp - southeast of, Ascham Alp - Breitfuß - Sonntagskopf area, Untersulzbach valley, Hohe Tauern, Salzburg, Austria
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Museum of Natural History, Vienna, Austria; Division of Mineral Chemistry, C.S.I.R.O., Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 160379.
Year of Discovery:1983

Occurrences of Aschamalmite

Geological Setting:Alpine cleft veins

Physical Properties of Aschamalmite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Lead-grey
Hardness (Mohs):3½
Hardness (Vickers):VHN50=150 - 181 kg/mm2
Cleavage:Perfect
on {001}
Density (calculated):7.33 g/cm3

Crystallography of Aschamalmite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:a = 13.719(1) Å, b = 4.132(1) Å, c = 31.419(3) Å
β = 90.94(1)°
Ratio:a:b:c = 3.32 : 1 : 7.604
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,780.81 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Prismatic lath like crystals to 5cm
Comment:SG C2/m
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
3.525 (42)
3.426 (100)
3.378 (88)
2.941 (54)
2.926 (54)
2.861 (48)
2.067 (42)
Comments:Ascham Alm, Austria.

Optical Data of Aschamalmite

Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:moderate from gray to red-brown
Reflectivity:
470nmR1=45.1%R2= 48.1%
546nmR1=43.4%R2= 46.3%
589nmR1=42.9%R2= 46.3%
650nmR1=42.9%R2= 46.3%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 48.1%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:Creamy white

Chemical Properties of Aschamalmite

Formula:
Pb
 
6
Bi
 
2
S
 
9
Essential elements:Bi, Pb, S
All elements listed in formula:Bi, Pb, S
Analytical Data:Ascham Alm, Austria; by electron microprobe.
Pb (62.95)
Bi (22.56)
S (14.89)
Total (100.40)
Empirical Formula:
Pb
 
5.89
Bi
 
2.05
S
 
9.00

Relationship of Aschamalmite to other Species

Common Associates:
QuartzOrthoclaseGalenaCosaliteChlorite Group
CalciteAlbite
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.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.40dSchirmerite
AgPb
 
2
Bi
 
3
S
 
7
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:

- +
3.6.1Herzenbergite
(Sn,Pb)SnS
 
2
3.6.2Ottemannite
beta Sn
 
2
S
 
3
3.6.3Berndtite
SnS
 
2
3.6.4Stistaite
SnSb
3.6.5Galena
PbS
3.6.6Clausthalite
PbSe
3.6.7Altaite
PbTe
3.6.8Furutobeite
(Cu,Ag)
 
6
PbS
 
4
3.6.10Betekhtinite
Pb
 
2
(Cu,Fe)
 
21
S
 
15
3.6.11Shadlunite
(Pb,Cd)(Fe,Cu)
 
8
S
 
8

Other Names for Aschamalmite

Synonyms:
IMA1982-089
Other Languages:
German:Aschamalmit
Spanish:Aschamalmita

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 Aschamalmite

Reference List:

- +
Mumme, W. G., Niedermayr, G., Kelly, P. R., Paar, W. H. (1983): Aschamalmite, Pb5.92Bi2.06S9, from Untersulzbach Valley in Salzburg, Austria - “monoclinic heyrovskyite”, Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte, 1983, 433-444.

American Mineralogist: 69: 810.

Boiocchi, M. & Callegari, A. (2008): Aschamalmite (Pb6Bi2S9): crystal structure refinement and ordering scheme for Pb and Bi atoms. Plinius, 34, 220.

Callegari, A.M. & Boiocchi, M. (2009): Aschamalmite (Pb6Bi2S9): crystal structure and ordering scheme for Pb and Bi atoms. Mineralogical Magazine, 73, 83-94.

Internet Links for Aschamalmite

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

    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.
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Hohe Tauern
        • Goldberg group
          • Innerfragant
            • Wurten
    		Blass, G. & Graf, H.-W. (2001): 1255. Plumbojarosit, Schwefel, unbekannte Wismut-Sekundärphasen sowie Aschamalmit, Gersdorffit und ein nicht eindeutig bestimmtes Wismuterz von der Feldsee Scharte im Wurtengebiet, Hohe Tauern, Kärnten. Pp. 158-159 in: NIEDERMAYR, G., F. BERNHARD, G. BLASS, H.-P. BOJAR, F. BRANDSTÄTTER, K. ETTINGER, H.-W. GRAF, V. M. F. HAMMER, B. LEIKAUF, H. MEDITZ, B. MOSER, W. POSTL, J. TAUCHER & P. TOMAZIC (2001): Neue Mineralfunde aus Österreich L. – Carinthia II, 191./111.: 141-185; U. Kolitsch (SXRD-analysis)
    • Salzburg
      • Hohe Tauern
        • Habach valley
          • Moar Alp
    		Natural History Museum Vienna collection (SXRD-analysed by Uwe Kolitsch)
          • Nasenkopf
            • Leckbachgraben (Leckbachrinne)
              • Emerald deposit
    		C Mavris collection, not analyzed
    Bayerl, R. (2004): Krupkait, ein Erstfund aus dem Habachtal. Lapis 29 (7-8), 54-56. (in German)
    Lapis 25(12):42 (2000)
    R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    Kolitsch, U. (2012): 1748) Aschamalmit von der Wiesbachrinne im Habachtal, Salzburg. P. 153 in Niedermayr, G. et al. (2012): Neue Mineralfunde aus Österreich LXI. Carinthia II, 202./122., 123-180.
        • Untersulzbach valley
          • Ascham Alp - Breitfuß - Sonntagskopf area
    		Neues Jahrb.Min.,Mh.(1983) 433-444
    NIEDERMAYR, G., W. POSTL & F. WALTER (1984): Neue Mineralfunde aus Österreich XXXIII. Carinthia II, 174./94.: 243-260 [cited also in A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs (1989)]
    Italy
     
    • Piedmont
      • Torino Province
        • Susa Valley
          • Bussoleno
            • Tignai
    		Callegari, A., Boiocchi, M., Cech, G. (2008). Ritrovamento di aschamalmite in Val di Susa. Micro (notizie mineralogiche), 1/2008, 125-128. Boiocchi, M. & Callegari, A. (2008): Aschamalmite (Pb6Bi2S9): crystal structure refinement and ordering scheme for Pb and Bi atoms. Plinius, 34, 220.
      • Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province
        • Ossola Valley
          • Vigezzo Valley
            • Santa Maria Maggiore
              • Basso Valley
                • Cedo Alp
    		Perchiazzi N. (1989) - Aschamalmite: secondo ritrovamento in natura presso l'Alpe Cedo, val d'Ossola - Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, Milano, vol. 4, pp.238-240
    Romania
     
    • Bihor Co.
      • Nucet
    		www.minerals-of-the carpathians.eu (2009)
    USA
     
    • New Mexico
      • Hidalgo Co.
        • Peloncillo Mts
          • San Simon District
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
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