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Terlinguaite

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Mariposa Mine (California Mountain Mine), Terlingua District, Brewster Co., Texas, USA
© Thomas Witzke

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Formula:
Hg
 
2
ClO
System:MonoclinicColour:Yellow-, yellow-green, ...
Hardness:2 - 3
Name:Named after its discovery locality, Terlingua, Brewster County, Texas, USA.
This page provides mineralogical data about Terlinguaite.

Classification of Terlinguaite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:3/D.06-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:3.DD.20

3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
D : With Hg
Dana 8th edition ID:10.4.2.1

10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
4 : A2(O,OH)Xq
Hey's CIM Ref.:8.5.3

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

Type Locality:Terlingua District, Brewster Co., Texas, USA
Year of Discovery:1900
Associated Minerals at type locality:
MontroyditeMercuryKleiniteEglestoniteCinnabar
Calomel

Physical Properties of Terlinguaite

Lustre:Adamantine
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Yellow-, yellow-green, brown (darkens to olive-green on exposure to light); pale olive-green in transmitted light
Streak:Lemon yellow
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 3
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
On {_101}
Density (measured):8.725 g/cm3
Density (calculated):8.73 g/cm3

Crystallography of Terlinguaite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:B2/m {B1 1 2/m} {C2/m} {C1 2/m 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 19.51Å, b = 5.91Å, c = 9.47Å
β = 143.81°
Ratio:a:b:c = 3.301 : 1 : 1.602
Unit Cell Volume:V 644.75 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals prismatic [010] and often somewhat flattened on {001}; rarely prismatic in a pyramidal direction; also equidimensional, or thick tabular {001}. Pulverulent; massive aggregates of imperfect crystals (Dana, 7th. ed.: 53).
Crystal Atlas:
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Terlinguaite no.7 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

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Optical Data of Terlinguaite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 2.350 nβ = 2.640 nγ = 2.660
2V:Measured: 20° , Calculated: 26°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.310

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Dispersion:relatively strong
Pleochroism:Weak
Comments:Slightly pleochroic in green and yellow.

Chemical Properties of Terlinguaite

Formula:
Hg
 
2
ClO
Essential elements:Cl, Hg, O
All elements listed in formula:Cl, Hg, O

Relationship of Terlinguaite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
3.DD.05Eglestonite
[Hg
1+
2
]
 
3
[O|OH|Cl
 
3
]
3.DD.05Kadyrelite
Hg
 
4
(Br,Cl)
 
2
O
3.DD.10Poyarkovite
Hg
 
3
ClO
3.DD.15Hanawaltite
Hg
 
6
Hg[Cl,(OH)]
 
2
O
 
3
3.DD.25Pinchite
Hg
 
5
O
 
4
Cl
 
2
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]
+
3
Cl
 
2
S
 
0.5
 · H
 
2
O
3.DD.40Tedhadleyite
Hg
2+
 
Hg
1+
10
O
 
4
I
 
2
(Cl,Br)
 
2
3.DD.45Vasilyevite
[Hg
1+
2
]
 
10
[O
 
6
|I
 
3
|Br
 
2
|Cl|CO
 
3
]
3.DD.50Aurivilliusite
(Hg-Hg)
2+
 
Hg
2+
2
[O|(I,Br,Cl)]
 
2
3.DD.55Terlinguacreekite
Hg
2+
3
O
 
2
Cl
 
2
3.DD.60Kelyanite
(Hg
2+
 
)
 
6
(SbO
 
6
)BrCl
 
2
3.DD.65Comancheite
Hg
 
13
(Cl,Br)
 
8
O
 
9
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
8.5.1Simonkolleite
Zn
 
5
[(OH)
 
8
|Cl
 
2
] · H
 
2
O
8.5.2Calomel
Hg
 
2
Cl
 
2
8.5.4Poyarkovite
Hg
 
3
ClO
8.5.5Pinchite
Hg
 
5
O
 
4
Cl
 
2
8.5.6Eglestonite
[Hg
1+
2
]
 
3
[O|OH|Cl
 
3
]
8.5.7Kadyrelite
Hg
 
4
(Br,Cl)
 
2
O
8.5.8Comancheite
Hg
 
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 Terlinguaite

Other Languages:
German:Terlinguait
Russian:Терлингуаит
Spanish:Terlinguaita

Other Information

Other Information:Turns black immediately when treated with hydrogen sulfide. Ammonia causes a slower change to black. Decomposed with separation of calomel by acetic, hydrochloric, and nitric acids.
Health Warning:Contains mercury - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest.

References for Terlinguaite

Reference List:Mining Sci. Press, San Francisco, 21 July 1900.

Moses (1903) American Journal of Science: 16: 255.

Hillebrand and Schaller (1909) USGS Bulletin 405: 83.

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: 52-56.

Acta Crystallographica (1956): 9: 956.

Internet Links for Terlinguaite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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  • Terlinguaite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Terlinguaite

    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.
    Austria
     
    • Tyrol
      • North Tyrol
        • Inn valley
          • Brixlegg - Schwaz area
            • Brixlegg - Rattenberg
              • Geyer - Silberberg District
                • Silberberg Mt.
    		Schnorrer, G. and Poeverlein, R. (2002) Schwaz-Brixlegg-Fundstellen: 2. Die Minerale des Stockerstollens bei Brixlegg in Tirol. Aufschluss, 53, 209-228.
    Germany
     
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Obermoschel
    		Lapis 2001(6), 13-40
    Kyrgyzstan
     
    • Osh Oblast
      • Alai (Alay) Range
    		[Lapis 1993:11 p11-24]
        • 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.
        • Huahuaxtla
    		Panczner(1987):372.
    Panczner(1987):372.
    • San Luis Potosí
      • Mun. de Moctezuma
        • Moctezuma
          • Hacienda de Santa Antonio de Rul
    		Panczner(1987):135,164,185 & 372.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Tuva Republic
        • Pii-Khem District
          • Uyuk Range
    		Canadian Mineralogist Feb. 1999
    USA
     
    • 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
    		Pemberton:Minerals of California (1983)
      • San Benito Co.
        • Diablo Range
          • New Idria District
    		Mineralogical Record: 36(4): 337-363.
      • San Mateo Co.
    		Minerals Of California, 1983, Pemberton, H. E.
        • Redwood City
          • Emerald Lake area
    • Nevada
      • Humboldt Co.
        • Opalite District
    		Rocks & Minerals, Nov. 1999
        • Poverty Peak District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • Oregon
      • Malheur Co.
    		McCormack, J.K. (2000): Mineralium Deposita 35(8), 796-798.
    • Texas
      • Brewster Co.
    		Mining & Scientific Press, San Francisco, 21. July 1900; 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: 55; Mineralogical Record: 21: 233.
    Rocks & Minerals: 66(3): 196-224.
    Rocks & Minerals: 66(1): 202.
    Kelly Nash Collection
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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