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Vrbaite

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Crven Dol mine, Allchar (Alsar), Roszdan, Republic of Macedonia
© Christian Rewitzer 2011

Show Vrbaite Photos (7)



Formula:
Tl
 
4
Hg
 
3
Sb
 
2
As
 
8
S
 
20
System:OrthorhombicColour:Dark gray-black with ...
Hardness:3½
Name:Named after Karl Vrba (1845-1922), Professor of Mineralogy, Charles University, Prague (Czech Republic).
This page provides mineralogical data about Vrbaite.

Classification of Vrbaite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/E.13-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.HF.20

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
H : Sulfosalts of SnS archetype
F : With SnS and PbS archetype structure units
Dana 8th edition ID:3.7.15.1

3 : SULFOSALTS
7 : ø = 2
Hey's CIM Ref.:5.5.10

5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
5 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Tl
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Type Occurrence of Vrbaite

Type Locality:Allchar (Alsar), Roszdan, Republic of Macedonia
Year of Discovery:1912

Physical Properties of Vrbaite

Lustre:Metallic, Sub-Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Dark gray-black with bluish tint, dark red (thin fragment)
Streak:Pale yellow-red
Hardness (Mohs):3½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
On {010}.
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density (measured):5.27 - 5.33 g/cm3
Density (calculated):5.29 g/cm3

Crystallography of Vrbaite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:Cmca {C2/m 2/c 21/a}
Cell Parameters:a = 13.18Å, b = 23.23Å, c = 11.22Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.567 : 1 : 0.483
Unit Cell Volume:V 3,435.24 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Small crystals, tabular {010} or pyramidal {111}. Occur in groups.

Chemical Properties of Vrbaite

Formula:
Tl
 
4
Hg
 
3
Sb
 
2
As
 
8
S
 
20
Essential elements:As, Hg, S, Sb, Tl
All elements listed in formula:As, Hg, S, Sb, Tl

Relationship of Vrbaite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
2.HF.25aCylindrite
Pb
 
3
Sn
 
4
FeSb
 
2
S
 
14
2.HF.25bFranckeite
Fe
2+
 
(Pb,Sn
2+
 
)
 
6
Sn
4+
2
Sb
 
2
S
 
14
2.HF.25bIncaite
(Pb,Ag)
 
4
Sn
 
4
FeSb
 
2
S
 
13
2.HF.25aLévyclaudite
Pb
 
8
Sn
 
7
Cu
 
3
(Bi,Sb)
 
3
S
 
28
2.HF.25bPotosíite
Pb
 
6
Sn
 
3
FeSb
 
3
S
 
16
2.HF.25bCoiraite
(Pb,Sn)
 
12.5
Sn
 
5
FeAs
 
3
S
 
28
2.HF.25aAbramovite
Pb
 
2
SnInBiS
 
7
2.HF.30Lengenbachite
(Ag,Cu)
 
2
Pb
 
6
As
 
4
S
 
13
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
5.5.1Lorándite
TlAsS
 
2
5.5.2Ellisite
Tl
 
3
AsS
 
3
5.5.3Imhofite
Tl
 
6
CuAs
 
16
S
 
40
5.5.4Simonite
TlHgAs
 
3
S
 
6
5.5.6Christite
TlHgAsS
 
3
5.5.6Routhierite
Tl(Cu,Ag)(Hg,Zn)
 
2
(As,Sb)
 
2
S
 
6
5.5.7Hutchinsonite
(Tl,Pb)
 
2
As
 
5
S
 
9
5.5.8Wallisite
(Cu,Ag)TlPbAs
 
2
S
 
5
5.5.9Bernardite
Tl(As,Sb)
 
5
S
 
8
5.5.11Rebulite
Tl
 
5
Sb
 
5
As
 
8
S
 
22
5.5.12Gillulyite
Tl
 
2
(As,Sb)
 
8
S
 
13
5.5.13Weissbergite
TlSbS
 
2
5.5.14Rohaite
(Tl,Pb,K)
 
2
Cu
 
8.7
Sb
 
2
S
 
4
5.5.15Vaughanite
TlHgSb
 
4
S
 
7
5.5.16Chalcothallite
Tl
 
2
(Cu,Fe)
 
6
SbS
 
4
5.5.17Pierrotite
Tl
 
2
Sb
 
6
As
 
4
S
 
16
5.5.18Parapierrotite
Tl(Sb,As)
 
5
S
 
8
5.5.19Criddleite
TlAg
 
2
Au
 
3
Sb
 
10
S
 
10
5.5.20Chabournéite
Tl
 
21-x
Pb
 
2x
(Sb,As)
 
91-x
S
 
147
 (x = 0-17.5)

Other Names for Vrbaite

Other Languages:
German:Vrbait
Russian:Врбаит
Simplified Chinese:硫砷锑汞铊矿
Spanish:Vrbaita

Other Information

Health Warning:Contains thallium, mercury and arsenic - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest.

References for Vrbaite

Reference List:

- +
Jezek (1912), Ak. Böhmen, Roz.: 21.

Jezek (1912), Zeitschr. Kryst. Min.: 51: 365-378.

Křehlik (1912), Zs. Kr.: 51: 379.

Frondel, Clifford (1941), American Mineralogist: 26: 25.

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: 484-485.

American Mineralogist (1968): 53: 351.

Zeitschrift für Kristallographie (1971): 134: 360-380.

Internet Links for Vrbaite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Vrbaite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
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    • Localities for Vrbaite

    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.
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
      • Narsaq
    		Soerensen, H. (2001): The Ilimaussaq alkaline complex, South Greenland: status of mineralogical research with new results, Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin 190, GEUS
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Tohoku Region
        • Aomori Prefecture
          • Minami-Tsugaru-gun
    		Kagaya, B. (1962) Journal of the Mining College, Akita University, Series A, 2, #2, 60-88.
    Republic of Macedonia
     
    • Roszdan
    		[Zeitschr.Kryst.Min.(1912) 51, 365-378; Rieck, B. (1993) - Famous mineral localities: Allchar, Macedonia, Mineralogical Record, 24 (6), 437-449]
    Christian Reweitzer
    Russia
     
    • Northern Caucasus Region
      • Stavropol'skiy Kray
        • Pyatigorsk
    Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    USA
     
    • Utah
      • Tooele Co.
        • Little Valley
    		No reference listed
    Mineral and/or Locality
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