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Calomel

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Terlingua, Terlingua District, Brewster Co., Texas, USA
© JBS 2006

Show Calomel Photos (12)
Formula:
Hg
 
2
Cl
 
2
System:TetragonalColour:Colourless, white, ...
Hardness:1½ - 2
Name:The name is an old term of uncertain origin, possibly Greek for beautiful and honey.


Calomel-Kuzminite Series

Classification of Calomel

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:3/A.05-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:3.AA.30

3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
A : M:X = 1:1, 2:3, 3:5, etc.
Dana 8th edition ID:9.1.8.1

9 : NORMAL HALIDES
1 : AX
Hey's CIM Ref.:8.5.2

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

Type Locality:Landsberg Mt. (Moschellandsberg Mt.), Obermoschel, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Year of Discovery:1612

Occurrences of Calomel

Geological Setting:Uncommon in the secondary weathering zones of mercury deposits.

Physical Properties of Calomel

Lustre:Adamantine
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless, white, grayish, yellowish white, yellowish grey to ash-grey, brown; darkens upon exposure to light
Streak:Light yellowish white
Hardness (Mohs):1½ - 2
Tenacity:Sectile
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
{110} good but slightly uneven; {011} imperfect.
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):7.15 g/cm3
Density (calculated):7.23 g/cm3

Crystallography of Calomel

Crystal System:Tetragonal
Class (H-M):4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:I4/mmm {I4/m 2/m 2/m}
Cell Parameters:a = 4.4795(5) Å, c = 10.9054(9) Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 2.435
Unit Cell Volume:V 218.83 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Crystals often tabular {001}; prismatic [001]; pyramidal; equant, especially in complex twins. Complex development often exhibited. Drusy crusts of minute crystals. Massive, earthy.
Twinning:On {112}. As contact or interpenetrant twins often repeated and with irregular and concealed boundaries.

Optical Data of Calomel

Type:Uniaxial (+)
RI values: nω = 1.973 nε = 2.656
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.683

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Pleochroism:Weak
Comments:Absorption E greater than O.
Comments:Mechanically deformed crystals may exhibit optical anomalies.

Chemical Properties of Calomel

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

Relationship of Calomel to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Kuzminite (see here)
Common Associates:
TerlinguaiteMontroyditeMercuryLimoniteEglestonite
ClayCinnabarCalcite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
3.AA.05Marshite
CuI
3.AA.05Miersite
(Ag,Cu)I
3.AA.05Nantokite
CuCl
3.AA.05UM1999-11:I:CuS
Cu(I,S)
3.AA.10Iodargyrite
AgI
3.AA.10Tocornalite
(Ag,Hg)I
3.AA.15Bromargyrite
AgBr
3.AA.15Chlorargyrite
AgCl
3.AA.20Carobbiite
KF
3.AA.20Griceite
LiF
3.AA.20Halite
NaCl
3.AA.20Sylvite
KCl
3.AA.20Villiaumite
NaF
3.AA.25Salammoniac
NH
 
4
Cl
3.AA.25UM1998-03-Cl:Tl
TlCl
3.AA.25Lafossaite
Tl(Cl,Br)
3.AA.30Kuzminite
Hg
 
2
(Br,Cl)
 
2
3.AA.30Moschelite
Hg
 
2
I
 
2
3.AA.35Neighborite
NaMgF
 
3
3.AA.40Chlorocalcite
KCaCl
 
3
3.AA.45Kolarite
PbTeCl
 
2
3.AA.50Radhakrishnaite
PbTe
 
3
(Cl,S)
 
2
3.AA.55Challacolloite
KPb
 
2
Cl
 
5
3.AA.60Hephaistosite
TlPb
 
2
Cl
 
5
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
8.5.1Simonkolleite
Zn
 
5
[(OH)
 
8
|Cl
 
2
] · H
 
2
O
8.5.3Terlinguaite
Hg
 
2
ClO
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 Calomel

Synonyms:
CalomelaneCalomeliteCorneous MercuryHorn MercuryHorn Quicksilver
Mercurio corneoMerkur-KeratPlata iodurada mercurialTurpeth
Other Languages:
French:Mercure chloruré
Mercure muriaté
German:Calomelit
Chlormercur
Chlormerkurspath
Chlorquecksilber
Hydrargyrit
Kalomel
Merkur-Hornerz
Merkurspath
Quecksilberchlorür
Quecksilber-Hornerz
Quecksilberhornerz
Quecksilberhornspath
Quecksilberspath
Italian:Calomelano
Russian:Каломель
Spanish:Calomelita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Brick-red (UV)
Thermal Behaviour:Thermally positive.
Health Warning:Contains mercury - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest.
Industrial Uses:Ore of mercury.

References for Calomel

Reference List:Goldschmidt and Mauritz (1908) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 44: 393.

Hillebrand and Schaller (1909) USGS Blletin 405: 159.

Havighurst (1925) American Journal of Science: 10: 15.

Mark and Steinbach (1926) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 64: 79.

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: 25-28.

Zeitschrift für Kristallographie: 187: 305-307.

Internet Links for Calomel

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    Localities for Calomel

    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.
    Chile
     
    • Atacama Region
      • Chañaral Province
        • Diego de Almagro
    		Econ Geol (1991) 86:1287-1300
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Central Bohemia Region
        • Neřežín
    		Velebil, D.: Jedová hora (Dědova hora) u Neřežína. Bulletin mineralogicko-petrografického oddělení Národního muzea v Praze, 2003, roč. 11, s. 86-99.
    France
     
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
      • Hérault
    		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, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 27.
    Germany
     
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Kirchheimbolanden
        • Mörsfeld
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", 1990
      • Kusel
        • Föckelberg
    		Lapis 2001(6), 13-40
      • Obermoschel
    		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, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 27.
      • Rockenhausen
        • Stahlberg
    		Lapis 2001(6), 13-40
      • Wolfstein
        • Königsberg Mt.
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    Italy
     
    • Emilia-Romagna
      • Parma Province
        • Albareto
          • Gotra Valley
    		Pantanelli D. (1896) - Rame e mercurio nativo nell'Appennino Emiliano. - Atti Soc. R. Acc. dei Lincei, Rend. delle Sc. Fis. Mat. e Nat., Sr V, 11-14.
    • Tuscany
      • Lucca Province
        • Apuan Alps
          • Stazzema
    		Orlandi, P. & Campostrini, I. (2005): Zibaldone. Aggiornamenti di mineralogia italiana 2004. Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 3/2005, 184-191.
    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.
    • Queretaro
      • Mun. de Cadereyta
        • El Doctor (Doctor)
    		Panczner (1987): 135.
    • San Luis Potosí
      • Mun. de Moctezuma
        • Moctezuma
          • Hacienda de Santa Antonio de Rul
    		Panczner(1987):135,164,185 & 372.
    • Sonora
      • Mun. de Moctezuma
    		Lapis 2001(1), 11-40
    • Zacatecas
      • Plateros
    		[Clark, 1993 -"Hey's Mineral Index", p509]
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Buriatia (Buryatia) Republic
          • Baunt District
            • North-Muya Range
              • Middle Kelyana River
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
      • Tuva Republic
        • Pii-Khem District
          • Uyuk Range
    		Canadian Mineralogist Feb. 1999; Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
            • Oorash-Khem River Valley
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Kamchatka Oblast'
    		[Der Aufschluss 1995:4 p163-180]
    Serbia
     
    • Belgrade
      • Mt Avala
    		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, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 27.
    Slovakia
     
    • Košice Region
      • Eastern Slovenské Rudohorie Mts
        • Nižná Slaná
    		Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590k
        • Smolnik Mining District
    		Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590
        • Švedlár
    		Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590k
    Spain
     
    • Castile-La Mancha
      • Ciudad Real
        • Almadén District
          • Almadén
    		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, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 27.
    UK
     
    • England
      • North Yorkshire
        • North Pennines
          • Wharfedale
            • Grassington
              • Grassington Moor
    		Encyclopedia of Mins., 2nd Ed.:134.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Gila Co.
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 174-175; Lausen, C. (1926), Tourmaline-bearing cinnabar veins of the Mazatzal Mountains, AZ, Econ.Geol.: 21: 782-791.
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 153, 211.
      • Maricopa Co.
        • Mazatzal Mts
          • Sunflower District (Mazatzal Mountains District; Quicksilver District)
            • Gila County belt
    		MRDS file #10040378.
    • Arkansas
      • Pike Co.
    		Roberts, A.C. et al (2003), The Canadian Mineralogist: 41(3): 721-725.
    • California
      • Napa Co.
        • Knoxville
    		Dana 7.
        • Mayacmas Mts (Mayacamas Mts)
          • East Mayacmas District
            • Pope Valley
              • Detert Reservoir area
    		Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 262.
      • San Benito Co.
        • Diablo Range
          • New Idria District
    		Dunning, Hadley, Cooper, Magnasco collections; Canadian Mineralogist: 34: 61-72.
      • San Luis Obispo Co.
        • Santa Lucia Range
          • Cambria-Oceanic District
    		Am Min 64:3-4 pp 1026-1038
      • San Mateo Co.
    		Minerals Of California, 1983, Pemberton, H. E.
        • Palo Alto area
    		Rogers, Austin Flint (1911a), Eglestonite from San Mateo County, California: American Journal of Science, 4th. Series: 32: 48-50; Bradley, W.W. (1918), Quicksilver resources of California, with a section on metallurgy and ore dressing: California Mining Bureau. Bulletin 78: 149; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 173-174.
        • Redwood City
          • Emerald Lake area
    		No reference listed
    Woodhouse, C.D. (1934), A new occurrence of montroydite in California: American Mineralogist: 19: 603-604; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 119, 174, 273.
    • Colorado
      • Boulder Co.
        • Magnolia District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Nevada
      • Churchill Co.
        • Wild Horse District
    		NBMG Bull 80 Geology and Mineral Deposits of Lander County, Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Bull 80 Geology and Mineral Deposits of Lander County, Nevada
      • Elko Co.
    		NBMG Bull 106 Geology and Mineral Resources of Elko County, Nevada
    NBMG Bull 106 Geology and Mineral Resources of Elko County, Nevada
    NBMG Bull 106 Geology and Mineral Resources of Elko County, Nevada
      • Eureka Co.
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Humboldt Co.
        • National District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada; Econ Geol (1985) 80:360-393
        • Opalite District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada; McCormack, J.K. (2000): Mineralium Deposita 35(8), 796-798.
        • Poverty Peak District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Lander Co.
        • Wild Horse District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Nye Co.
        • Belmont District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
        • Paradise Peak District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
        • Tybo District
    		NBMG Bull 99B Geology and Mineral Resources of Northern Nye County, Nevada
      • Pershing Co.
        • Antelope Springs District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
        • Spring Valley District
    		NBMG Bull 89 Geology and Mineral Resources of Pershing County, Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Bull 89 Geology and Mineral Resources of Pershing County, Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Bull 89 Geology and Mineral Resources of Pershing County, Nevada
      • Storey Co.
        • Castle Peak District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Washoe Co.
        • Lone Pine District
    		NBMG Bull 70 Geology and Mineral Resources of Washoe and Storey Counties, Nevada
    • New Mexico
      • Socorro Co.
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    • Oregon
      • Jefferson Co.
        • Horse Heaven District
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
      • Malheur Co.
    		McCormack, J.K. (2000): Mineralium Deposita 35(8), 796-798.
    • Texas
      • Brewster Co.
    		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, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 27; Mineralogical Record: 21: 233.
    R&M 66:3 pp 196-224
    Rocks & Minerals: 66(1): 202.
    Kelly Nash Collection
    Mineral and/or Locality
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