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Chalcothallite

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Nakalak (Nakalaq; Nakkaalaaq) Mt., Tasseq area, Ilimaussaq complex, Narsaq, Kitaa (West Greenland) Province, Greenland

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Formula:
Tl
 
2
(Cu,Fe)
 
6
SbS
 
4
System:TetragonalColour:Lead Grey to iron black
Lustre:MetallicHardness:2 - 2½
Name:For the chemical composition.
This page provides mineralogical data about Chalcothallite.

Classification of Chalcothallite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/F.04-07
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.BD.40

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
D : With Hg, Tl
Dana 8th edition ID:3.2.7.1

3 : SULFOSALTS
2 : ø = 4
Hey's CIM Ref.:5.5.16

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 Chalcothallite

Type Locality:Nakalak (Nakalaq; Nakkaalaaq) Mt., Tasseq area, Ilimaussaq complex, Narsaq, Kitaa (West Greenland) Province, Greenland
Year of Discovery:1978
Geological Setting of type material:Ussingite veins in poikilitic sodalite syenite

Physical Properties of Chalcothallite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Lead Grey to iron black
Comment:Iridescent tarnish
Streak:Black
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 2½
Hardness (Vickers):VHN50=68 - 76 kg/mm2
Comment:VHN on (001)
Tenacity:Waxy
Cleavage:Perfect
perfect on {001}
indistinct on {100} {010}
Comment:Plastic, tectonically deformed.
Density (measured):6.6 g/cm3
Density (calculated):6.74 g/cm3

Crystallography of Chalcothallite

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}
Space Group Setting:I4/mmm
Cell Parameters:a = 3.827(1) Å, c = 34.280(1) Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 8.957
Unit Cell Volume:V 502.06 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Lamellar aggregatesd to 2cm
Twinning:Fine grid of lamellae parallel to (110) and (110)

Optical Data of Chalcothallite

Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:Distinct in orange to red-browns
Colour in reflected light:Creamy white to light gray with brownish creamy tint
Pleochroism:Visible

Chemical Properties of Chalcothallite

Formula:
Tl
 
2
(Cu,Fe)
 
6
SbS
 
4
Essential elements:Cu, S, Sb, Tl
All elements listed in formula:Cu, Fe, S, Sb, Tl
Common Impurities:Pb,Se

Relationship of Chalcothallite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
2.BD.UM2004-33-S:AgCuHgSe
(Ag,Cu)
 
8
Hg
 
3
(S,Se)
 
7
2.BD.05Imiterite
Ag
 
2
HgS
 
2
2.BD.10Gortdrumite
(Cu,Fe)
 
6
Hg
 
2
S
 
5
2.BD.15Balkanite
Cu
 
9
Ag
 
5
HgS
 
8
2.BD.15Danielsite
(Cu,Ag)
 
14
HgS
 
8
2.BD.20Donharrisite
Ni
 
8
Hg
 
3
S
 
9
2.BD.25Carlinite
Tl
 
2
S
2.BD.30Bukovite
Tl
 
2
(Cu,Fe)
 
4
Se
 
4
2.BD.30Murunskite
K
 
2
(Cu,Fe)
 
4
S
 
4
2.BD.30Thalcusite
Tl
 
2
Cu
 
3
FeS
 
4
2.BD.35Rohaite
(Tl,Pb,K)
 
2
Cu
 
8.7
Sb
 
2
S
 
4
2.BD.45Sabatierite
Cu
 
6
TlSe
 
4
2.BD.50Crookesite
Cu
 
7
(Tl, Ag)Se
 
4
2.BD.55Brodtkorbite
Cu
 
2
HgSe
 
2
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
5.5.10Vrbaite
Tl
 
4
Hg
 
3
Sb
 
2
As
 
8
S
 
20
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
5.5.17Pierrotite
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 Chalcothallite

Synonyms:
IMA1966-008
Other Languages:
German:Chalcothallit
Russian:Халькоталлит
Simplified Chinese:硫锑铊铁铜矿
Spanish:Chalcothallita

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 Chalcothallite

Reference List:

- +
American Mineralogist: 53: 1775.

American Mineralogist: 64: 658.

Internet Links for Chalcothallite

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    • Localities for Chalcothallite

    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.
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    (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
        • Ilimaussaq complex
    		Karup-Moeller, S., Makovicky E. (2001): Thalcusite from Nakkaalaaq, the Ilimaussaq alkaline complex, South Greenland, South Greenland, Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin, 190, 127-130
          • Tasseq area
    		Meddr Gronland,(1967) 181, n. 5, 13-26
    Karup-Moeller, S., Makovicky E. (2001): Thalcusite from Nakkaalaaq, the Ilimaussaq alkaline complex, South Greenland, South Greenland, Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin, 190, 127-130
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