Fairbankite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Fairbankite
Nathaniel K. Fairbank
Formula:
Pb2+12(Te4+O3)11(SO4)
Formerly asssumed to be PbTeO3.
Colour:
Colorless
Lustre:
Adamantine, Resinous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
7.45 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named for Nathaniel Kellogg Fairbank (20 October 1829, Sodus, New York, USA - 27 March 1903), an important figure in the early development of Tombstone, Arizona. It was he who organized the company that developed the Grand Central lode, the type locality.
Chemically similar to adanite; and somewhat to northstarite; and schieffelinite. Also compare bairdite, eztlite, and tlapallite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1439
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1439:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
4107426a-c2f4-4a32-9830-66951a52acec
Classification of Fairbankite
Approved
IMA status notes:
Redefined by the IMA
Approval year:
1979
First published:
1979
Approval history:
Formula redefinition by IMA 19-I (https://www.eur-j-mineral.net/32/275/2020/).
Type description reference:
4.JK.50
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
34.1.2.1
34.1.2.1
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
1 : A(XO3)
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
1 : A(XO3)
28.3.13
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Fbk | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Fairbankite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon & Katya Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Fairbankite
Adamantine, Resinous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
7.45 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Fairbankite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 2.290 nβ = 2.310 nγ = 2.330
2V:
Measured: 86° , Calculated: 88°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.040
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
strong
Chemical Properties of Fairbankite
Formula:
Pb2+12(Te4+O3)11(SO4)
Formerly asssumed to be PbTeO3.
Formerly asssumed to be PbTeO3.
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Fairbankite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pedial
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.0205(3) Å, b = 10.6828(6) Å, c = 14.4916(8) Å
α = 75.161(5)°, β = 81.571(4)°, γ = 83.744(4)°
α = 75.161(5)°, β = 81.571(4)°, γ = 83.744(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.657 : 1 : 1.357
Unit Cell V:
1,036.35 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Comment:
Originally given cell (space group P-1): 7.81, 7.11, 6.96 Å, 117.2, 93.78, 93.4°.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.268 Å | (100) |
| 3.151 Å | (82) |
| 3.025 Å | (50) |
| 3.105 Å | (49) |
| 1.923 Å | (35) |
| 2.830 Å | (34) |
| 2.520 Å | (34) |
Comments:
Grand Central mine, Arizona, USA. Data from Missen et al. (2021).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Fairbankite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
1) Natural History Museum, Paris
2) The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1980,540
3) National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 160238.
2) The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1980,540
3) National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 160238.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Williams, S.A. (1979) Girdite, oboyerite, fairbankite, and winstanleyite, four new tellurium minerals from Tombstone, AZ. Mineralogical Magazine: 43: 453-457.
Synonyms of Fairbankite
Other Language Names for Fairbankite
German:Fairbankit
Spanish:Fairbankita
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Fairbankite associated with Jarosite | KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 2 photos of Fairbankite associated with Winstanleyite | TiTe4+3O8 |
| 1 photo of Fairbankite associated with Chlorargyrite | AgCl |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JK. | Matthiasweilite | PbTe4+O3 |
| 4.JK.05 | Winstanleyite | TiTe4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.05 | Walfordite | (Fe3+,Te6+)Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.10 | Spiroffite | Mn2+2Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.10 | Zincospiroffite | Zn2Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.15 | Balyakinite | Cu(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.20 | Rajite | Cu(Te4+2O5) |
| 4.JK.25 | Carlfriesite | CaTe4+2Te6+O8 |
| 4.JK.30 | Denningite | (Mn2+,Ca,Zn)Te4+2O5 |
| 4.JK.35 | Chekhovichite | Bi2Te4+4O11 |
| 4.JK.40 | Smirnite | Bi2Te4+O5 |
| 4.JK.45 | Choloalite | (Cu,Sb)3(Pb,Ca)3(TeO3)6Cl |
| 4.JK.55 | Plumbotellurite | Pb(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.60 | Magnolite | [Hg2]2+[Te4+O3] |
| 4.JK.65 | Moctezumite | Pb(UO2)(TeO3)2 |
| 4.JK.70 | Schmitterite | (UO2)(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.75 | Cliffordite | (UO2)Te4+3O7 |
Other Information
Notes:
Easy fusion to a grey slag. Very slowly soluble in cold dilute HNO3 and HCl but solubility is easy when warmed.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Fairbankite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1439.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Fairbankite
Reference List:
Localities for Fairbankite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
USA (TL) | |
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Tombstone, Tombstone Mining District, Cochise County, Arizona, USA