Galkhaite
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About Galkhaite
Formula:
(Cs,Tl)(Hg,Cu,Zn)6(As,Sb)4S12
Colour:
Dark orange-red
Lustre:
Adamantine, Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
5.4
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
For the the Gal-Khaya As-Hg-Sb deposit, Russia, one of the co-type localities.
Co-Type Localities:
Isostructural with:
Classification of Galkhaite
Approved
First published:
1972
2/E.11-10
2.GB.20
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
B : Neso-sulfarsenites, etc. with additional S
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
B : Neso-sulfarsenites, etc. with additional S
3.4.14.1
3 : SULFOSALTS
4 : ø = 3
3 : SULFOSALTS
4 : ø = 3
5.4.5
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
4 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Zn and Hg
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
4 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Zn and Hg
Physical Properties of Galkhaite
Adamantine, Vitreous
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Dark orange-red
Streak:
Orange-yellow
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=186 - 202 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
5.4 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.44 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Chemical Properties of Galkhaite
Formula:
(Cs,Tl)(Hg,Cu,Zn)6(As,Sb)4S12
IMA Formula:
(Hg5Cu)CsAs4S12
Common Impurities:
Fe,Se
Crystallography of Galkhaite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:
I4 3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.365(3) Å
Unit Cell V:
1,113.55 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
12
Morphology:
Crystals to 1cm, granular aggregates.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0005182 | Galkhaite | Chen T T, Szymanski J T (1981) The structure and chemistry of galkhaite, a mercury sulfosalt containing Cs and Tl The Canadian Mineralogist 19 571-581 | ![]() | 1981 | Getchell mine, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA | 0 | 293 |
0014754 | Galkhaite | Divjakovic V, Nowacki W (1975) Die kristallstruktur von galchait [Hg0.76(Cu,Zn)0.24]12Tl0.96(AsS3)8 Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1975 291-293 | 1975 | Getchell mine, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Geological Environment
Geological Setting:
Hydrothermal Hg-Au deposits
Type Occurrence of Galkhaite
Co-Type Localities:
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Fersman Museum
Reference:
Grudzen, V.S., Stepanov, V.I., Shumkova, N.G., Chernitsova, M.M., Yudin, R.N., Bryzgalov, I.A. (1972) Galkhaite, HgAsS2, a new mineral from arsenic-antimony-mercury deposits of the USSR. Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR: 205: 1194-1197.
Synonyms of Galkhaite
Other Language Names for Galkhaite
Relationship of Galkhaite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Ferrovorontsovite | (Fe5Cu)Σ6TlAs4S12 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
Vorontsovite | (Hg5Cu)Σ6TlAs4S12 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
2.GB. | Argentopearceite | Ag16As2S11 | Trig. 3 2 : P3 2 1 |
2.GB.05 | Argentotennantite-(Zn) | Ag6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12S | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
2.GB.05 | Freibergite Subgroup | ([Ag6]4+,((Cu,Ag)4C2+2)Sb4S12S0-1 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
2.GB.05 | Giraudite-(Zn) | Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4Se12Se | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
2.GB.05 | Goldfieldite | (Cu4◻2)(Cu4Cu+2)Te4S12S | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
2.GB.05 | Hakite-(Hg) | Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4Se12Se | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
2.GB.05 | Tennantite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
2.GB.05 | Tetrahedrite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12S | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
2.GB.05 | Argentotetrahedrite-(Fe) | Ag6(Cu4Fe2)Sb4S12S | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
2.GB.10 | Selenostephanite | Ag5SbSe4 | Orth. |
2.GB.10 | Stephanite | Ag5SbS4 | Orth. mm2 : Cmc21 |
2.GB.15 | Pearceite | [Ag9CuS4][(Ag,Cu)6(As,Sb)2S7] | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
2.GB.15 | Polybasite | [(Ag,Cu)6(Sb,As)2S7][Ag9CuS4] | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
2.GB.15 | UM2003-14-S:AgBiFeTe | Ag16FeBiTe3S8 | |
2.GB.15 | Selenopolybasite | [(Ag,Cu)6(Sb,As)2(S,Se)7][Ag9Cu(S,Se)2Se2] | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
2.GB.15 | Cupropearceite | [Cu6As2S7][Ag9CuS4] | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
2.GB.15 | Cupropolybasite | [Cu6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4] | Trig. 3m : P3 1m |
2.GB.15 | UM1979-17-S:BiCuFe | ~Cu18Fe4BiS16 |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
5.4.1 | Nowackiite | Cu6Zn3As4S12 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
5.4.2 | Florensovite | (Cu,Zn)Cr1.5Sb0.5S4 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) |
5.4.3 | Aktashite | Cu6Hg3As4S12 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
5.4.4 | Laffittite | AgHgAsS3 | Mon. |
5.4.6 | Livingstonite | HgSb4S6(S2) | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
5.4.7 | Gruzdevite | Cu6Hg3Sb4S12 | Trig. |
5.4.8 | Tvalchrelidzeite | Hg3SbAsS3 | Mon. 2/m |
5.4.9 | Hakite-(Hg) | Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4Se12Se | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
References for Galkhaite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Grudzen, V.S., Stepanov, V.I., Shumkova, N.G., Chernitsova, M.M., Yudin, R.N., Bryzgalov, I.A. (1972) Galkhaite, HgAsS2, a new mineral from arsenic-antimony-mercury deposits of the USSR. Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR: 205: 1194-1197.
Botinelly, T., Neuerburg, G.J., Conklin, N.M. (1973) Galkhaite, (Hg,Cu,Tl,Zn) (As,Sb)S2 , from the Getchell mine, Humboldt County, Nevada. Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey: 1(5): 515-518.
Fleischer, M. (1974) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 59: 208-212.
Jungles, G. (1974) Galkhaite: A newly described mineral from Siberia found at the Getchell mine, Nevada. Mineralogical Record: 5: 290.
Kaplunnik, L.N., Pobedimskaya, E.A., Belov, N.V. (1975) The crystal structure of galkhaite HgAsS2. Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR: 225: 561-563.
Kaplunnik, L.N., Pobedimskaya, E.A., Belov, N.V. (1975) The crystal structure of galkhaite, HgAsS2. Soviet Physics - Doklady: 20: 723-724.
Divjakovic, V., Nowacki, W. (1975) Die kristallstruktur von galchait [Hg0.76(Cu,Zn)0.24]12Tl0.96(AsS3)8. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte: 1975: 291-293.
Chen, T.T., Szymanski, J.T. (1981) The structure and chemistry of galkhaite, a mercury sulfosalt containing Cs and Tl. The Canadian Mineralogist: 19: 571-581.
Chen, T.T., Szymanski, J.T. (1982) A comparison of galkhaite from Nevada and from the type locality, Khaydarkan, Kirgizia, U.S.S.R.. The Canadian Mineralogist: 20: 575-577.
Dunn, P.J., Fleischer, M., Burns, R.G., Pabst, A. (1983) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 68: 471-475 (474).
Pekov, I.V., Bryzgalov, I.A. (2006) New data on galkhaite. New Data on Minerals. Moscow: 41: 26-32.
Pekov, I.V., Bryzgalov, I.A. (2006) New data on galkhaite (Russian). New Data on Minerals. Moscow: 41: 26-32.
Borisov, S.V., Magarill, S.A., Pervukhina, N.V. (2009) Characteristic features of crystal chemistry of natural mercury-containing sulfides and sulfosalts. Journal of Structural Chemistry: 50: 853-860.
Vasil'ev, V.I., Pervukhina, N.V., Borisov, S.V., Magarill, S.A. (2010) New data on the composition and crystal structure of galkhaite, (Hg,Cu)6(Cs,Tl)(As,Sb)4S12. Geology of Ore Deposits: 52: 662-668.
Biagioni, C., Bindi, L., Zaccarini, F. (2014) Crystal chemistry of mercury sulfosalts – galkhaite, (Hg5+xCu1-x)Cs1-xAs4S12 (x≈0): crystal structure and revision of the chemical formula. The Canadian Mineralogist: 52: 873-882.
Internet Links for Galkhaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1643.html
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Localities for Galkhaite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Canada | |
| G.S.C.Misc.Rep.49, 1991, pp.86-89 |
Ann P.Sabina (1991), Rocks and Minerals for the Collector, Sudbury to Winnipeg. GSC Misc. Report 49. p.86 | |
Ann P.Sabina (1991), Rocks and Minerals for the Collector, Sudbury to Winnipeg. GSC Misc. Report 49. p.86 | |
Iran | |
| Mehrabi, B. (2008). Solid solution in the As2S3-Sb2S3 Series at Zarshuran Gold Deposit, Iran. Journal of Sciences, Islamic Republic of Iran, 19, 137-143. ; Mehrabi, B., Yardley, B.W.D., and Cann, J.R. (1999): Mineralium Deposita 34, 673-696.; Asadi, H.H., Voncken, J.H.L, Kühnel, R.A., and Hale, M. (2000): Mineralium Deposita 35, 656-671.; W. H. Paar, A. Pring, Y. Moëlo, C. J. Stanley, H. Putz, D. Topa, A. C. Roberts, R. S. W. Braithwaite (2009): Daliranite, PbHgAs2S6, a new sulphosalt from the Zarshouran Au-As deposit, Takab region, Iran. Mineralogical Magazine, 73, 871-881. |
Italy | |
| Biagioni, C., Ciriotti, M.E., Ambrino, P., Brizio, P. (2010): Secondo ritrovamento europeo di galkhaite Cumbë Suřdë, Signols, Piemonte. Micro (UK report), 1/2010, 118-123. |
Kyrgyzstan (TL) | |
| Grudzen, V.S., Stepanov, V.I., Shumkova, N.G., Chernitsova, M.M., Yudin, R.N., Bryzgalov, I.A. (1972) Galkhaite, HgAsS2, a new mineral from arsenic-antimony-mercury deposits of the USSR. Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR: 205: 1194-1197.; Lapis 11:11-24; Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow. |
| [Lapis 1993:11 p11-24]; Evseev, A. A. (1995) Kazaknstan and Middle Asia. A brief Mineralogical Guide. World of Stone 8:24-30 |
Russia (TL) | |
| DAN-SSSR,(1972) 205,; Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990; V. I. Vasil’ev, N. V. Pervukhina, S. V. Borisov und S. A. Magarill (2010): New data on the composition and crystal structure of galkhaite (Hg,Cu)6(Cs,Tl)(As,Sb)4S12. Geology of Ore Deposits, 52, 662-668. ; Nokleberg, W. J. (2005). Metallogenesis and tectonics of the Russian far east, Alaska, and the Canadian cordillera (No. 1697). US Dept. of the Interior, US Geological Survey. |
USA | |
| NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada |
| Min.Rec.:20:469. |
NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada | |
NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada | |
| NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada; Jungles, G. (1974): Galkhaite: A newly described mineral from Siberia found at the Getchell mine, Nevada. Mineralogical Record 5: 290; Bowell, R. J., Perkins, W. F., Tahija, D., Ackerman, J., & Mansanti, J. (2005). Application of LAICPMS to trouble shooting mineral processing problems at the Getchell mine, Nevada. Minerals engineering, 18(8), 754-761. |
U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia; USGS (2005), Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS): U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia, loc. file ID #10149626. | |
| Colorado School of Mines museum specimens, discovered by Phil Persson. |
Getchell Mine, Adam Peak, Potosi Mining District, Osgood Mountains, Humboldt Co., Nevada, USA