Crookesite
Appearance
Crookesite | |
---|---|
General | |
Category | Selenide mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) | Cu7(Tl,Ag)Se4 |
Strunz classification | 2.BD.50 |
Crystal system | Tetragonal |
Crystal class | Disphenoidal (4) H-M symbol: (4) |
Space group | I4 |
Identification | |
Color | Lead-gray |
Crystal habit | As finely divided, disseminated specks, and as small veinlets. |
Cleavage | Good, two at right angles |
Fracture | Brittle |
Mohs scale hardness | 2.5–3 |
Luster | Metallic |
Diaphaneity | Opaque |
Specific gravity | 6.90 |
References | [1][2] |
Crookesite is a selenide mineral composed of copper and selenium with variable thallium and silver.
Characteristics
Its chemical formula is reported either as Cu7(Tl,Ag)Se4 or (Cu,Tl,Ag)2Se.[3] It is formed by precipitation from hydrothermal fluids, and contains by mass: 16.3% Tl, 47.3% Cu, 2.9% Ag, and 33.6% Se.[1]
Crookesite is an opaque, bluish grey to pink toned brown metallic mineral crystallizing in the tetragonal system. It has a Mohs hardness of 2.5 to 3 and a specific gravity of 6.9.
Name and discovery
It was discovered in 1866 in Skrikerum, Sweden and named for Sir William Crookes (1832–1919), the discoverer of the element thallium.[1]
See also
References
- Berger, Rolf A.; Sobott, Robert J. (1987). "Characterization of TlCu7S4, a crookesite analogue". Monatshefte für Chemie Chemical Monthly. 118: 967. doi:10.1007/BF00815324.
- Berger, R..A. (1987). "Crookesite and sabatierite in a new light A crystallographer's cornrnent" (PDF). Zeitschrift für Kristallographie. 181: 241–249. Bibcode:1987ZK....181..241B. doi:10.1524/zkri.1987.181.1-4.241.