Danielsite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Danielsite
Formula:
(Cu,Ag)14HgS8
Colour:
Grey
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
1½ - 2
Specific Gravity:
6.541 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1987 by Ernest H. Nickel in honor of Dr. John L. Daniels (1931– ), geologist with Geoscan Pty. Ltd. who collected the material in which the mineral was found. He was also Supervisor for the Regional Geological Mapping Division of the Geological Survey of Western Australia and was the first person to investigate the Giles Complex.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1219
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1219:1
IMA Classification of Danielsite
Approved
Approval year:
1984
First published:
1987
Classification of Danielsite
2.BD.15
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
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
2.16.7.2
2 : SULFIDES
16 : Miscellaneous
2 : SULFIDES
16 : Miscellaneous
3.5.7
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
5 : Sulphides etc. of Hg and Tl
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
5 : Sulphides etc. of Hg and Tl
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Dns | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Danielsite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Grey
Hardness:
1½ - 2 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN10=38 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Density:
6.541 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Danielsite
Anisotropism:
Moderate in shades of gray
Bireflectance:
Weak
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 470nm | 34% | 32% |
| 546nm | 31% | 30% |
| 589nm | 30% | 28% |
| 650nm | 29% | 27% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 34%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Gray
Comments:
Very similar in appearance to stromeyerite but with less anisotropism.
Chemistry of Danielsite
Mindat Formula:
(Cu,Ag)14HgS8
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Danielsite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.644 Å, b = 9.180 Å, c = 18.156 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.051 : 1 : 1.978
Unit Cell V:
1,607.39 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
20 micron masses in anglesite
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.622 Å | (100) |
| 1.959 Å | (60) |
| 1.875 Å | (60) |
| 2.392 Å | (50) |
| 2.831 Å | (30) |
| 4.44 Å | (20) |
| 3.648 Å | (20) |
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] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Danielsite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Ragged, polycrystalline masses, generally intergrown with other minerals and as small inclusions in anglesite. Individual grains in the polycrystalline masses are about 20 microns, maximum diameter.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
W.A. State Mineral Collection, Government Chemical Laboratories, Perth, Australia.
Museum of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
Museum of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Weathering product in quartz vein.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Danielsite
Other Language Names for Danielsite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Danielsite associated with Anglesite | PbSO4 |
| 6 photos of Danielsite associated with Stromeyerite | AgCuS |
| 3 photos of Danielsite associated with Galena | PbS |
| 2 photos of Danielsite associated with Chalcocite | Cu2S |
| 2 photos of Danielsite associated with Covellite | CuS |
| 1 photo of Danielsite associated with Tetrahedrite Group | M2(A6)M1(B4 C2)X3(D4)S1(Y12)S2(Z) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.BD. | Vrančiceite | Cu10Hg3S8 |
| 2.BD. | 'UM2004-33-S:AgCuHgSe' | (Ag,Cu)8Hg3(S,Se)7 |
| 2.BD.05 | Imiterite | Ag2HgS2 |
| 2.BD.10 | Gortdrumite | Cu24Fe2Hg9S23 |
| 2.BD.15 | Balkanite | Cu9Ag5HgS8 |
| 2.BD.20 | Donharrisite | Ni3HgS3 |
| 2.BD.25 | Carlinite | Tl2S |
| 2.BD.30 | Bukovite | (Cu3Fe)Σ4Tl2Se4 |
| 2.BD.30 | Thalcusite | Tl2Cu3FeS4 |
| 2.BD.30 | Murunskite | K2(Cu,Fe)4S4 |
| 2.BD.35 | Rohaite | (Tl,Pb,K)2Cu8.7Sb2S4 |
| 2.BD.40 | Chalcothallite | Tl2(Cu,Fe)6SbS4 |
| 2.BD.45 | Sabatierite | TlCu6Se4 |
| 2.BD.50 | Crookesite | Cu7(Tl, Ag)Se4 |
| 2.BD.55 | Brodtkorbite | Cu2HgSe2 |
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.
Internet Links for Danielsite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1219.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
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References for Danielsite
Localities for Danielsite
Showing 8 localities.
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.
Australia (TL) | |
| Nickel (1987) |
Austria | |
| CD with abstracts +3 other references |
Belgium | |
| perso.infonie.be (2004) |
China | |
| LIU et al. (2021) |
Czech Republic | |
| Pažout et al. (2026) |
| Dolníček et al. (2024) |
Poland | |
| Krzeminski (2015, August) |
Switzerland | |
| Ansermet et al. (2024) |
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Coppin Pool, Tom Price, Ashburton Shire, Western Australia, Australia