Diaboleite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Diaboleite
Formula:
Pb2CuCl2(OH)4
Colour:
Blue
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
5.41 - 5.43
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
From Greek διά, "Dia", apart or distinct from, in allusion to its difference from boleite. Diaboléite (with diacritic) has been used, but this is not accepted usage (Burke 2008).
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1276
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1276:4
IMA Classification of Diaboleite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu2+Pb2+2Cl2(OH)4
First published:
1923
Classification of Diaboleite
3.DB.05
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
B : With Pb, Cu, etc.
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
B : With Pb, Cu, etc.
Dana 7th ed.:
10.6.1.1
10.6.1.1
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
6 : AmBn(O,OH)pXq
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
6 : AmBn(O,OH)pXq
8.8.13
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
8 : Halides of Pb
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
8 : Halides of Pb
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dbol | 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 Diaboleite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Blue
Streak:
Blue
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001}, not easy.
On {001}, not easy.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
5.41 - 5.43 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.48 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Diaboleite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.98 nε = 1.85
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.130
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Diaboleite
Mindat Formula:
Pb2CuCl2(OH)4
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Diaboleite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4mm - Ditetragonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P4mm
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.86 Å, c = 5.49 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.937
Unit Cell V:
188.52 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals tabular {001}, with a square outline. The crystals are hemimorphic; the large base is negative; the positive pedion is lacking or is very small with a somewhat curved surface. Subparallel groups of thin plates. Rarely tetragonal prisms.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005469 | Diaboleite | Cooper M A, Hawthorne F C (1995) Diaboleite, Pb2Cu(OH)4Cl2, a defect perovskite structure with stereoactive lone-pair behavior of Pb The Canadian Mineralogist 33 1125-1129 |  | 1995 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.51 Å | (10) |
| 3.305 Å | (9) |
| 2.283 Å | (10) |
| 2.929 Å | (8) |
| 2.580 Å | (9) |
| 1.755 Å | (9) |
| 1.537 Å | (9) |
Type Occurrence of Diaboleite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, number 1923,521.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 94813.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 94813.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidized iron and manganese ores.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Diaboleite
Dutch:Diaboleiet
German:Diaboleit
Russian:Диаболеит
Simplified Chinese:羟氯铜铅矿
Spanish:Diaboleita
Traditional Chinese:羥氯銅鉛礦
Relationship of Diaboleite to other Species
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 58 photos of Diaboleite associated with Wherryite | Pb7Cu2(SO4)4(SiO4)2(OH)2 |
| 50 photos of Diaboleite associated with Leadhillite | Pb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 37 photos of Diaboleite associated with Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 26 photos of Diaboleite associated with Paralaurionite | PbCl(OH) |
| 25 photos of Diaboleite associated with Phosgenite | Pb2CO3Cl2 |
| 22 photos of Diaboleite associated with Hydrocerussite | Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 22 photos of Diaboleite associated with Caledonite | Pb5Cu2(SO4)3(CO3)(OH)6 |
| 21 photos of Diaboleite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 18 photos of Diaboleite associated with Chloroxiphite | Pb3CuO2Cl2(OH)2 |
| 16 photos of Diaboleite associated with Mendipite | Pb3Cl2O2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.DB. | Rickturnerite | Pb7O4[Mg(OH)4](OH)Cl3 |
| 3.DB.10 | Pseudoboleite | Pb31Cu24Cl62(OH)48 |
| 3.DB.15 | Boleite | KPb26Ag9Cu24(OH)48Cl62 |
| 3.DB.20 | Cumengeite | Pb21Cu20Cl42(OH)40 · 6H2O |
| 3.DB.25 | Bideauxite | Pb2AgCl3(F,OH)2 |
| 3.DB.30 | Chloroxiphite | Pb3CuO2Cl2(OH)2 |
| 3.DB.35 | Hematophanite | Pb4Fe3O8(OH,Cl) |
| 3.DB.40 | Parkinsonite | Pb7MoO9Cl2 |
| 3.DB.40 | Janchevite | Pb9V5+(O10.25◻0.75)Cl2.5 |
| 3.DB.40 | Asisite | Pb7SiO9Cl2 |
| 3.DB.45 | Eddavidite | Cu12Pb2O15Br2 |
| 3.DB.45 | Murdochite | Cu12Pb2O15Cl2 |
| 3.DB.50 | Yedlinite | Pb6Cr3+Cl6(O,OH,H2O)8 |
| 3.DB.55 | Siidraite | Pb2Cu(OH)2I3 |
Other Information
Notes:
Completely soluble in nitric acid.
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 Diaboleite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1276.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Diaboleite
Reference List:
Spencer, L. J. (1923) New lead-copper minerals from the Mendip Hills (Somerset) Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 20 (102) 67-92 doi:10.1180/minmag.1923.020.102.01 p.78
Palache, Charles (1941) Diaboleite from Mammoth Mine, Tiger, Arizona. American Mineralogist, 26 (10) 605-612
Winchell, R. E., Wenden, H. E. (1968) Synthesis and study of diaboleïte. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (283) 933-939 doi:10.1180/minmag.1968.283.036.03
Rouse, Roland C. (1971) The crystal chemistry of diaboleite. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 134 (1-6) 69-80 doi:10.1524/zkri.1971.134.16.69
Alun Humphreys, D., Thomas, John H., Williams, Peter A., Symes, Robert F. (1980) The chemical stability of mendipite, diaboleïte, chloroxiphite, and cumengéite, and their relationships to other secondary lead(II) minerals. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (331) 901-904 doi:10.1180/minmag.1980.043.331.13
Cooper, M. A., Hawthorne, F. C. (1995) Diaboleite, Pb2Cu(OH)4Cl2, a defect perovskite structure with stereoactive lone-pair behavior of Pb2+. The Canadian Mineralogist, 33 (5) 1125-1129
Frost, R. L., Williams, P. A., Martens, W. (2003) Raman spectroscopy of the minerals boléite, cumengéite, diaboléte and phosgenite — implications for the analysis of cosmetics of antiquity. Mineralogical Magazine, 67 (1) 103-111 doi:10.1180/0026461036710088
Frost, Ray L, Williams, Peter A (2004) Raman spectroscopy of some basic chloride containing minerals of lead and copper. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 60 (8) 2071-2077 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2003.11.007
Burke, Ernst A. J. (2008) Tidying up mineral names: an IMA-CNMNC scheme for suffixes, hyphens and diacritical marks. The Mineralogical Record, 39 (2) 131-135
Tsirlin, Alexander A., Janson, Oleg, Lebernegg, Stefan, Rosner, Helge (2013) Square-lattice magnetism of diaboleite Pb2Cu(OH)4Cl2. Physical Review B, 87 (6) doi:10.1103/physrevb.87.064404
Localities for Diaboleite
Showing 73 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.
Quick NavTopAbout DiaboleiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionType Occurrence Other LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Mammoth-Saint Anthony Mine, St. Anthony deposit, Tiger, Mammoth Mining District, Pinal County, Arizona, USA