Donharrisite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Donharrisite
Don Harris
Formula:
Ni3HgS3
Originally reported as Ni8Hg3S9.
Colour:
Brown
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
7.27 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1990 by Werner Hermann Paar, Tzong T. Chen, Andrew C. Roberts, Alan J. Criddle, and Chris J. Stanley in honor of Donald Clayton Harris (January 3, 1936 - August 22nd, 2024 Ottawa, Canada) mineralogist with the Canadian Geological Survey, for his many contributions to ore mineralogy.
The crystal structure was redefined in 2016 by Bindi & Paar (2016).
The structure is rather complex, as it contains various types of polyhedra, typically for an intermetallic compound. In the structure there are 2 Hg sites, 4 Ni sites and 2 S sites; one of the Hg and one of the Ni sites have 50% occupancy.
The polyhedra are:
- Hg[S6Ni4]
- Hg[S4Ni3]
- Ni[S4Ni2]
- Ni[S3NiHg]
- Ni[S6Ni2Hg2]
- Ni[S4Ni3Hg2]
A typical feature is exceedingly short bond distance in these polyhedra. The structure refined may represent a superposition of various layers of the ordered-disordered structure.
The structure is rather complex, as it contains various types of polyhedra, typically for an intermetallic compound. In the structure there are 2 Hg sites, 4 Ni sites and 2 S sites; one of the Hg and one of the Ni sites have 50% occupancy.
The polyhedra are:
- Hg[S6Ni4]
- Hg[S4Ni3]
- Ni[S4Ni2]
- Ni[S3NiHg]
- Ni[S6Ni2Hg2]
- Ni[S4Ni3Hg2]
A typical feature is exceedingly short bond distance in these polyhedra. The structure refined may represent a superposition of various layers of the ordered-disordered structure.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1308
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1308:2
IMA Classification of Donharrisite
Approved
Approval year:
1987
First published:
1989
Classification of Donharrisite
2.BD.20
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
2.6.6.1
2 : SULFIDES
6 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 4:3
2 : SULFIDES
6 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 4:3
3.11.7
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
11 : Sulphides etc. of Ni
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
11 : Sulphides etc. of Ni
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dhr | 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 Donharrisite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Brown
Streak:
Brownish gray
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN5=47 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {001}
on {001}
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
7.27 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Donharrisite
Anisotropism:
Distinct in grayish colors
Bireflectance:
Weak
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 34.0% | 37.0% |
| 420nm | 34.9% | 37.9% |
| 440nm | 36.2% | 39.3% |
| 460nm | 37.9% | 40.9% |
| 480nm | 39.6% | 42.6% |
| 500nm | 41.3% | 44.2% |
| 520nm | 42.8% | 45.7% |
| 540nm | 44.2% | 47.0% |
| 560nm | 45.4% | 48.3% |
| 580nm | 46.5% | 49.4% |
| 600nm | 47.5% | 50.4% |
| 620nm | 48.4% | 51.2% |
| 640nm | 49.2% | 51.8% |
| 660nm | 49.8% | 52.2% |
| 680nm | 50.4% | 52.6% |
| 700nm | 51.1% | 52.8% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 52.8%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Creamy white with yellowish tint
Internal Reflections:
none
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
It is significant that optically, the only mineral with which donharrisite might be confused is tuceckite although there are differences of dispersion in their reflectances.
Chemistry of Donharrisite
Mindat Formula:
Ni3HgS3
Originally reported as Ni8Hg3S9.
Originally reported as Ni8Hg3S9.
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Donharrisite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.574(3) Å, b = 6.899(2) Å, c = 5.419(1) Å
β = 93.71(2)°
β = 93.71(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.678 : 1 : 0.785
Unit Cell V:
431.8 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Mica like flakes.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.547 Å | (100) |
| 5.75 Å | (70) |
| 5.09 Å | (70) |
| 3.33 Å | (60) |
| 2.683 Å | (60) |
| 3.71 Å | (50) |
| 2.609 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Near Leogang, Austria (some preferred orientation).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Type Occurrence of Donharrisite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Mica-like flakes up to 1 mm² by 0.1 mm thick.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The holotype specimen (9x7x2.5 cm, and weighing 276 g) plus several tiny chips in the Landesmuseum Joanneum in Graz. Fragments at University of Salzburg; British Museum of Natural History; Royal Ontario Museum; and Geological Survey of Canada.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Faulted dolostone stratabound carbonate-hosted Pb-Ag-Hg ore.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Donharrisite
Other Language Names for Donharrisite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Donharrisite associated with Native Mercury | Hg |
| 2 photos of Donharrisite associated with Cinnabar | HgS |
| 1 photo of Donharrisite associated with Metacinnabar | HgS |
| 1 photo of Donharrisite associated with Millerite | NiS |
| 1 photo of Donharrisite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
| 1 photo of Donharrisite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
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 | Danielsite | (Cu,Ag)14HgS8 |
| 2.BD.15 | Balkanite | Cu9Ag5HgS8 |
| 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 Donharrisite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1308.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Donharrisite
Reference List:
Localities for Donharrisite
Showing 4 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.
Austria (TL) | |
| Paar et al. (1989) |
Spain | |
| Sainz de Baranda Graf et al. (2019) |
| Joan Abella i Creus: ... +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Dunning +1 other reference |
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El Entredicho Mine, Almadenejos, Ciudad Real, Castile-La Mancha, Spain