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Gallite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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06157130017360473694823.jpg
Gallite, etc.

Kipushi Mine, Kipushi, Kipushi Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo
08447910017272008146345.jpg
Gallite, etc.

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
01196320017360473707964.jpg
Gallite, etc.

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
05519760017864942454743.jpg
Gallite, etc.

Kipushi Mine, Kipushi, Kipushi Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo
04684590017866684434358.jpg
Gallite, etc.

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
01196320017360473707964.jpg
Gallite, etc.

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
08507320017360473714412.jpg
Gallite, etc.

Kipushi Mine, Kipushi, Kipushi Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo
08447910017272008146345.jpg
Gallite, etc.

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
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About GalliteHide

Formula:
CuGaS2
Colour:
Grey
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
4.2
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
For the gallium content.
Chalcopyrite Group.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1644
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1644:1

Similar NamesHide

Ca-illite
CalaiteA synonym of Turquoise
CleîteA synonym of Kaolinite
GaleiteA valid IMA mineral species - grandfatheredNa15(SO4)5F4Cl
Gelite
HalliteA synonym of 'Delessite'
Hallite (of Delamétherie)A synonym of Aluminite
Hallite (of Lévy)A synonym of 'Iron-bearing Magnesite'
KeiliteA valid IMA mineral species(Fe2+,Mg)S
PalliteA synonym of Millisite

IMA Classification of GalliteHide

IMA status:
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu1+Ga3+S2-2
First published:
1958

Classification of GalliteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
2.CB.10a

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
B : With Zn, Fe, Cu, Ag, etc.
Dana 8th ed.:
2.9.1.3

2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:
3.5.18

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 SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
GalIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
GalThe Canadian Mineralogist (2019)The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download

Physical Properties of GalliteHide

Lustre:
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Grey
Streak:
Greyish black
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Density:
4.2 g/cm3 (Measured)    4.35 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of GalliteHide

Anisotropism:
low
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)
400nm20.7%
420nm19.9%
440nm19.4%
460nm18.8%
480nm18.5%
500nm18.1%
520nm17.9%
540nm17.7%
560nm17.5%
580nm17.4%
600nm17.2%
620nm17.1%
640nm17.0%
660nm16.9%
680nm16.8%
700nm16.6%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 20.7%.
Internal Reflections:
None observed

Chemistry of GalliteHide

Mindat Formula:
CuGaS2
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Ga35.321 %
S32.488 %
Cu32.192 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Cu, Ga, S - search for minerals with similar chemistry
Common Impurities:
Pb,Zn,Fe,Ge

Crystallography of GalliteHide

Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
42m - Scalenohedral
Space Group:
I42d
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.360 Å, c = 10.49 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.957
Unit Cell V:
301.37 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Massive, inclusions, exsolved lamellae to 2mm.
Twinning:
Parallel to {112}, {111}

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0015449GalliteBrandt G, Rauber A, Schneider J (1973) ESR and X-ray analysis of the ternary semiconductors CuAlS2, CuInS2, and AgGaS2 Solid State Communications 12 481-4831973Synthetic sample0293
0013004GalliteAbrahams S C, Bernstein J L (1973) Piezoelectric nonlinear optic CuGaS2 and CuInS2 crystal structure: Sublattice distortion in AIBIIIC2VI and AIIBIVC2V type chalcopyrites Journal of Chemical Physics 59 5415-54201973Synthetic sample0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

Epitaxial Relationships of GalliteHide

Epitaxial Minerals:
'Sphalerite'ZnS
Epitaxy Comments:
Gallite exsolves as lamellae || {100} and {111} of sphalerite, and in turn shows exsolution of sphalerite on {001} of gallite.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Loading XRD data...
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.07 Å(100)
1.876 Å(90)
1.610 Å(90)
1.089 Å(90)
1.894 Å(60)
1.215 Å(60)
1.076 Å(60)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere>4.45
12 : Hadean hydrothermal subsurface sulfide deposits (see also #33)
15 : Black/white smoker minerals and other seafloor hydrothermal minerals
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])
Geological Setting:
Base metal deposits with high gallium content.

Type Occurrence of GalliteHide

Co-Type Localities:
ⓘ Kipushi Mine, Kipushi, Kipushi Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo
ⓘ Tsumeb Mine (Ongopolo Mine), Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
General Appearance of Type Material:
Massive, as included grains and exsolution lamellae in other sulfides.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Berlin Technical University, Berlin, Germany, 86/67, 87/564, 396.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
GalenaGermaniteRenieriteSphaleriteTennantite Subgroup

Other Language Names for GalliteHide

Dutch:Galliet
German:Gallit
Russian:Галлит
Simplified Chinese:硫镓铜矿
Spanish:Gallita
Traditional Chinese:硫鎵銅礦

Relationship of Gallite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Chalcopyrite Group
Other Members of Chalcopyrite Group:
ChalcopyriteCuFeS2Tet. 42m : I42d
EskeborniteCuFeSe2Tet. 42m : P42c
LaforêtiteAgInS2Tet. 42m : I42d
LenaiteAgFeS2Tet. 42m : I42d
RoquesiteCuInS2Tet. 42m : I42d
ShenzhuangiteNiFeS2Tet. 42m : I42d
'Unnamed (Cu-Mn-Sn Sulphide)'Cu2MnSnS4

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
34 photos of Gallite associated with GermaniteCu13Fe2Ge2S16
32 photos of Gallite associated with SphaleriteZnS
30 photos of Gallite associated with Renierite(Cu+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16
17 photos of Gallite associated with ChalcociteCu2S
10 photos of Gallite associated with Ovamboite Cu20(Fe,Cu,Zn)6W2Ge6S32
9 photos of Gallite associated with GalenaPbS
9 photos of Gallite associated with Tennantite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S
7 photos of Gallite associated with Tennantite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12S
6 photos of Gallite associated with PyriteFeS2
4 photos of Gallite associated with TsumgalliteGaO(OH)

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.CB.RichardsiteZn2CuGaS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.OkruginiteCu2SnSe3Mon. m : Bb
2.CB.HanswilkeiteKFeS2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
2.CB.AuroselenideAuSeMon. 2/m : B2/m
2.CB.Ruizhongite(Ag2◻)Pb3Ge2S8Iso. 43m : I43d
2.CB.AgmantiniteAg2MnSnS4Orth.
2.CB.TolstykhiteAu3S4Te6Tric. 1 : P1
2.CB.GachingiteAu(Te1-xSex)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.05aHawleyiteCdSIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05'UM1998-15-S:CuFeZn'Cu2Fe3Zn5S10
2.CB.05aColoradoiteHgTeIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aMetacinnabarHgSIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aTiemanniteHgSeIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aSphaleriteZnSIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05bSakuraiite(Cu,Zn,Fe)3(In,Sn)S4 Iso.
2.CB.05cPolhemusite(Zn,Hg)STet.
2.CB.05aRudashevskyite(Fe,Zn)SIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aStilleiteZnSeIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aIshiharaite(Cu,Ga,Fe,In,Zn)SIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.07a'Unnamed (Cu-Mn-Sn Sulphide)'Cu2MnSnS4
2.CB.07aShenzhuangiteNiFeS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10bTalnakhiteCu9(Fe,Ni)8S16Iso. 43m : I43m
2.CB.10bHaycockiteCu4Fe5S8Orth. 222
2.CB.10aLenaiteAgFeS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10aRoquesiteCuInS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10aEskeborniteCuFeSe2Tet. 42m : P42c
2.CB.10a'UM1984-30-S:CuFeSn'Cu2Fe2Sn3S7
2.CB.10cOmariniiteCu8Fe2ZnGe2S12Orth. 222 : I222
2.CB.10aChalcopyriteCuFeS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10a'Unnamed (Cu-Zn-In Sulphide)'CuZn2InS4
2.CB.10bMooihoekiteCu9Fe9S16Tet. 42m : P42m
2.CB.10aLaforêtiteAgInS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10bPutoraniteCu1.1Fe1.2S2Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pn3m
2.CB.15aVelikiteCu2HgSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15c'UM2006-11-S:CuFeGeZn'Cu8(Fe,Zn)3Ge2S12 (?)
2.CB.15aHocartiteAg2(Fe2+,Zn)SnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.15aKësteriteCu2ZnSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15aPirquitasiteAg2ZnSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15aStanniteCu2FeSnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.15cStannoiditeCu+6Cu2+2(Fe2+,Zn)3Sn2S12Orth. 222 : I222
2.CB.15bMohiteCu2SnS3Mon.
2.CB.15aČernýiteCu2CdSnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.15aIdaiteCu5FeS6Hex.
2.CB.15aFerrokësteriteCu2FeSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15aKuramiteCu3SnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.17a v'Arsenic-bearing Renierite'Cu11GeAsFe4S16
2.CB.20MawsoniteCu6Fe2SnS8Tet. 42m : P4m2
2.CB.20ChatkaliteCu6FeSn2S8Tet. 42m : P4m2
2.CB.30'Frieseite'Ag2Fe5S8 (?)
2.CB.30NekrasoviteCu26V2(Sn,As,Sb)6S32Iso. 43m : P43n
2.CB.30'Argyropyrite'near Ag2Fe7S11
2.CB.30MaikainiteCu20(Fe,Cu)6Mo2Ge6S32Iso. m3m(4/m32/m)
2.CB.30ColusiteCu13VAs3S16Iso. 43m : P43n
2.CB.30GermaniteCu13Fe2Ge2S16Iso. 43m : P43n
2.CB.30GermanocolusiteCu26V2(Ge,As)6S32Iso. 43m : P43m
2.CB.30StibiocolusiteCu13V(Sb,Sn,As)3S16Iso. 43m : P43m
2.CB.30Ovamboite Cu20(Fe,Cu,Zn)6W2Ge6S32Iso. 43m : P43n
2.CB.35aMorozeviczite(Pb,Fe)3Ge1-xS4Iso.
2.CB.35aRenierite(Cu+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16Tet. 42m : P42c
2.CB.35aHemusiteCu6SnMoS8Iso.
2.CB.35bCatamarcaiteCu6GeWS8Hex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.35aVincienniteCu+7Cu2+3Fe2+2Fe3+2Sn(As,Sb)S16Tet.
2.CB.35aKiddcreekiteCu6SnWS8Iso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.35aPolkovicite(Fe,Pb)3(Ge,Fe)1-xS4Iso.
2.CB.40LautiteCuAsSOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
2.CB.42LingbaoiteAgTe3Trig. 3m : R3m
2.CB.45CadmoseliteCdSeHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45RambergiteMnSHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45Buseckite(Fe,Zn,Mn)SHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45MaletoyvayamiteAu3Se4Te6Tric. 1 : P1
2.CB.45GreenockiteCdSHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45Wurtzite(Zn,Fe)SHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.47MurchisiteCr5S6Trig. 3m(32/m) : P31c
2.CB.50'Zincselenide'ZnSe
2.CB.50WassoniteTiSTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
2.CB.52'Dzhezkazganite'ReMoCu2PbS6 ?Trig. 3m : R3m
2.CB.55bIsocubaniteCuFe2S3Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
2.CB.55aCubaniteCuFe2S3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.60RaguiniteTlFeS2Orth.
2.CB.60PicotpauliteTlFe2S3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
2.CB.65ArgentopyriteAgFe2S3Mon. 2/m
2.CB.65SternbergiteAgFe2S3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.70SulvaniteCu3VS4Iso. 43m : P43m
2.CB.75VulcaniteCuTeOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.80EmpressiteAgTeOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.85MuthmanniteAuAgTe2Mon. 2/m : P2/m

Other InformationHide

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 GalliteHide

References for GalliteHide

Localities for GalliteHide

Showing 10 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Atlantic Ocean
 
  • Mid-Atlantic Ridge complex
Gablina et al. (2018) +1 other reference
    • Rainbow Massif
Bortnikov et al. (2001)
Bulgaria
 
  • Pazardzhik Province
    • Panagyurishte Municipality
      • Levski
Pavel Kartashov (Mindat message www.mindat.org/mesg-7-84159.html) +3 other references
      • Popintsi
Cook et al. (2002)
  • Sofia Province
    • Chelopech Municipality
Terziev (1966) +1 other reference
Cuba
 
Mineralogical Society of America - ...
DR Congo (TL)
 
  • Haut-Katanga
    • Kipushi Territory
      • Kipushi
Strunz et al. (1958) +4 other references
India
 
  • Jammu and Kashmir
    • Reasi district
Srivastava et al. (2015)
Namibia (TL)
 
  • Oshikoto Region
    • Tsumeb
Strunz et al. (1958)
Romania
 
  • Harghita County
Hirtopanu (2006)
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