Girdite
A discredited species name
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Girdite
Richard Gird
Formula:
H2Pb3(Te4+O3)(Te6+O6)
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Dull
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
5.5
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For Richard Gird (1836-1910), mining engineer and discoverer of the Tombstone district.
First Recorded Locality:
Discredited by IMA in 2016 (Proposal 16-G).
The powder X-ray diffraction pattern of ottoite is very similar to that reported for girdite. Reinvestigation of type material shows that the original description of girdite was based upon data obtained from at least two and possibly three different phases, one corresponding to ottoite and another probably corresponding to oboyerite, although the latter itself appears to be a mixture (Kampf et al., 2017).
The powder X-ray diffraction pattern of ottoite is very similar to that reported for girdite. Reinvestigation of type material shows that the original description of girdite was based upon data obtained from at least two and possibly three different phases, one corresponding to ottoite and another probably corresponding to oboyerite, although the latter itself appears to be a mixture (Kampf et al., 2017).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1699
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1699:1
Similar Names
| Airdite | A valid IMA mineral species | Sr(V4+O)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| Giraudite-(Zn) | A valid IMA mineral species | Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4Se12Se |
IMA Classification of Girdite
Discredited
Approval year:
1979
Approval history:
Discredited in 2016 (Proposal 16-G): The original description of girdite was based on data obtained from at least two and probably more different phases, among which are oboyerite and ottoite (Kampf et al., 2017).
Classification of Girdite
4.JL.30
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
L : Tellurites with additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
L : Tellurites with additional anions, without H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
33.3.3.1
33.3.3.1
33 : SELENATES AND TELLURATES
3 : Compound Selenates and Tellurates
33 : SELENATES AND TELLURATES
3 : Compound Selenates and Tellurates
28.4.7
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
4 : Tellurates
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
4 : Tellurates
Physical Properties of Girdite
Dull
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Chalky in aggregates
Colour:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Density:
5.5(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 5.49 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Girdite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 2.44 nβ = 2.47 nγ = 2.48
2V:
Measured: 70° , Calculated: 58°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.040
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Chemistry of Girdite
Mindat Formula:
H2Pb3(Te4+O3)(Te6+O6)
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Girdite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
m - Domatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.241 Å, b = 5.686 Å, c = 8.719 Å
β = 91.68°
β = 91.68°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.098 : 1 : 1.533
Unit Cell V:
309.27 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Dense spherules, bow-tie aggregates of tapered prismatic crystals.
Twinning:
Complex twins noted.
Comment:
Class is questionable
First Recorded Occurrence of Girdite
Place of Conservation of First Recorded Material:
Natural History Museum, London 1980,539
Geological Setting of First Recorded Material:
Fracture coating in oxidized tellurite and tellurate ores.
Synonyms of Girdite
Other Language Names for Girdite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Girdite associated with Chlorargyrite | AgCl |
| 4 photos of Girdite associated with Jarosite | KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 2 photos of Girdite associated with Wulfenite | Pb(MoO4) |
| 2 photos of Girdite associated with Schieffelinite | Pb10Te6+6O20(OH)14(SO4)(H2O)5 |
| 1 photo of Girdite associated with Dugganite | Pb3Zn3(AsO4)2(TeO6) |
| 1 photo of Girdite associated with Rodalquilarite | Fe2(TeO2OH)3(TeO3)Cl |
| 1 photo of Girdite associated with Ottoite | Pb2TeO5 |
| 1 photo of Girdite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JL. | Chorążewiczite | Pb2Fe3+(Te6+O6)(HCO3) |
| 4.JL. | Tomiolloite | Al12(Te4+O3)5[(SO3)0.5(SO4)0.5](OH)24 |
| 4.JL.05 | Rodalquilarite | Fe2(TeO2OH)3(TeO3)Cl |
| 4.JL.10 | Mackayite | Fe3+(Te4+2O5)(OH) |
| 4.JL.15 | Mroseite | CaTe4+(CO3)O2 |
| 4.JL.20 | Pingguite | Bi6Te2O15 |
| 4.JL.25 | Tlapallite | (Ca,Pb)3CaCu6[Te4+3Te6+O12]2(Te4+O3)2(SO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.JL.40 | Bodieite | Bi2(TeO3)2(SO4) |
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 Girdite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1699.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Girdite
Reference List:
Williams, S. A. (1979) Girdite, oboyerite, fairbankite, and winstanleyite, four new tellurium minerals from Tombstone, Arizona. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (328) 453-457 doi:10.1180/minmag.1979.043.328.01
Localities for Girdite
Showing 6 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.
China | |
| Wang et al. (2019) |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Thorne (n.d.) | |
| Williams (1980) | |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
Grand Central Mine, Contention-Grand Central Mine group, Tombstone Mining District, Cochise County, Arizona, USA