Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Azurite vs. Smithsonite
It's carbonate-vs-carbonate to kick off Mineral Cup 2026 with copper-rich Azurite against zinc-rich Smithsonite.
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Imhofite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
05837780017271923892156.jpg
Imhofite

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
06472810017271923927985.jpg
Imhofite, etc.

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
01504530017271923984818.jpg
Imhofite

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
05742260017864941741238.jpg
Imhofite

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
06472810017271923927985.jpg
Imhofite, etc.

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
01504530017271923984818.jpg
Imhofite

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
05837780017271923892156.jpg
Imhofite

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
06472810017271923927985.jpg
Imhofite, etc.

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About ImhofiteHide

Formula:
Tl5.8As15.4S26
Colour:
Copper-red
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
4.39 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For the professional mineral collector Joseph Imhof (1902 - 16 June 1969), Binn, Binn valley, Switzerland.
May be confused with some habits of lengenbachite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
2019
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2019:6

IMA Classification of ImhofiteHide

IMA status:
Approved
IMA Formula:
Tl1+5.8As3+15.4S2-26
First published:
1965

Classification of ImhofiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
2.HD.30

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
H : Sulfosalts of SnS archetype
D : With Tl
Dana 8th ed.:
3.5.11.1

3 : SULFOSALTS
5 : 2.5 < ø < 3
Hey's CIM Ref.:
5.5.3

5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
5 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Tl

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
ImhIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of ImhofiteHide

Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Copper-red
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=38 - Vickers
Density:
4.39 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Could not be measured.

Optical Data of ImhofiteHide

Anisotropism:
Very strong
Colour in reflected light:
Light pure white, somewhat cream-colored compared to galena
Internal Reflections:
Strong, bright-red

Chemistry of ImhofiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Tl5.8As15.4S26
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Tl37.361 %
As36.364 %
S26.275 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
As, S, Tl - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of ImhofiteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.755(5) Å, b = 24.425(15) Å, c = 5.739(3) Å
β = 108.28(9)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.358 : 1 : 0.235
Unit Cell V:
1,165.30 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Comment:
Setting P21/n.

Crystal StructureHide

Load
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
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File    Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0010785ImhofiteDivjakovic V, Nowacki W (1976) Die kristallstruktur von imhofit, Tl5.6As15S25.3 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 144 323-3331976synthetic0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.675 Å(100)
2.88 Å(90)
3.96 Å(70)
3.67 Å(65)
4.10 Å(40)
3.58 Å(40)
3.18 Å(40)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])

Type Occurrence of ImhofiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
General Appearance of Type Material:
Thin translucent copper-red plates (size approx. 0.06 x 0.03 x 0.001 mm) and aggregates.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical-Petrographical Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, L3491-64.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Hydrothermal

Other Language Names for ImhofiteHide

Dutch:Imhofiet
German:Imhofit
Simplified Chinese:硫砷铜铊矿
Spanish:Imhofita

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
10 photos of Imhofite associated with RealgarAs4S4
5 photos of Imhofite associated with OrpimentAs2S3
5 photos of Imhofite associated with PyriteFeS2
5 photos of Imhofite associated with DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
2 photos of Imhofite associated with HutchinsoniteTlPbAs5S9
2 photos of Imhofite associated with RathiteAg2Pb12-xTlx/2As18+x/2S40
1 photo of Imhofite associated with SeligmannitePbCuAsS3
1 photo of Imhofite associated with HatchiteAgTlPbAs2S5
1 photo of Imhofite associated with Lengenbachite Ag4Cu2Pb18As12S39
1 photo of Imhofite associated with Wurtzite(Zn,Fe)S

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.HD.EnneasartoriteTl6Pb32As70S140Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.HD.ShimeniteTl5Sb21-yAsyS34Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.DewititeAgzTl10-x-zPb2xSb42-x-yAsyS68Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.BuyniteTlPb14As17S40Mon. 2 : P21
2.HD.VallouiseiteAg3Tl21.5PbSb63As41.5S170Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.GiuşcăiteAg2Tl4Pb4As20Sb2S40Mon. m
2.HD.BoscardiniteTlPb4(Sb7As2)S18Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.GungeriteTlAs5Sb4S13Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn
2.HD.05eDalnegroite(Tl4Pb2)(As12Sb8)S34Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.05LoránditeTlAsS2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.HD.05WeissbergiteTlSbS2Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.05eChabournéiteAgzTl8-x-zPb4+2xSb40-x-yAsyS68 with 0.00 < x < 0.40(9), 16.15(3)< y < 19.11(10), 0.04(4) < z < 0.11(6)Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.15ChristiteTlHgAsS3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmca
2.HD.15MarkwelchiteTlPbSbS3Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.HD.15RichardsollyiteTlPbAsS3Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.HD.20JankovićiteTl5Sb9(As,Sb)4S22Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.25RebuliteTl5Sb5As8S22Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.HD.35EdenharteritePbTlAs3S6Orth. mm2 : Fdd2
2.HD.40JentschiteTlPbAs2SbS6Mon. 2/m
2.HD.45ProtochabournéiteTl4-xPb2+2xSb20-x-yAsyS34 with 0.02(2) <= x <= 0.34(2), 5.71(9) <= y <= 6.69(9)Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.45HutchinsoniteTlPbAs5S9Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
2.HD.50BernarditeTlAs5S8Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.HD.55SicheriteTlAg2(As,Sb)3S6Orth.
2.HD.55GeueriteAg2Tl4Pb4As22S40Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.HD.60GabrieliteTl6Ag3Cu6(As,Sb)9S21Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.65TsygankoiteMn8Tl8Hg2(Sb21Pb2Tl)S48Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.HD.70DrechsleriteTl4(Sb4-xAsx)S8 (1 < x < 2)Tric. 1 : P1

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 ImhofiteHide

References for ImhofiteHide

Localities for ImhofiteHide

Showing 4 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.
China
 
  • Guizhou
    • Qianxinan
      • Xingren County
        • Huijiabao gold field
Tangfu Xiao (2001)
  • Hunan
    • Changde
      • Shimen Co.
        • Shimen deposit
Dan Topa and Uwe Kolitsch (detailed article on the sulphosalt mineralogy of the Shimen mine is in preparation) +1 other reference
Russia
 
  • Sverdlovsk Oblast
    • Serovsky District
      • Turya river
        • Tur'insk
Plášil et al. (2018) +5 other references
Switzerland (TL)
 
  • Valais
    • Goms
      • Binn
        • Fäld
[MinRec 8:276 +1 other reference
Quick NavTopAbout ImhofiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 1, 2026 16:42:30 Page updated: August 19, 2026 04:03:49
Go to top of page