Lapieite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Lapieite
Lapie River, Yukon, Canada
Formula:
NiCuSbS3
Colour:
Gray
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
4½ - 5
Specific Gravity:
4.966 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named after the type locality the Lapie River, St. Cyr Ranges, Yukon Territory, Canada. It is pronounced la-pee-ait.
This page provides mineralogical data about Lapieite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2329
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2329:6
Similar Names
| Lippite | A synonym of Millosevichite | |
| Lipuite | A valid IMA mineral species | KNa8Mn53+ Mg0.5[Si12O30(OH)4](PO4)O2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
IMA Classification of Lapieite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu1+Ni2+Sb3+S2-3
Approval year:
1983
First published:
1984
Classification of Lapieite
2.GA.25
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
A : Neso-sulfarsenites, etc. without additional S
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
A : Neso-sulfarsenites, etc. without additional S
3.4.4.1
3 : SULFOSALTS
4 : ø = 3
3 : SULFOSALTS
4 : ø = 3
5.8.17
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
8 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Mn, Fe, Co and Ni
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
8 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Mn, Fe, Co and 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lap | 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 Lapieite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Gray
Hardness:
4½ - 5 on Mohs scale
Comment:
Polishing hardness
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
Parallel to [100]
Parallel to [100]
Density:
4.966 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Lapieite
Anisotropism:
Strong, very pale blue to intense yellowish pink rotation-tints
Bireflectance:
Moderate
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 33.4% | 32.1% |
| 420nm | 34.0% | 32.2% |
| 440nm | 34.6% | 32.5% |
| 460nm | 34.9% | 33.3% |
| 480nm | 34.8% | 34.5% |
| 500nm | 34.5% | 35.8% |
| 520nm | 34.1% | 36.5% |
| 540nm | 33.9% | 36.8% |
| 560nm | 34.1% | 36.7% |
| 580nm | 34.3% | 36.7% |
| 600nm | 34.3% | 36.8% |
| 620nm | 34.4% | 37.0% |
| 640nm | 34.8% | 37.3% |
| 660nm | 35.6% | 37.8% |
| 680nm | 36.6% | 38.6% |
| 700nm | 37.8% | 39.5% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 39.5%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Shades of greenish grey to grey
Chemistry of Lapieite
Mindat Formula:
NiCuSbS3
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Fe,As
Crystallography of Lapieite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
222 - Disphenoidal
Space Group:
P212121
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.422(2) Å, b = 12.508(3) Å, c = 4.900(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.593 : 1 : 0.392
Unit Cell V:
454.9 ų
Z:
4
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.178 Å | (90) |
| 2.959 Å | (100) |
| 1.855 Å | (60) |
| 1.837 Å | (90) |
| 1.601 Å | (30) |
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 Lapieite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Anhedral to subhedral grains to 150 µm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Mineral Collection, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, catalogue numbers 63844, 63845 and 63846.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Glacial erratic of highly metamorphosed rock containing sulfide minerals.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Lapieite
Other Language Names for Lapieite
Relationship of Lapieite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Lapieite Group:
| Lisiguangite | PtCuBiS3 | Orth. 222 : P212121 |
| Malyshevite | PdCuBiS3 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmm |
| Mückeite | NiCu(Bi,Sb)S3 | Orth. 222 : P212121 |
| Roterbärite | PdBiCuSe3 | Orth. 222 : P212121 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Lapieite associated with Magnesite | MgCO3 |
| 1 photo of Lapieite associated with Mica Group |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.GA. | Pyradoketosite | Ag3SbS3 |
| 2.GA. | Arsiccioite | AgHg2Tl(As,Sb)2S6 |
| 2.GA. | Eckerite | Ag2CuAsS3 |
| 2.GA.05 | Proustite | Ag3AsS3 |
| 2.GA.05 | Pyrargyrite | Ag3SbS3 |
| 2.GA.10 | Xanthoconite | Ag3AsS3 |
| 2.GA.10 | Pyrostilpnite | Ag3SbS3 |
| 2.GA.15 | Samsonite | Ag4MnSb2S6 |
| 2.GA.20 | Bytízite | Cu3SbSe3 |
| 2.GA.20 | Skinnerite | Cu3SbS3 |
| 2.GA.20 | Wittichenite | Cu3BiS3 |
| 2.GA.25 | Lisiguangite | PtCuBiS3 |
| 2.GA.25 | Malyshevite | PdCuBiS3 |
| 2.GA.25 | Roterbärite | PdBiCuSe3 |
| 2.GA.25 | Mückeite | NiCu(Bi,Sb)S3 |
| 2.GA.30 | Aktashite | Cu6Hg3As4S12 |
| 2.GA.30 | Nowackiite | Cu6Zn3As4S12 |
| 2.GA.30 | Zhengminghuaite | Cu6Fe3As4S12 |
| 2.GA.30 | Gruzdevite | Cu6Hg3Sb4S12 |
| 2.GA.35 | Laffittite | AgHgAsS3 |
| 2.GA.40 | 'Unnamed (Ag-Fe endmember of Routhierite Group)' | AgFe2TlAs2S6 |
| 2.GA.40 | Routhierite | Tl(Cu,Ag)(Hg,Zn)2(As,Sb)2S6 |
| 2.GA.40 | Stalderite | Tl(Cu,Ag)(Zn,Fe,Hg)2(As,Sb)2S6 |
| 2.GA.40 | Ralphcannonite | AgZn2TlAs2S6 |
| 2.GA.40 | Ferrostalderite | CuFe2TlAs2S6 |
| 2.GA.45 | Erniggliite | Tl2SnAs2S6 |
| 2.GA.50 | Cerromojonite | CuPbBiSe3 |
| 2.GA.50 | Seligmannite | PbCuAsS3 |
| 2.GA.50 | Součekite | CuPbBi(S,Se)3 |
| 2.GA.50 | 'Unnamed (Pb-Cu-Bi Selenide)' | PbCuBiSe3 |
| 2.GA.50 | Bournonite | PbCuSbS3 |
| 2.GA.55 | Eldragónite | Cu6BiSe4(Se2) |
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 Lapieite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2329.html
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References for Lapieite
Reference List:
Harris, D. C., Roberts, A. C., Thorpe, R. I., Jonasson, I. R., Criddle, A. J. (1984) Lapieite CuNiSbS3, a new mineral species from the Yukon Territory. The Canadian Mineralogist, 22 (4) 561-564
Localities for Lapieite
Showing 3 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.
Canada (TL) | |
| Harris et al. (1984) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Anthony et al. (1990) |
Quick NavTopAbout LapieiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Lapie River, St Cyr Range, Watson Lake mining district, Yukon, Canada