Laurelite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Laurelite
View of the Grand Reef looking up Laurel Creek
Grand Reef Mine, Laurel Canyon, Grand Reef Mountain, Klondyke, Aravaipa Mining District, Graham County, Arizona, USA
Grand Reef Mine, Laurel Canyon, Grand Reef Mountain, Klondyke, Aravaipa Mining District, Graham County, Arizona, USA
Formula:
Pb7F12Cl2
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Silky
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
7.65
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named in 1989 by A.R. Kampf, P.J. Dunn, and E.E. Foord for Laurel Canyon that includes the type locality.
This page provides mineralogical data about Laurelite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2342
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2342:5
IMA Classification of Laurelite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Pb2+7F12Cl2
Approval year:
1988
First published:
1989
Classification of Laurelite
3.DC.20
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
C : With Pb (As,Sb,Bi), without Cu
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
C : With Pb (As,Sb,Bi), without Cu
9.2.10.1
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
2 : AX2
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
2 : AX2
8.8.3
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
8 : Halides of Pb
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
8 : Halides of Pb
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lrl | 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 Laurelite
Silky
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
{0001} imperfect
{0001} imperfect
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
7.65(5) g/cm3 (Measured) 7.77 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Calculated from formula and structure in Merlino et al. (1996)
Optical Data of Laurelite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.903 nε = 1.946
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.043
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Chemistry of Laurelite
Mindat Formula:
Pb7F12Cl2
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Laurelite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6 - Trigonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P6
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.267(1) Å, c = 3.9844(4) Å
α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 120°
α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 120°
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.388
Unit Cell V:
363.73 ų
Z:
1
Morphology:
Felted aggregates of acicular prisms. Prismatic parallel to [001] with basal {001} terminations.
Twinning:
Twinned by rotation around [001]
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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
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
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0018359 | Laurelite | Merlino S, Pasero M, Perchiazzi N, Kampf A R (1996) Laurelite: Its crystal structure and relationship to alpha-PbF2 it was twinned, and the partially occupied sites were relicts. American Mineralogist 81 1277-1281 |  | 1996 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001838 | Laurelite | Merlino S, Pasero M, Perchiazzi N, Kampf A R (1996) Laurelite: Its crystal structure and relationship to alpha-PbF2 American Mineralogist 81 1277-1281 | | 1996 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.33 Å | (100) |
| 1.934 Å | (60) |
| 3.125 Å | (40) |
| 2.949 Å | (40) |
| 1.709 Å | (40) |
| 1.282 Å | (40) |
| 2.090 Å | (35) |
Comments:
Grand Reef mine, Arizona, USA. Data from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Laurelite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Needles up to 10x0.05 mm, but most needles are much thinner and are typically grouped in parallel bundles. Also in loose jackstraw-fashion.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Los Angeles, California, USA, 33608.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 166057.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 166057.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Epithermal lead-copper-silver deposit, hosted by a silicified breccia.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Laurelite
Other Language Names for Laurelite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.DC. | Gajardoite | KCa0.5As3+4O6Cl2 · 5H2O |
| 3.DC. | Lucabindiite | (K,NH4)As4O6(Cl,Br) |
| 3.DC. | Cuatrocapaite-(NH4) | (NH4)3(NaMg◻)(As2O3)6Cl6 · 16H2O |
| 3.DC. | Cuatrocapaite-(K) | K3(NaMg◻)(As2O3)6Cl6 · 16H2O |
| 3.DC. | Napoliite | Pb2OFCl |
| 3.DC. | Torrecillasite | Na(As,Sb)3+4O6Cl |
| 3.DC.05 | Paralaurionite | PbCl(OH) |
| 3.DC.05 | Laurionite | PbCl(OH) |
| 3.DC.05 | Mauriziodiniite | (NH4)(As2O3)2I |
| 3.DC.05 | Russoite | (NH4)ClAs2O3(H2O)0.5 |
| 3.DC.10 | Fiedlerite | Pb3FCl4(OH) · H2O |
| 3.DC.15 | Penfieldite | Pb2Cl3(OH) |
| 3.DC.15 | Telluroperite | Pb3TeO4Cl2 |
| 3.DC.25 | Zhangpeishanite | BaFCl |
| 3.DC.25 | Matlockite | PbFCl |
| 3.DC.25 | Zavaritskite | (BiO)F |
| 3.DC.25 | Rorisite | CaFCl |
| 3.DC.25 | Bismoclite | BiOCl |
| 3.DC.25 | Vegrandisite | BaCl2 |
| 3.DC.30 | Nadorite | PbSbClO2 |
| 3.DC.30 | Perite | PbBiClO2 |
| 3.DC.40 | Thorikosite | Pb3Cl2(OH)(SbO3,AsO3) |
| 3.DC.45 | Mereheadite | Pb47Cl25(OH)13O24(CO3)(BO3)2 |
| 3.DC.50 | Blixite | Pb8O5(OH)2Cl4 |
| 3.DC.52 | Rumseyite | Pb2OClF |
| 3.DC.55 | Vladkrivovichevite | [Pb32O18][Pb4Mn2O]Cl14(BO3)8 · 2H2O |
| 3.DC.55 | Pinalite | Pb3WO5Cl2 |
| 3.DC.57 | Yeomanite | Pb2O(OH)Cl |
| 3.DC.60 | Symesite | Pb10(SO4)O7Cl4 · H2O |
| 3.DC.60 | 'Lorettoite' | Pb7O6Cl2 |
| 3.DC.62 | 'Sarawakite (of Frenzel)' | Sb, O, Cl (?) |
| 3.DC.65 | Ecdemite | Pb6As3+2O7Cl4 |
| 3.DC.70 | Mendipite | Pb3Cl2O2 |
| 3.DC.75 | Damaraite | Pb3Cl(OH)O2 |
| 3.DC.80 | Onoratoite | Sb8Cl2O11 |
| 3.DC.95 | Barstowite | Pb4Cl6(CO3) · H2O |
Fluorescence of Laurelite
Not fluorescent
Other Information
Notes:
Decomposes rapidly in cold 1:1 HCl and dissolves very slowly in cold water.
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 Laurelite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2342.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Laurelite
Reference List:
Kampf, Anthony R., Dunn, Pete J., Foord, Eugene E. (1989) Grandreefite, pseudograndreefite, laurelite, and aravaipaite: Four new minerals from the Grand Reef mine, Graham County, Arizona. American Mineralogist, 74 (7-8) 927-933
Localities for Laurelite
Showing 8 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.
Germany | |
| Stoya et al. (02/2021) |
Greece | |
| lavrion.gr (2026) |
| Wendel et al. (1999) |
Italy | |
| Parola et al. (2023) +1 other reference |
| Zordan et al. (2011) |
| Zordan et al. (2011) | |
| Bortolozzi (n.d.) | |
USA (TL) | |
| Kampf et al. (1989) +2 other references |
Quick NavTopAbout LaureliteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany