Leadamalgam
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Leadamalgam
Formula:
Pb0.7Hg0.3
Analysis corresponds to HgPb2. Crystallographic unit cell has 1 atom per lattice point, implying disordered Pb and Hg in approximate 2:1 ratio.
Colour:
Grey-white
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
1½
Specific Gravity:
11.96 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Named for the composition, an alloy of mercury and lead.
This page provides mineralogical data about Leadamalgam.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2360
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2360:9
IMA Classification of Leadamalgam
Classification of Leadamalgam
1.AD.30
1 : ELEMENTS (Metals and intermetallic alloys; metalloids and nonmetals; carbides, silicides, nitrides, phosphides)
A : Metals and Intermetallic Alloys
D : Mercury-amalgam family
1 : ELEMENTS (Metals and intermetallic alloys; metalloids and nonmetals; carbides, silicides, nitrides, phosphides)
A : Metals and Intermetallic Alloys
D : Mercury-amalgam family
Dana 7th ed.:
1.1.14.1
1.1.10.1
1 : NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS
1 : Metals, other than the Platinum Group
1 : NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS
1 : Metals, other than the Platinum Group
1.32
1 : Elements and Alloys (including the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au)
1 : Elements and Alloys (including the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lam | 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 Leadamalgam
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Grey-white
Hardness:
1½ on Mohs scale
Density:
11.96 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Leadamalgam
Colour in reflected light:
White to yellowish-white
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Weak bluish grey to pale bluish grey pleochroism.
Chemistry of Leadamalgam
Mindat Formula:
Pb0.7Hg0.3
Analysis corresponds to HgPb2. Crystallographic unit cell has 1 atom per lattice point, implying disordered Pb and Hg in approximate 2:1 ratio.
Analysis corresponds to HgPb2. Crystallographic unit cell has 1 atom per lattice point, implying disordered Pb and Hg in approximate 2:1 ratio.
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Leadamalgam
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
I4/mmm
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.545(16) Å, c = 4.525(20) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.276
Unit Cell V:
56.87 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 1.49 Å | (very strong) |
| 1.40 Å | (very strong) |
| 2.49 Å | (moderate) |
| 2.25 Å | (moderate) |
| 1.78 Å | (moderate) |
| 1.68 Å | (moderate) |
| 2.78 Å | (weak) |
Comments:
Xiaonanshan Cu-Ni-(Pt-Pd) deposit, Inner Mongolia, China. The data are from the type description.
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 Leadamalgam
General Appearance of Type Material:
A single grain with a maximum dimension of 50 microns.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum for Geology, Beijing, China, number M09333 (type).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Heavy concentrates from a platinum-bearing Cu-Ni-sulfide deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Leadamalgam
Other Language Names for Leadamalgam
German:Bleiamalgam
Altmarkit
Altmarkit
Spanish:Altmarkita
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 1.AD. | Aurihydrargyrumite | Au6Hg5 |
| 1.AD.05 | Native Mercury | Hg |
| 1.AD.10 | Belendorffite | Cu7Hg6 |
| 1.AD.10 | Kolymite | Cu7Hg6 |
| 1.AD.15a | Paraschachnerite | Ag3Hg2 |
| 1.AD.15c | Eugenite | Ag11Hg2 |
| 1.AD.15b | Luanheite | Ag3Hg |
| 1.AD.15a | Schachnerite | Ag1.1Hg0.9 |
| 1.AD.15d | Moschellandsbergite | Ag2Hg3 |
| 1.AD.20b | 'Goldamalgam (of Chen et al.)' | (Au,Ag)Hg |
| 1.AD.20a | Weishanite | (Au,Ag,Hg) |
| 1.AD.20c | 'Yiyangite' | Au3Hg |
| 1.AD.25 | Potarite | PdHg |
| 1.AD.35 | Shosanbetsuite | Ag3Sn |
| 1.AD.40 | 'Unnamed (Au-Hg Amalgam)' | Au2Hg |
Other Information
Notes:
Not soluble in HCl, H2SO4 or HNO3.
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 Leadamalgam
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2360.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Leadamalgam
Localities for Leadamalgam
Showing 4 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 (TL) | |
| Chen Keqiao et al. (1981) |
Germany | |
| Kaemmel et al. (1977) +1 other reference |
Mexico | |
| Braith et al. (2001) |
| Jeff Weissman photo. Excalibur mineral ... |
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Salzwedel, Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany