Luanheite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Luanheite
Formula:
Ag3Hg
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
12.5
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
Named for either the Luanhe River basin or the river itself (also spelled the Luan River), in Hebei, China. The basin includes the type locality.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Luanheite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2447
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2447:7
IMA Classification of Luanheite
Approved
Approval year:
1983
First published:
1984
Classification of Luanheite
1.AD.15b
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.:
1.1.11.4
1.1.8.4
1 : NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS
1 : Metals, other than the Platinum Group
1 : NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS
1 : Metals, other than the Platinum Group
1.18
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lua | 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 Luanheite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
White
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=44 - 75 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Malleable
Density:
12.5 g/cm3 (Measured) 12.6 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Luanheite
Anisotropism:
very weak
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 546nm | 64.2% | 70.5% |
| 589nm | 64.9% | 74.0% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 74.0%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
white
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Slight reflection pleochroism from pinkish parallel to the elongation to milky white normal to it.
Chemistry of Luanheite
Mindat Formula:
Ag3Hg
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Co,Cu,Te
Crystallography of Luanheite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.61 Å, c = 10.98 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.661
Unit Cell V:
415.47 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 1.495 Å | (100) |
| 1.204 Å | (90) |
| 2.830 Å | (70) |
| 1.134 Å | (70) |
| 2.000 Å | (60) |
| 1.105 Å | (60) |
| 1.010 Å | (6) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 26 : Hadean detrital minerals | |
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Type Occurrence of Luanheite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Irregular spherical aggregate with a thin black coat-film.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Geological Museum, the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Gold placer deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Luanheite
Other Language Names for Luanheite
Relationship of Luanheite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Silver Amalgam Group:
| Eugenite | Ag11Hg2 | Iso. 43m : I43m |
| Paraschachnerite | Ag3Hg2 | Orth. |
| Schachnerite | Ag1.1Hg0.9 | Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Luanheite associated with Eugenite | Ag11Hg2 |
| 2 photos of Luanheite associated with Galena | PbS |
| 1 photo of Luanheite associated with Kenoargentotetrahedrite-(Zn) | [Ag6]4+(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12◻ |
| 1 photo of Luanheite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 1 photo of Luanheite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 1 photo of Luanheite associated with 'Amalgam' | (Ag,Hg) |
| 1 photo of Luanheite associated with Acanthite | Ag2S |
| 1 photo of Luanheite associated with Bournonite | PbCuSbS3 |
| 1 photo of Luanheite associated with Pyrargyrite | Ag3SbS3 |
| 1 photo of Luanheite associated with Connellite | Cu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O |
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.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.30 | Leadamalgam | Pb0.7Hg0.3 |
| 1.AD.35 | Shosanbetsuite | Ag3Sn |
| 1.AD.40 | 'Unnamed (Au-Hg Amalgam)' | Au2Hg |
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 Luanheite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2447.html
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Luanheite
Reference List:
Hawthorne, Frank C., Burke, Ernst A. J., Ercit, T. Scott, Grew, Edward S., Grice, Joel D., Jambor, John L., Puziewicz, Jacek, Roberts, Andrew C., Vanko, David A. (1988) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 73 (1-2) 189-199
Васильев, В. И. (1992) Твердые природные сплавы системы Ag-Hg. Терминология, фрагменты классификации, описание [Hard natural alloys of the Ag-Hg system. Terminology, classification fragments, description]. СО РАН НИЦ ОИГГМ.
Localities for Luanheite
Showing 21 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.
Argentina | |
| Márquez-Zavalía et al. (2021) |
| Paar et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
Australia | |
| Leverett et al. (2005) |
| Lawrence et al. (1999) |
| Bottrill R.S. (2025) |
Austria | |
| Tropper et al. (2011) |
| Krause et al. (2025) +1 other reference |
Chile | |
| The Stratabound Tuff-hosted Elisa de ... +2 other references |
China (TL) | |
| Shao Dianxin et al. (1984) |
Czech Republic | |
| Dolníček et al. (2019) |
Italy | |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
| Museo di Storia Naturale Aquilegia - ... |
Mexico | |
| Braith et al. (2001) |
Morocco | |
| Barral et al. (2008) |
Russia | |
| Damdinov et al. (2016) |
| www.encyclopedia.com (n.d.) |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
| Háber et al. (SGR) |
Spain | |
| in Spanish version (Revista de Minerales) +1 other reference |
Sweden | |
| Holmgren (2002) |
USA | |
| Quigley +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout LuanheiteUnique IdentifiersIMA 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
Los Bordos Mine, Elisa de Bordos, Pabellón, Tierra Amarilla, Copiapó Province, Atacama, Chile