Ludlockite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Ludlockite
Formula:
PbFe3+4As3+10O22
Originally given as (Fe,Pb)As2O6.
Colour:
Orange Red, orange brown
Lustre:
Greasy, Silky
Hardness:
1½ - 2
Specific Gravity:
4.33 - 4.40
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named for Frederick Ludlow Smith III (13 August 1939 - 20 December 2014) and Charles Locke Key (1935-2021), mineral dealers who discovered the mineral and provided the first specimens for study (Frederick Ludlow Smith and Charles Locke Key). Mr. Key also has the mineral keyite named after him.
Note: "ludlockite" from Zarehehuran, Takap, Takht-e-Suleiman massif, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran, turned out to be the new mineral daliranite.
Visually similar to karibibite.
Visually similar to karibibite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2453
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2453:8
IMA Classification of Ludlockite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Pb2+Fe3+4As3+10O22
Approval year:
1969
First published:
1970
Classification of Ludlockite
4.JA.45
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
A : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites; without additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
A : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites; without additional anions, without H2O
45.1.14.1
45 : ACID AND NORMAL ANTIMONITES AND ARSENITES
1 : Miscellaneous
45 : ACID AND NORMAL ANTIMONITES AND ARSENITES
1 : Miscellaneous
20.5.10
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
5 : Arsenates of Ti and Pb
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
5 : Arsenates of Ti and 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ldl | 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 Ludlockite
Greasy, Silky
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Orange Red, orange brown
Streak:
Light brown
Hardness:
1½ - 2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Sectile
Cleavage:
Perfect
{011}, {0kl}
{011}, {0kl}
Fracture:
None observed
Density:
4.33 - 4.40 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.58 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ludlockite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.96 nβ = 2.055 nγ = 2.11
Birefringence:
0.15
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.150
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:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (109°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (109°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X yellow; Y deep yellow; Z orange yellow
Chemistry of Ludlockite
Mindat Formula:
PbFe3+4As3+10O22
Originally given as (Fe,Pb)As2O6.
Originally given as (Fe,Pb)As2O6.
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Ludlockite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.41 Å, b = 11.95 Å, c = 9.86 Å
α = 113.9°, β = 99.7°, γ = 82.7°
α = 113.9°, β = 99.7°, γ = 82.7°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.871 : 1 : 0.825
Unit Cell V:
1,103.02 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
9
Morphology:
Hair-like crystals
Twinning:
Lamellar twinning on {011}, common.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
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Labels
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005479 | Ludlockite | Cooper M A, Hawthorne F C (1996) The crystal structure of ludlockite, PbFe4As10O22, the mineral with pentameric arsenite groups and orange hair The Canadian Mineralogist 34 79-89 |  | 1996 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.90 Å | (60) |
| 8.81 Å | (100) |
| 4.74 Å | (60) |
| 4.47 Å | (60) |
| 3.330 Å | (70) |
| 3.160 Å | (70) |
| 2.935 Å | (90) |
| 2.863 Å | (70) |
Comments:
29-774
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 46 : Near-surface hydrothermal alteration of minerals (see also #22) | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Ludlockite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1969, 215 and 216; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 127927.
Synonyms of Ludlockite
Other Language Names for Ludlockite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 52 photos of Ludlockite associated with Leiteite | Zn(As2O4) |
| 33 photos of Ludlockite associated with Germanite | Cu13Fe2Ge2S16 |
| 18 photos of Ludlockite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 12 photos of Ludlockite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 11 photos of Ludlockite associated with Stottite | Fe2+[Ge4+(OH)6] |
| 7 photos of Ludlockite associated with Schaurteite | Ca3Ge(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 6 photos of Ludlockite associated with Tennantite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S |
| 6 photos of Ludlockite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Ludlockite associated with Berthierine | (Fe2+,Fe3+,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 |
| 5 photos of Ludlockite associated with Chalcocite | Cu2S |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JA.05 | Leiteite | Zn(As2O4) |
| 4.JA.10 | Reinerite | Zn3(AsO3)2 |
| 4.JA.15 | Karibibite | Fe3+3(As3+O2)4(As3+2O5)(OH) |
| 4.JA.20 | Manganoschafarzikite | MnSb2O4 |
| 4.JA.20 | Trippkeite | Cu2+As3+2O4 |
| 4.JA.20 | Schafarzikite | Fe2+Sb3+2O4 |
| 4.JA.20 | Kusachiite | CuBi2O4 |
| 4.JA.20 | Igelströmite | Fe3+(Sb3+Pb2+)O4 |
| 4.JA.25 | Apuanite | Fe2+Fe3+4Sb3+4O12S |
| 4.JA.30 | Versiliaite | Fe2Fe4Sb6O16S |
| 4.JA.35 | Schneiderhöhnite | Fe2+Fe3+3As3+5O13 |
| 4.JA.40 | Zimbabweite | (Na,K)2PbAs4(Ta,Nb,Ti)4O18 |
| 4.JA.50 | Paulmooreite | Pb2[As2O5] |
| 4.JA.55 | Stibivanite | Sb2VO5 |
| 4.JA.60 | Chadwickite | (UO2)[HAsO3] |
Fluorescence of Ludlockite
Not fluorescent
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 Ludlockite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2453.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 Ludlockite
Reference List:
Embrey, Peter G., Hey, Max H., Davis, Richard J. (1977) Ludlockite: a New Mineral from Tsumeb, in Tsumeb!. The Mineralogical Record, 8 (3) 91-94
Localities for Ludlockite
Showing 23 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 | |
| Ronald G. Simpson (2017) +1 other reference |
Austria | |
| Blaß (1999) +1 other reference |
Belgium | |
| Jeroen Goedhart Collection |
Chile | |
| collected and analysed by french ... |
| Confirmed and analysed by PXRD by Dr. Tony Kampf (Curator of NHM of LA - USA) | |
| SEM-EDS and XRD by Joy Desor and ... |
France | |
| |
Greece | |
| Fritz Schreiber collection (PXRD-analysed by Uwe Kolitsch) |
| Steve Rust collection |
| Hochleitner et al. (1986) | |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) | |
Iran | |
| rruff.geo.arizona.edu (2006) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Int. Assoc. of Collectors of Slag Minerals (2) |
| Jansen et al. (1998) |
| Cerutti et al. (1995) |
Japan | |
| Specimens on sale at Osaka show |
Mexico | |
| Peter Megaw |
Namibia (TL) | |
| Rocks & Minerals: 62: 440. +5 other references |
South Africa | |
| Robert O. Meyer collection +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Specimen collected in 2023 by Francisco ... |
| Van den Berg et al. (2020) |
Quick NavTopAbout LudlockiteUnique 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
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia