Paralaurionite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Paralaurionite
Formula:
PbCl(OH)
Colour:
Colourless, white, yellow, violet, green
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
6.15
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
From the Greek for "near", para-, and laurionite, in allusion to its polymorphic relationship to that species.
Dimorph of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3096
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3096:6
IMA Classification of Paralaurionite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Pb2+Cl(OH)
First published:
1899
Classification of Paralaurionite
3.DC.05
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
10.2.3.1
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
2 : A(O,OH)Xq
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
2 : A(O,OH)Xq
8.8.8
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Plri | 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 Paralaurionite
Sub-Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless, white, yellow, violet, green
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001}.
On {001}.
Density:
6.15 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.28 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Paralaurionite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 2.05 nβ = 2.15 nγ = 2.2
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 (68°) 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 (68°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
r < v strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Violet-tinted crystals are pleochroic with absorption Y is greater than X, Z.
Comments:
Plates on {100} exhibit abnormal interference figures due to twinning.
Chemistry of Paralaurionite
Mindat Formula:
PbCl(OH)
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Paralaurionite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.865(4) Å, b = 4.006(2) Å, c = 7.233(3) Å
β = 117.24(4)°
β = 117.24(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.712 : 1 : 1.806
Unit Cell V:
279.90 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals thin tabular {100} or lath-like by elongation [001]. The terminations of the plates or laths are rectangular or wedge-shaped as a result of development of pyramidal faces at the corners.
Forms on type material: {100} large, {001} small, {101) minute, {201} small, {401} small, {601} small, {111} large, {110} large.
Forms on type material: {100} large, {001} small, {101) minute, {201} small, {401} small, {601} small, {111} large, {110} large.
Twinning:
Twin plane {100}, very common, as symmetrical contact twins with composition face (100), simulating orthorhombic holohedry.
Comment:
OD structure. I-centred setting has a ~ 9.92 A, β ~ 103°.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014500 | Paralaurionite | Merlino S, Pasero M, Perchialli N (1993) Crystal structure of paralaurionite and its OD relationships with laurionite Mineralogical Magazine 57 323-328 |  | 1993 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.14 Å | (100) |
| 3.21 Å | (100) |
| 2.51 Å | (90) |
| 2.98 Å | (70) |
| 3.49 Å | (60) |
| 2.44 Å | (60) |
| 2.01 Å | (60) |
Geological Environment
Geological Setting:
Lead-rich slags, also found in the oxide zone of some lead deposits in arid areas.
Type Occurrence of Paralaurionite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Pseudo-rhombic tabular (to 10x15 mm) to prismatic (to 5 mm length). Similar to laurionite or fiedlerite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 84034.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Lead slag
Synonyms of Paralaurionite
Other Language Names for Paralaurionite
Relationship of Paralaurionite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Matlockite Group:
| Bismoclite | BiOCl | Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm |
| Daubréeite | BiO(OH) | Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm |
| Laurionite | PbCl(OH) | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Matlockite | PbFCl | Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm |
| Rorisite | CaFCl | Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm |
| Zavaritskite | (BiO)F | Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 27 photos of Paralaurionite associated with Wherryite | Pb7Cu2(SO4)4(SiO4)2(OH)2 |
| 26 photos of Paralaurionite associated with Diaboleite | Pb2CuCl2(OH)4 |
| 26 photos of Paralaurionite associated with Thorikosite | Pb3Cl2(OH)(SbO3,AsO3) |
| 19 photos of Paralaurionite associated with Nealite | Pb4Fe2+(As3+O3)2Cl4 · 2H2O |
| 19 photos of Paralaurionite associated with Phosgenite | Pb2CO3Cl2 |
| 17 photos of Paralaurionite associated with Leadhillite | Pb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 17 photos of Paralaurionite associated with Georgiadesite | Pb4(As3+O3)Cl4(OH) |
| 16 photos of Paralaurionite associated with Chloroxiphite | Pb3CuO2Cl2(OH)2 |
| 12 photos of Paralaurionite associated with Mendipite | Pb3Cl2O2 |
| 11 photos of Paralaurionite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
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 | 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.20 | Laurelite | Pb7F12Cl2 |
| 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 |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in nitric acid.
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 Paralaurionite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3096.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 Paralaurionite
Reference List:
Arzruni, A.; Thaddéeff, K. (1899) Neue Minerale aus Chile, ein neues Vorkommen von Utahit und ein neues Wismuthcarbonat von Schneeberg. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, 31 (1-6). 229-247 doi:10.1524/zkri.1899.31.1.229 (as Rafaëlit)
Herbert Smith, G. F., Prior, G. T. (1899) On some lead minerals from Laurium, namely, Laurionite, Phosgenite, Fiedlerite, and (new species) Paralaurionite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 12 (55) 102-110 doi:10.1180/minmag.1899.012.55.06
Herbert Smith, G. F. (1899) Note on the Identity of Paralaurionite and Rafaelite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 12 (56) 183 doi:10.1180/minmag.1899.012.56.08
Herbert Smith, G. F., Prior, G. T. (1899) On some lead minerals from Laurium, namely, Laurionite, Phosgenite, Fiedlerite, and (new species) Paralaurionite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 12 (55) 102-110 doi:10.1180/minmag.1899.012.55.06
Smith, G. F. Herbert (1900) Ueber die Identität von Rafaelit und Paralaurionit. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 32 (1-6). 217-219 doi:10.1524/zkri.1900.32.1.217
Ktenas, Const.-A. (1910) Sur les relations cristallographiques entre la laurionite et la paralaurionite. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 33 (3). 173-188 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1910.3422
Russell, Arthur, Hutchinson, A. (1927) On laurionite and associated minerals from Cornwall. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 21 (116). 221-228 doi:10.1180/minmag.1927.021.116.04
Palache, Charles (1934) The form relations of the lead oxychlorides, laurionite, paralaurionite, and fiedlerite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 23 (146) 573-586 doi:10.1180/minmag.1934.023.146.01
Palache, Charles (1950) Paralaurionite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 29 (211) 341-345 doi:10.1180/minmag.1950.029.211.10
Localities for Paralaurionite
Showing 60 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 | |
| Sillitoe et al. (2023) |
Australia | |
| Nickel et al. (1993) |
| Nickel et al. (1993) | |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2009) +2 other references |
Chile | |
| Camus et al. (1991) |
| Palache (1950) |
| Brugger et al. (2012) | |
| rruff.geo.arizona.edu (n.d.) | |
| M. Dini specimens | |
| Mücke (1971) | |
| Arzruni et al. (1899) +1 other reference |
| SEM-EDS and Raman Spectroscopy by Joy ... |
| gerhard mohn EDS and SEM |
Czech Republic | |
| RÜSENBERG et al. (1996) |
France | |
| Gol D. (2009) |
| P. Le Roch collection |
| Germain C. et al. (1990) |
Germany | |
| van den Berg et al. (1990) |
| Gerhard Möhn Collection Analyzed by ... |
Greece | |
| Fritz Schreiber collection +1 other reference |
| Collection of Elmar Lackner +1 other reference | |
| |
| |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) +1 other reference | |
| Rüsenberg (2001) | |
| Herbert Smith et al. (1899) +4 other references |
| Kolitsch et al. (2014) |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) | |
| |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) | |
| Lacroix et al. (1908) +1 other reference | |
Italy | |
| Marco Bonifazi & Uwe Kolitsch (to be published) |
| Rivista Mineralogica Italiana (Avril/Juin) |
| Luigi Chiappino data |
| www.comune.pisa.it (2000) |
| Jansen et al. (1998) |
| Franzini et al. (1992) +2 other references |
| Luigi Chiappino data |
Morocco | |
| Gaudefroy (1955) |
| King (n.d.) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
Spain | |
| Georges FAVREAU collection & EDX ... |
| Dill et al. (2023) |
| Van den Berg et al. (2020) |
UK | |
| Day (1999) |
| BMS Newsletter 79 (http://britishmicromountsociety.homestead.com/Gannell-Smelter.html) |
| Russell et al. (1927) +1 other reference |
| Steve Rust Collection and NHM London |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Norman Wilson collection |
| Turner (2006) +2 other references |
| Day (1999) |
| Green (1987) +2 other references |
| S. Rust collection. | |
USA | |
| Raman analyzed at the University of ... |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... |
| Palache (1950) +4 other references |
| Palache (1950) +3 other references |
Quick NavTopAbout ParalaurioniteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Thorikos Bay slag locality, Velatouri, Lavreotiki, East Attica, Attica, Greece