Plagionite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Plagionite
Formula:
Pb5Sb8S17
Colour:
blackish lead grey
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
5.54 - 5.58
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1833 by Gustav Rose. From the Greek πλάγιος for "oblique" alluding to the oblique habit of the crystals.
Plagionite Group.
An intermediate member of a homologous series, defined by the thickness of a galena sheet in the structure.
May be confused with Fülöppite.
An intermediate member of a homologous series, defined by the thickness of a galena sheet in the structure.
May be confused with Fülöppite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3232
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3232:8
IMA Classification of Plagionite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Pb2+5Sb3+8S2-17
First published:
1831
Type description reference:
Classification of Plagionite
2.HC.10b
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
H : Sulfosalts of SnS archetype
C : With only Pb
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
H : Sulfosalts of SnS archetype
C : With only Pb
3.6.20.2
3 : SULFOSALTS
6 : 2 < ø < 2.49
3 : SULFOSALTS
6 : 2 < ø < 2.49
5.6.9
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
6 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Pb alone
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
6 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Pb alone
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pgi | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Plagionite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Plagionite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Blackish lead grey
Streak:
Blackish lead grey, deep red-brown
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=134 - 163 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Very Good
On {112} ({001} of galena sheet).
On {112} ({001} of galena sheet).
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
5.54 - 5.58 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.55 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Plagionite
Anisotropism:
Distinct in oil
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 37.0% | 45.4% |
| 420nm | 36.8% | 45.1% |
| 440nm | 36.8% | 44.8% |
| 460nm | 36.8% | 44.5% |
| 480nm | 36.7% | 44.2% |
| 500nm | 36.7% | 43.9% |
| 520nm | 36.6% | 43.6% |
| 540nm | 36.4% | 43.0% |
| 560nm | 36.2% | 42.4% |
| 580nm | 35.8% | 41.6% |
| 600nm | 35.3% | 40.7% |
| 620nm | 34.7% | 39.7% |
| 640nm | 33.9% | 38.8% |
| 660nm | 33.1% | 37.7% |
| 680nm | 32.1% | 36.7% |
| 700nm | 31.3% | 35.9% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 45.4%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Pale white
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Noticeable in some orientations.
Chemistry of Plagionite
Mindat Formula:
Pb5Sb8S17
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ag
Crystallography of Plagionite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.4857(8) Å, b = 11.8656(4) Å, c = 19.9834(7) Å
β = 107.168(4)°
β = 107.168(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.137 : 1 : 1.684
Unit Cell V:
3,055.19 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Thick tabular {001}. Short prismatic at times [201]. Striated [110]. Massive granular to compact.
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010763 | Plagionite | Cho S A, Wuensch B J (1974) The crystal structure of plagionite, Pb5Sb8S17, the second member in the homologous series Pb3+2nSb8S15+2n Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 139 351-378 |  | 1974 | Wolfsberg, Harz, Germany | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.87 Å | (80) |
| 3.77 Å | (70) |
| 3.61 Å | (50) |
| 3.26 Å | (90) |
| 3.21 Å | (100) |
| 2.911 Å | (90) |
| 2.622 Å | (60) |
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 Plagionite
Synonyms of Plagionite
Other Language Names for Plagionite
Relationship of Plagionite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Plagionite Group:
| Fülöppite | Pb3Sb8S15 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Heteromorphite | Pb7Sb8S19 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Semseyite | Pb9Sb8S21 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 15 photos of Plagionite associated with Galena | PbS |
| 10 photos of Plagionite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Plagionite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 4 photos of Plagionite associated with Dadsonite | Pb23Sb25S60Cl |
| 4 photos of Plagionite associated with Zinkenite | Pb9Sb22S42 |
| 3 photos of Plagionite associated with Semseyite | Pb9Sb8S21 |
| 3 photos of Plagionite associated with Kermesite | Sb2S2O |
| 3 photos of Plagionite associated with Bournonite | PbCuSbS3 |
| 3 photos of Plagionite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
| 2 photos of Plagionite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.HC. | Bernarlottiite | Pb6(As5Sb3)S18 |
| 2.HC. | Huntingdonite | Pb19Sb16As6S51Cl2 |
| 2.HC. | Moiraite | Pb12Sb8As8S36 |
| 2.HC.05f | Parapierrotite | TlSb5S8 |
| 2.HC.05g | Marumoite | Pb32As40S92 |
| 2.HC.05b | Baumhauerite II | |
| 2.HC.05d | Rathite | Ag2Pb12-xTlx/2As18+x/2S40 |
| 2.HC.05e | Heptasartorite | Tl7Pb22As55S108 |
| 2.HC.05d | Dufrénoysite | Pb2As2S5 |
| 2.HC.05e | Hendekasartorite | Tl2Pb48As82S172 |
| 2.HC.05b | Argentobaumhauerite | Ag1.5Pb22As33.5S72 |
| 2.HC.05c | Argentoliveingite | Ag3+xPb36-2xAs51+xS112 |
| 2.HC.05b | Baumhauerite | Pb12As16S36 |
| 2.HC.05d | Veenite | Pb16Sb9-xAs7+xS40, x ~ 0-0.5 |
| 2.HC.05e | Dekatriasartorite | TlPb58As97S204 |
| 2.HC.05a | Hyršlite | Pb8As10Sb6S32 |
| 2.HC.05e | Incomsartorite | Tl6Pb144As246S516 |
| 2.HC.05c | Liveingite | Pb20As24S56 |
| 2.HC.05c | Johnjamborite | Pb14Sb8.5As7.5S38 |
| 2.HC.05f | Pierrotite | Tl2(Sb,As)10S16 |
| 2.HC.05d | Rathite-IV | PbAs2S4 |
| 2.HC.05d | Argentodufrénoysite | Ag3Pb26As35S80 |
| 2.HC.05e | Écrinsite | AgTl3Pb4As11Sb9S36 |
| 2.HC.05a | Sartorite | PbAs2S4 |
| 2.HC.05a | Twinnite | Pb0.8Tl0.1Sb1.3As0.8S4 |
| 2.HC.05f | Philrothite | TlAs3S5 |
| 2.HC.05h | Polloneite | AgPb46As26Sb23S120 |
| 2.HC.05a | Guettardite | Pb8(Sb0.56As0.44)16S32 |
| 2.HC.10a | Fülöppite | Pb3Sb8S15 |
| 2.HC.10d | Semseyite | Pb9Sb8S21 |
| 2.HC.10d | Rayite | Pb8(Ag,Tl)2Sb8S21 |
| 2.HC.10c | Heteromorphite | Pb7Sb8S19 |
| 2.HC.15 | Falkmanite | Pb3Sb2S6 |
| 2.HC.15 | Boulangerite | Pb5Sb4S11 |
| 2.HC.20 | Robinsonite | Pb4Sb6S13 |
| 2.HC.25 | Moëloite | Pb6Sb6S14(S3) |
| 2.HC.30 | Dadsonite | Pb23Sb25S60Cl |
| 2.HC.35 | Zoubekite | AgPb4Sb4S10 |
| 2.HC.35 | Proto-owyheeite | Ag9Pb40Sb45S112 |
| 2.HC.35 | Owyheeite | Ag3Pb10Sb11S28 |
| 2.HC.40 | Parasterryite | Ag4Pb20Sb14As10S58 |
| 2.HC.50 | Lopatkaite | Pb5Sb3AsS11 |
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 Plagionite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3232.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Plagionite
Reference List:
Spencer, L. J., Prior, G. T. (1899) Plagionite, Heteromorphite and Semseyite as Members of a Natural Group of Minerals. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 12 (55) 55-68 doi:10.1180/minmag.1899.012.55.02
Jambor, J. L. (1969) Sulphosalts of the plagionite group. Mineralogical Magazine, 37 (288). 442-446 doi:10.1180/minmag.1969.037.288.02
CHO, SEUNG-AM, WUENSCH, B. J. (1970) Crystal Chemistry of the Plagionite Group. Nature, 225 (5231). 444-445 doi:10.1038/225444a0
Cho, Seung-Am; Wuensch, B. J. (1974) The crystal structure of plagionite, Pb5Sb8S17, the second member in the homologous series Pb3+2nSb8S15+2n. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 139 (6). 351-378 doi:10.1524/zkri.1974.139.6.351
Criddle, A. J., Stanley, C. J. (1993) Data file. In Quantitative Data File for Ore Minerals. Springer Netherlands. p.1-635. doi:10.1007/978-94-011-1486-8_1p.438
Makovicky, Emil (2019) Algorithms for calculations of homologue order N in the homologous series of sulfosalts. European Journal of Mineralogy, 31 (1) 83-97 doi:10.1127/ejm/2018/0030-2791
Moëlo, Yves, Biagioni, Cristian (2020) Contribution to the crystal chemistry of lead-antimony sulfosalts: systematic Pb-versus-Sb crossed substitution in the plagionite homologous series, Pb2N−1(Pb1−xSbx)2(Sb1−xPbx)2Sb6S13+2N. European Journal of Mineralogy, 32 (6) 623-635 doi:10.5194/ejm-32-623-2020
Localities for Plagionite
Showing 125 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.
Armenia | |
| Kukulyan (1983) |
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Gablina et al. (2018) |
Austria | |
| Taucher (1995) |
| C.Auer (2013) |
| Kolitsch (2019) |
Bolivia | |
| |
| Wilson (2001) | |
| Federico Ahlfeld and Jorge Muñoz Reyes (1955) | |
| Wilson (2001) +1 other reference |
| Dill et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Torró et al. (2019) |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Ivan Jurković et al. (1999) |
| Radosavljević et al. (2016) |
Bulgaria | |
| Strashimirov et al. (2005) |
| [MinRec 22 p.439] |
Canada | |
| Sabina (1967) |
| Kaiman +3 other references |
| Peatfield (n.d.) +2 other references |
Chile | |
| SEM-EDS |
China | |
| Xinhui Liu et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
| Mineral Deposits 4 (1) |
| Liang (2015) |
| Yuanchao Shen et al. (2001) |
| Shihui Yang et al. (1996) |
Czech Republic | |
| Škácha et al. (2021) |
France | |
| Anthony et al. (1990) |
| Watters et al. (1979) |
| Pélisson (1989) |
| Périchaud (1968) |
| Pélisson (1989) |
| see 'Chazelles |
| Pélisson (1989) |
| R. Pierrot |
| Marcoux et al. (1988) |
| Chauris (2014) |
| Moëlo et al. (1978) |
| Chauris (2014) |
| Chauris (2014) |
| Chauris (2014) |
| Hohl (1994) |
| Berbain et al. (2005) |
| Anthony et al. (1990) |
| Henriot et al. (1998) |
| Georges FAVREAU collection & EDX ... |
| |
| R. Pierrot +1 other reference |
| Moëlo et al. (1975) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| Walenta (1989) +1 other reference |
| Weiß (1990) |
| |
| |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) +1 other reference |
| Wagner et al. (2000) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1989) | |
| Wagner et al. (2000) |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| 54 (in German) +1 other reference |
| Henrich (2009) |
| Wagner et al. (2000) |
| Wagner et al. (2000) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Müller (2013) |
| Wagner et al. (2000) |
| Wagner et al. (2000) |
| Zincken (1831) +1 other reference |
| Haas (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Gröbner et al. (2011) | |
Greece | |
| Uwe Kolitsch and Branko Rieck (unpubl. SEM-EDS results) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2015) +1 other reference | |
| Uwe Kolitsch and Branko Rieck (unpubl. SEM-EDS results) | |
| Kanellopoulos et al. (2024) |
Hungary | |
| NAGY et al. (2000) |
| collectors: Sándor Klaj |
| Koch (1985) |
India | |
| G. K. Kesar (2011) |
Iran | |
| Asadi +3 other references |
Italy | |
| Orlandi (2011) |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| Kolesar et al. (1993) |
| Kolesar et al. (1993) | |
Luxembourg | |
| Bakker et al. (2010) +4 other references |
Mexico | |
| Megaw (2023) |
| Panczner (1987) |
North Macedonia | |
| Boev et al. (2015) |
Peru | |
| Alvarez A et al. (1988) |
Poland | |
| Siuda (2001) |
| Nejbert et al. (2014) |
Romania | |
| Dincă et al. (2025) |
| Mârza +6 other references |
Russia | |
| Bortnikov et al. (2004) |
| Sazonov et al. (2020) +1 other reference |
| Ivashchenko (2024) |
| Vikentyev (2015) +3 other references |
| Yurgenson et al. (2023) |
| Krivitskaya et al. (2008) | |
Serbia | |
| Slobodan A. Radosavljević et al. (2013) +1 other reference | |
| Moelo +8 other references |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
| Maťo et al. (stredné Slovensko) |
| Bálintová T. et al. (Slovakia) +1 other reference |
| Števko et al. (2018) |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
| Martin Števko-unpublished |
| Duda et. all. |
| Ďuďa R. (2001) | |
| Chovan et al. (1998) |
| Smirnov et al. (2007) | |
Spain | |
| Rewitzer et al. (2019) |
| Crespo et al. (2000) |
Tajikistan | |
| Badalov et al. (1975) |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| R. E. Bevins (1988) +2 other references |
| Cotterell et al. (2011) |
Ukraine | |
| [World of Stones 12:20] |
USA | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Dietrich (1985) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Umarov et al. (2023) |
| Kovalenker et al. (1997) |
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Caspari Mine, Uentrop, Arnsberg, Hochsauerlandkreis, Arnsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany