Pyrobitumen
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About Pyrobitumen
Colour:
black
Crystal System:
Amorphous
Name:
According to Wikipedia, the expression "bitumen" originated in the Sanskrit words jatu, meaning "pitch," and jatu-krit, meaning "pitch creating" or "pitch producing" (referring to coniferous or resinous trees). The Latin equivalent is claimed by some to be originally gwitu-men (pertaining to pitch), and by others, pixtumens (exuding or bubbling pitch), which was subsequently shortened to bitumen, thence passing via French into English. From the same root are derived the Anglo-Saxon word "cwidu" (mastix), the German word "Kitt" (cement or mastic), and the Old Norse word "kvada."
A widespread hydrocarbon mineraloid of variable composition, usually in sedimentary or low-grade metamorphic rocks. Differs from bitumen (asphaltum, asphalt) by being brittle, infusible, and relatively insoluble. Formed by polymerization of petroleum over geological time periods, therefore being related to petroleum the same way that amber is related to tree resin. Transitional to protographite.
May be relatively enriched in N, S, and sometimes rare elements like U, V, Pt, etc.
See also under "Coal Blend" - https://www.mindat.org/min-44045.html - a Norwegian term for what is probably a variety of pyrobitumen.
May be relatively enriched in N, S, and sometimes rare elements like U, V, Pt, etc.
See also under "Coal Blend" - https://www.mindat.org/min-44045.html - a Norwegian term for what is probably a variety of pyrobitumen.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
35845
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:35845:3
Physical Properties of Pyrobitumen
Colour:
Black
Crystallography of Pyrobitumen
Crystal System:
Amorphous
Geological Environment
Geological Setting:
Ancient sedimentary rocks, and remobilized in hydrothermal ore deposits. Also frequent as inclusions in quartz crystals, especially those of the "herkimer-type" from dolomitized rocks.
Synonyms of Pyrobitumen
Other Language Names for Pyrobitumen
Varieties of Pyrobitumen
| Albertite | A variety of pyrobitumen, which is bitumen or asphaltum (mineral asphalt) from which most volatile components have evaporated, leaving a harder and less soluble substance with a glistening pitch-like luster. Used for carvings as a jet simulant. |
| Arkosite | An organic compound, said to be a variety of Impsonite |
| Carbonite (of Mueller) | An insoluble infusible bitumen. |
| Cristograhamite | Grahamite, a mineral asphalt, from the Cristo Mine, Huasteca, Mexico. |
| Elkerite | A name applied to a subgroup of pyrobitumens rich in oxygen and partly soluble in alkali. They resemble an earthy brown coal and probably represent a product of intense weathering of bitumens. Ref: Tomkeieff |
| Impsonite | Impsonite is a black, carbonaceous substance, with a specific gravity of 1.10–1.25 and a carbon content of 50–85%. It is described as an asphaltic pyrobitumen, derived from a fluid bitumen which polymerized after filling a vein. The term was coined by... |
| Shungite (1) | Shungite is a name given to both a pyrobitumen-like carbon-rich mineraloid (Shungite(1)) and a metamorphosed Precambrian algal-derived oil shale or sapropelite (Shungite (2)) both mostly restricted to the Karelia region of Russia (Melezhik et al., 2004). ... |
| Thucholite | A mixture of hydrocarbons, Uraninite and some sulphides. Uranium-bearing pyrobitumen. Originally reported from Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada. |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 87 photos of Pyrobitumen associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 52 photos of Pyrobitumen associated with '"Herkimer-style" Quartz' | SiO2 |
| 43 photos of Pyrobitumen associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 35 photos of Pyrobitumen associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 31 photos of Pyrobitumen associated with Native Gold | Au |
| 26 photos of Pyrobitumen associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 19 photos of Pyrobitumen associated with 'Pitchblende' | UO2 |
| 15 photos of Pyrobitumen associated with Galena | PbS |
| 10 photos of Pyrobitumen associated with Rutile | TiO2 |
| 6 photos of Pyrobitumen associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
Some varieties contain uranium and so require the same precautions as any other mildly radioactive materials.
Pyrobitumen in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Pyrobitumen
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-35845.html
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References for Pyrobitumen
Localities for Pyrobitumen
Showing 284 localities.
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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.
Herkimer Diamond Mine, Middleville, Town of Newport, Herkimer County, New York, USA