Terlinguaite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Terlinguaite
Formula:
[Hg3]4+Hg2+Cl2O2
Colour:
Yellow-, yellow-green, brown (darkens to olive-green on exposure to light); pale olive-green in transmitted light
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
8.725
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after its discovery locality, Terlingua, Brewster County, Texas, USA.
Type Locality:
The mineral is remarkable for containing Hg3 rings with coordination number 6 as structural unit as well as isolated Hg atoms with coordination number 4 (planar; Aurivillius and Folkmarson, 1968, Brodersen et al., 1989).
According to Borisov et al. (2003), the [Hg3]4+ polycation may possibly also be present in kuznetsovite.
According to Borisov et al. (2003), the [Hg3]4+ polycation may possibly also be present in kuznetsovite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3914
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3914:3
IMA Classification of Terlinguaite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Hg2OCl
First published:
1900
Classification of Terlinguaite
3.DD.20
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
D : With Hg
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
D : With Hg
10.4.2.1
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
4 : A2(O,OH)Xq
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
4 : A2(O,OH)Xq
8.5.3
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
5 : Halides of Zn and Hg
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
5 : Halides of Zn and Hg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tlg | 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 Terlinguaite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Yellow-, yellow-green, brown (darkens to olive-green on exposure to light); pale olive-green in transmitted light
Streak:
Lemon yellow
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {101}
On {101}
Density:
8.725 g/cm3 (Measured) 8.73 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Terlinguaite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 2.35 nβ = 2.64 nγ = 2.66
2V:
Measured: 20° , Calculated: 26°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.310
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Slightly pleochroic in green and yellow.
Chemistry of Terlinguaite
Mindat Formula:
[Hg3]4+Hg2+Cl2O2
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Terlinguaite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 19.51 Å, b = 5.91 Å, c = 9.47 Å
β = 143.81°
β = 143.81°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 3.301 : 1 : 1.602
Unit Cell V:
644.75 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals prismatic [010] and often somewhat flattened on {001}; rarely prismatic in a pyramidal direction; also equidimensional, or thick tabular {001}. Pulverulent; massive aggregates of imperfect crystals (Dana, 7th. ed.: 53).
Comment:
C2/c (synthetic).
Crystallographic forms of Terlinguaite
Crystal Atlas:
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Terlinguaite no.7 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0011911 | Terlinguaite | Aurivillius K, Folkmarson L (1968) The crystal structure of terlinguaite Hg4O2Cl2 Acta Chemica Scandinavica 22 2529-2540 | 1968 | Terlingua, Texas, USA | 0 | 293 | |
| 0015794 | Terlinguaite | Brodersen K, Gobel G, Liehr G (1989) Terlinguait Hg4O2Cl2 - ein mineral mit ungewohnlichen Hg3-baueinheiten Zeitschrift fur Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie 575 145-153 | 1989 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.505 Å | (100) |
| 5.76 Å | (80) |
| 4.17 Å | (80) |
| 3.28 Å | (80) |
| 815 Å | (80) |
| 2.596 Å | (80) |
| 4.34 Å | (60) |
Comments:
Synthetic, ICDD 25-559.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Terlinguaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Agglomeration of imperfect striated, bright yellow crystals. Less frequently as doubly terminated crystals to 1 mm in length.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Muséum Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France, number 1041203.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Secondary mineral in a hydrothermal mercury deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Terlinguaite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 10 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Cinnabar | HgS |
| 7 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Montroydite | HgO |
| 7 photos of Terlinguaite associated with 'CCUK-8' | (Hg, CrO4, S, H2O)? |
| 5 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Calomel | [Hg2]2+Cl2 |
| 5 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 4 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Eglestonite | [Hg2]2+3OCl3(OH) |
| 3 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 2 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Kleinite | (Hg2N)(Cl,SO4) · nH2O |
| 1 photo of Terlinguaite associated with Shakhovite | [Hg2]2+Hg2+2[Sb3+O3](OH)3 |
| 1 photo of Terlinguaite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.DD. | Mikecoxite | [CHg4]OCl2 |
| 3.DD.05 | Eglestonite | [Hg2]2+3OCl3(OH) |
| 3.DD.05 | Kadyrelite | [Hg2]2+3OBr3(OH) |
| 3.DD.10 | Poyarkovite | [Hg2]2+3Cl2O2 |
| 3.DD.15 | Hanawaltite | [Hg2]2+3Hg2+(Cl,OH)2O3 |
| 3.DD.25 | Pinchite | Hg2+5Cl2O4 |
| 3.DD.30 | Gianellaite | [(Hg2N)2](SO4)(H2O)x |
| 3.DD.30 | Mosesite | (Hg2N)(Cl,SO4,MoO4) · H2O |
| 3.DD.35 | Kleinite | (Hg2N)(Cl,SO4) · nH2O |
| 3.DD.40 | Tedhadleyite | [Hg2]2+5Hg2+I2(Cl,Br)2O4 |
| 3.DD.45 | Vasilyevite | [Hg2]2+10I3Br2Cl[CO3]O6 |
| 3.DD.50 | Aurivilliusite | [Hg2]2+Hg2+2(I,Br,Cl)2O2 |
| 3.DD.55 | Terlinguacreekite | Hg2+3Cl2O2 |
| 3.DD.60 | Kelyanite | [Hg]2+6Sb3+BrCl2O6 |
| 3.DD.65 | Comancheite | Hg2+55N3-24(NH2,OH)4(Cl,Br)34 |
| 3.DD.70 | Gaildunningite | Hg2+3[NHg2+2]18(Cl,I,OH,Br,S)24 |
Other Information
Notes:
Turns black immediately when treated with hydrogen sulfide. Ammonia causes a slower change to black. Decomposed with separation of calomel by acetic, hydrochloric, and nitric acids.
Health Risks:
Contains mercury - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest.
Internet Links for Terlinguaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3914.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Terlinguaite
Reference List:
Moses, A. J. (1904) Eglestonit, Terlinguaït und Montroydit, neue Quecksilbermineralien von Terlingua in Texas. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 39 (1). 3-13 doi:10.1524/zkri.1904.39.1.3
Turner, Henry Ward (1906) The Terlingua quicksilver deposits. Economic Geology, 1 (3). 265-281 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.1.3.265
Hillebrand, W.F.; Schaller, W.T. (1909) The mercury minerals from Terlingua, Texas. Bulletin 405. US Geological Survey p.1-174. doi:10.3133/b405
Šćavničar, S. (1956) The crystal structure of oxy-mercuric-mercurous chloride, 2HgO.Hg2Cl2. Acta Crystallographica, 9 (11) 956-959 doi:10.1107/s0365110x56002679
Aurivillius, Karin, Folkmarson, Lena, Olofsson, Berit, Nielsen, Per Halfdan (1968) The Crystal Structure of Terlinguaite Hg4O2Cl2. Acta Chemica Scandinavica, 22. 2529-2540 doi:10.3891/acta.chem.scand.22-2529
Brodersen, K., Göbel, G., Liehr, G. (1989) Terlinguait Hg4O2Cl2 – ein Mineral mit ungewöhnlichen Hg3‐Baueinheiten. Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, 575 (1). 145-153 doi:10.1002/zaac.19895750118
Localities for Terlinguaite
Showing 27 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.
Austria | |
| Schnorrer et al. (2002) |
Germany | |
| Heidtke (2001) |
| Stephan Wolfsried collection | |
| Dreyer (1975) | |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| [Lapis 11:11-24] +2 other references |
| Kolesar et al. (1993) | |
Mexico | |
| Gallagher et al. (1948) |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Percy Babb (1909) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Canadian Mineralogist Feb. 1999 +1 other reference |
| Pervukhina et al. (2003) |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Roberts et al. (2003) |
| Bailey (1942) +2 other references |
| Dunning et al. (2005) |
| Dunning |
| Murdoch (1966) | |
| Rocks & Minerals. Nov. 1999. |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| McCormack (2000) |
| Smith (1991) |
| Smith (1991) | |
| Kelly Nash Collection | |
| Mining & Scientific Press +3 other references |
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Mariposa Mine, Brewster County, Texas, USA