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Thalfenisite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About ThalfenisiteHide

Formula:
Tl6(Fe,Ni,Cu)25S26Cl
Colour:
Brown
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
1 - 1½
Specific Gravity:
5.26 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
The name reflects its composition: thallium, iron (latin "ferrum"), nickel and sulfur.
Djerfisherite Group. Compare UM1997-42-S:CuFeKNiPbTl - its Cl-free (S-rich) analogue.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
3932
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3932:7

IMA Classification of ThalfenisiteHide

Classification of ThalfenisiteHide

2.FC.05

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
F : Sulfides of arsenic, alkalies; sulfides with halide, oxide, hydroxide, H2O
C : With Cl, Br, I (halide-sulfides)
2.15.2.2

2 : SULFIDES
15 : Chlor-sulfides
6.5.12

6 : Sulphosalts - Sulphostannates, Sulphogermanates,Sulpharsenates, Sulphantimonates, Sulphovanadates and Sulphohalides
5 : Sulphohalides

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
TfnIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of ThalfenisiteHide

Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Brown
Hardness:
1 - 1½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN10=130 - 164 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Density:
5.26 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of ThalfenisiteHide

Type:
Isotropic
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)
440nm23.6%
560nm25.6%
600nm27.3%
680nm30.3%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 30.3%.
Colour in reflected light:
Brown in reflected light, dark brown in oil

Chemistry of ThalfenisiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Tl6(Fe,Ni,Cu)25S26Cl
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Fe39.986 %
Tl35.122 %
S23.877 %
Cl1.015 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Common Impurities:
K

Crystallography of ThalfenisiteHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.29(2) Å
Unit Cell V:
1,089.55 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere>4.45
12 : Hadean hydrothermal subsurface sulfide deposits (see also #33)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks

Type Occurrence of ThalfenisiteHide

Synonyms of ThalfenisiteHide

Other Language Names for ThalfenisiteHide

Simplified Chinese:硫镍铁铊矿
Spanish:Thalfenisita

Relationship of Thalfenisite to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of Djerfisherite Group:
'Cu-djerfisherite'K6(Cu,Fe)25S26Cl
DjerfisheriteK6(Fe,Cu,Ni)25S26ClIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pm3m
GmalimiteK6◻Fe2+24S27Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pm3m
Owensite(Ba,Pb)6(Cu,Fe,Ni)25S27Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pm3m
Zoharite(Ba,K)6(Fe,Cu,Ni)25S27Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pm3m

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
3 photos of Thalfenisite associated with GalenaPbS
3 photos of Thalfenisite associated with ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
2 photos of Thalfenisite associated with Pentlandite(NixFey)Σ9S8
2 photos of Thalfenisite associated with PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
1 photo of Thalfenisite associated with Native SilverAg

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.FC.Demicheleite-(I)BiSIOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
2.FC.05DjerfisheriteK6(Fe,Cu,Ni)25S26ClIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pm3m
2.FC.05Owensite(Ba,Pb)6(Cu,Fe,Ni)25S27Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pm3m
2.FC.05GmalimiteK6◻Fe2+24S27Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pm3m
2.FC.05'Cu-djerfisherite'K6(Cu,Fe)25S26Cl
2.FC.05Zoharite(Ba,K)6(Fe,Cu,Ni)25S27Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pm3m
2.FC.10BartoniteK6Fe20S26STet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm
2.FC.10ChlorbartoniteK6Fe24S26(Cl,S)Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm
2.FC.15dRadtkeiteHg2+3S2IClMon. 2/m : B2/m
2.FC.15aLavrentieviteHg3S2Cl2Mon.
2.FC.15aCorderoiteHg2+3S2Cl2Iso. m3(2/m3)
2.FC.15a'Arzakite'Hg2+3S2(Br,Cl)2Mon.
2.FC.15cGrechishcheviteHg2+3S2(Br,Cl,I)2Tet.
2.FC.15bKenhsuiteHg2+3S2Cl2Orth.
2.FC.20bIltisiteHgAgSClHex.
2.FC.20cPerrouditeHg5Ag4S5(I,Br)2Cl2Orth. 222 : P21212
2.FC.20aCapgaronniteAgHgClSOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.FC.20dHanaueriteAgHgSIOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmma
2.FC.25Demicheleite-(Cl)BiSClOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
2.FC.25Demicheleite-(Br)BiSBrOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Not reactive with FeCl3, HCl, or HNO3(1:1); intensely etched by concentrated HNO3.
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 ThalfenisiteHide

References for ThalfenisiteHide

Localities for ThalfenisiteHide

Showing 1 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Russia (TL)
 
  • Krasnoyarsk Krai
    • Taymyrskiy Autonomous Okrug
      • Taimyr Peninsula
        • Norilsk-Talnakh Mining Region
          • Talnakh Cu-Ni Deposit
Rudashevskii et al. (1979) +1 other reference
 
and/or  
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