Quadratite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Quadratite
Formula:
Ag(Cd,Pb)AsS3
Colour:
Gray; reddish (laminae)
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
5.31 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
The name is derived from the conspicuous quadratic shape of the mineral.
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7262
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7262:1
IMA Classification of Quadratite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ag1+Cd2+As3+S2-3
Approval year:
1994
First published:
1998
Classification of Quadratite
2.GC.25
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
C : Poly-sulfarsenites
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
C : Poly-sulfarsenites
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Qd | 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 Quadratite
Metallic
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Gray; reddish (laminae)
Streak:
Reddish-brown
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN10=52 - 72 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect {001} and distinct {110}
Perfect {001} and distinct {110}
Comment:
Ductile to flexible in thin laminae
Density:
5.31 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Quadratite
Bireflectance:
Could not be determined because type polished sections were parallel to (001).
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) | imR1 (%) | imR2 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 470nm | 30.5% | 32.3% | 12.5% | 14.0% |
| 543nm | 29.6% | 30.8% | 12.2% | 13.3% |
| 587nm | 28.7% | 29.7% | 12.0% | 12.9% |
| 657nm | 26.3% | 28.0% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 32.3%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red, imR1 shown in green, imR2 shown in blue
Colour in reflected light:
Grayish white with a bluish tint
Internal Reflections:
Dark red along cleavage cracks (in oil)
Comments:
Could not be determined because type polished sections were parallel to (001).
Comments:
Optical data are available only for grains mounted parallel to (001)
Chemistry of Quadratite
Mindat Formula:
Ag(Cd,Pb)AsS3
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Quadratite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
422 - Trapezohedral
Space Group:
P4322
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.5229(4) Å, c = 33.399(5) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 6.047
Unit Cell V:
1018.8 ų
Z:
8
Morphology:
Crystals tabular, showing a large {001}, with {103}, {104}, {111}, and {116}.
Twinning:
Rarely twinned along (016)
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0019742 | Quadratite | Bindi L, Spry P G, Bonazzi P, Makovicky E, Balic-Zunic T (2013) Quadratite, AgCdAsS3:Chemical composition, crystal structure and OD character American Mineralogist 98 242-247 | 2013 | Lengenbach, Binntal, Switzerland | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.19 Å | (50) |
| 2.77 Å | (100) |
| 1.960 Å | (80) |
| 1.679 Å | (70) |
| 1.598 Å | (70) |
| 1.274 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 Quadratite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Occurs as characteristic quadratic crystals, some of which are octagonal in shape, rarely to 1 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum in Basel, and in the Mineralogical Institute, University of Basel, Switzerland.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Quadratite
Other Language Names for Quadratite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 19 photos of Quadratite associated with Jordanite | Pb14As6S23 |
| 11 photos of Quadratite associated with Smithite | AgAsS2 |
| 3 photos of Quadratite associated with Greenockite | CdS |
| 3 photos of Quadratite associated with Marrite | AgPbAsS3 |
| 2 photos of Quadratite associated with 'Amethyst' | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Quadratite associated with Wurtzite | (Zn,Fe)S |
| 1 photo of Quadratite associated with Seligmannite | PbCuAsS3 |
| 1 photo of Quadratite associated with Galena | PbS |
| 1 photo of Quadratite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 1 photo of Quadratite associated with Proustite | Ag3AsS3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.GC.05 | Hatchite | AgTlPbAs2S5 |
| 2.GC.05 | Wallisite | (Cu,Ag)TlPbAs2S5 |
| 2.GC.10 | Sinnerite | Cu6As4S9 |
| 2.GC.15 | Watanabeite | Cu4(As,Sb)2S5 |
| 2.GC.20 | Simonite | TlHgAs3S6 |
| 2.GC.25 | Manganoquadratite | AgMnAsS3 |
| 2.GC.30 | Smithite | AgAsS2 |
| 2.GC.35 | Trechmannite | AgAsS2 |
| 2.GC.35 | Debattistiite | Ag9Hg0.5As6S12Te2 |
| 2.GC.40a | Aleksite | PbBi2Te2S2 |
| 2.GC.40d | Saddlebackite | Pb2Bi2Te2S3 |
| 2.GC.40c | Rucklidgeite | PbBi2Te4 |
| 2.GC.40 | Clogauite | PbBi4Te4S3 |
| 2.GC.40e | Babkinite | Pb2Bi2(S,Se)3 |
| 2.GC.40b | Kochkarite | PbBi4Te7 |
| 2.GC.40c | Poubaite | PbBi2(Se,Te,S)4 |
| 2.GC.45 | Tvalchrelidzeite | Hg3SbAsS3 |
| 2.GC.50 | Mutnovskite | Pb4As2S6ICl |
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 Quadratite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7262.html
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References for Quadratite
Reference List:
Gräser, S., Lustenhouwer, W., Berlepsch, P. (1998) Quadratite Ag(Cd,Pb)(As,Sb)S3 - a new sulfide mineral from Lengenbach, Binntal (Switzerland) Schweizerische mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, 78 (3) 489-494
Localities for Quadratite
Showing 1 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.
Switzerland (TL) | |
| Gräser et al. (1998) |
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Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland