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Criddleite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Criddleite
Dr Alan J Criddle (1944-2002)
Formula:
TlAg2Au3Sb10S10
Colour:
Gray-blue
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
6.86
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named by D.C. Harris, A.C. Roberts, J.H.G. Laflamme, and C.J. Stanley in 1988 in honor of Dr Alan J. Criddle (1944, South Wales, UK - 2 May 2002), mineralogist at the British Museum (Natural History) for his 'substantial contributions to the quantitative reflectance of ore minerals and for his research on opaque minerals. He helped to describe more than 65 new minerals and was author of the Quantitative Data File (QDF) for Ore Minerals (2nd and 3rd editions).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1154
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1154:5
IMA Classification of Criddleite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ag2Au3TlSb10S10
Approval year:
1987
First published:
1988
Classification of Criddleite
2.LA.25
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
L : Unclassified Sulfosalts
A : Without essential Pb
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
L : Unclassified Sulfosalts
A : Without essential Pb
3.9.1.1
3 : SULFOSALTS
9 : ø = 1
3 : SULFOSALTS
9 : ø = 1
5.5.19
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
5 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Tl
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
5 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Tl
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cdd | 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 Criddleite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Criddleite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Gray-blue
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN25=94 - 129 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Density:
6.86(7) g/cm3 (Measured) 6.57 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Criddleite
Anisotropism:
Distinct - from buff to slate gray
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) | imR1 (%) | imR2 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 40.6% | 41.85% | 26.3% | 28.3% |
| 440nm | 39.4% | 40.1% | 24.7% | 25.9% |
| 480nm | 38.1% | 39.2% | 23.6% | 25.1% |
| 520nm | 37.3% | 38.9% | 22.6% | 24.6% |
| 560nm | 36.1% | 38.0% | 21.6% | 23.7% |
| 600nm | 35.0% | 37.2% | 20.6% | 22.9% |
| 640nm | 33.7% | 36.0% | 19.6% | 21.7% |
| 680nm | 32.65% | 34.6% | 18.9% | 20.5% |
| 700nm | 32.5% | 34.1% | 18.9% | 20.1% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 41.85%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red, imR1 shown in green, imR2 shown in blue
Colour in reflected light:
Gray-blue
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
From gray-blue to slightly greenish gray-blue
Chemistry of Criddleite
Mindat Formula:
TlAg2Au3Sb10S10
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Criddleite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 20.01 Å, b = 8.07 Å, c = 7.83 Å
β = 92.01°
β = 92.01°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.48 : 1 : 0.97
Unit Cell V:
1264.9 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Lath like grains to 70 microns.
Twinning:
Common
Comment:
Point Group: 2/m, m, or 2. Space Group: A2/m, A2, or Am.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.63 Å | (90) |
| 3.91 Å | (50) |
| 3.456 Å | (50) |
| 2.860 Å | (70) |
| 2.813 Å | (100) |
| 2.018 Å | (60) |
| 1.959 Å | (70) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Type Occurrence of Criddleite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
20 to 50 µm-sized lath-like, tabular or anhedral grains usually surrounding or penetrating aurostibite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
British Museum (Natural History), London, UK, as polished section E.1230, BM 1987,351.
National Mineral Collection, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, NMC 65186.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
National Mineral Collection, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, NMC 65186.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Primary hydrothermal mineral.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Criddleite
Other Language Names for Criddleite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Criddleite associated with Aurostibite | AuSb2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.LA. | Thunderbayite | TlAg3Au3Sb7S6 |
| 2.LA. | Auerbakhite | MnTl2As2S5 |
| 2.LA. | Biagioniite | Tl2SbS2 |
| 2.LA. | Ferrofettelite | [Ag6As2S7][Ag10FeAs2S8] |
| 2.LA. | Gladkovskyite | MnTlAs3S6 |
| 2.LA.10 | Dervillite | Ag2AsS2 |
| 2.LA.15 | Daomanite | CuPtAsS2 |
| 2.LA.20 | Vaughanite | TlHgSb4S7 |
| 2.LA.30 | Fettelite | [Ag6As2S7][Ag10HgAs2S8] |
| 2.LA.35 | Chaméanite | (Cu,Fe)4As(Se,S)4 |
| 2.LA.40 | Arcubisite | Ag6CuBiS4 |
| 2.LA.45 | Mgriite | Cu3AsSe3 |
| 2.LA.50 | Benleonardite | [Ag6(Sb,As)2S6Te][Ag9Cu(S,Te)2Te2] |
| 2.LA.55 | Tsnigriite | Ag9SbTe3S3 |
| 2.LA.60 | Borovskite | Pd3SbTe4 |
| 2.LA.65 | Jonassonite | AuBi5S4 |
| 2.LA.65 | Nuwaite | Ni6GeS2 |
| 2.LA.65 | Butianite | Ni6SnS2 |
| 2.LA.70 | Raberite | Tl5Ag4As6SbS15 |
| 2.LA.75 | Spaltiite | Tl2Cu2As2S5 |
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 Criddleite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1154.html
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References for Criddleite
Localities for Criddleite
Showing 4 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.
Canada | |
| Harris et al. (1988) +2 other references |
| Harris et al. (1988) +1 other reference |
| Barrick Gold Corporation | |
France | |
| ontariominerals.com +1 other reference |
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Golden Giant Mine, Hemlo gold deposit, Bomby Township, Thunder Bay District, Ontario, Canada