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Altaite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Altaite
Formula:
PbTe
Colour:
Tin-white with a light yellow tint; yellow-brown, blue (tarnished)
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
8.19
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
After the discovery locality: Zavodinsk, Rudny Altai, Kazakhstan.
Galena Group.
Note: Miscibility gaps exist below ~350°C and 805°C along the joins PbSe-PbTe and PbS-PbTe, respectively (Liu and Chang, 2018).
Compare the chemically related 'UM1986-67-Te:Pb' and 'UM1986-68-Te:Pb'.
Note: Miscibility gaps exist below ~350°C and 805°C along the joins PbSe-PbTe and PbS-PbTe, respectively (Liu and Chang, 2018).
Compare the chemically related 'UM1986-67-Te:Pb' and 'UM1986-68-Te:Pb'.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
147
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:147:6
Similar Names
| Alaite | V2O5 · H2O | |
| Aleutite | A valid IMA mineral species | [Cu5O2](AsO4)(VO4) · (Cu,K,Pb,Rb,Cs,)Cl |
| Aleutite (rock) | A rock subtype | |
| Aliettite | A valid IMA mineral species | Ca0.2Mg6((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| Alluadite (of Bernhardi) | A synonym of Dufrénite |
IMA Classification of Altaite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Pb2+Te2-
Classification of Altaite
2.CD.10
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
D : With Sn, Pb, Hg, etc.
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
D : With Sn, Pb, Hg, etc.
2.8.1.3
2 : SULFIDES
8 : AmXp, with m:p = 1:1
2 : SULFIDES
8 : AmXp, with m:p = 1:1
3.6.7
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
6 : Sulphides etc. of Sb and Pb
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
6 : Sulphides etc. of Sb and Pb
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Alt | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Alt | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Altaite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Tin-white with a light yellow tint; yellow-brown, blue (tarnished)
Comment:
Handbook of Mineralogy: tarnishes bronze; in polished section, white with a delicate greenish hue
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=47 - 53 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Sectile
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {001}
on {001}
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
8.19 g/cm3 (Measured) 8.27 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Altaite
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) |
|---|---|
| 400nm | 59.6% |
| 420nm | 62.6% |
| 440nm | 65.2% |
| 460nm | 67.5% |
| 480nm | 69.3% |
| 500nm | 70.6% |
| 520nm | 71.2% |
| 540nm | 71.1% |
| 560nm | 70.1% |
| 580nm | 68.7% |
| 600nm | 66.8% |
| 620nm | 65.1% |
| 640nm | 63.4% |
| 660nm | 61.9% |
| 680nm | 60.6% |
| 700nm | 59.4% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 71.2%.
Colour in reflected light:
White with greenish hue
Chemistry of Altaite
Mindat Formula:
PbTe
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ag,Au,Cu,Fe,Se,S
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| Te | 36.66 % |
| Pb | 63.34 % |
| Total: | 100 % |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kudremukh, Western Ghat region, Chikkamagaluru District, Karnataka, India | Minute specks found as inclusions in silicates adjacent to sulfides in a BIF. EMPA analysis |
Crystallography of Altaite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m(4/m32/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Fm3m
Setting:
Fm3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.439 Å
Unit Cell V:
266.97 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Rarely in very small cubes and octahedra; massive, as cleavages, to 1 cm; granular, myrmekitic in other sulfides.
Crystallographic forms of Altaite
Crystal Atlas:
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Altaite no.1 - {100} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Mattagami Lake mine, Matagami, Jamésie, Nord-du-Québec, Québec, Canada