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Galenobismutite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Galenobismutite
Formula:
PbBi2S4
Colour:
Lead-gray, gray, light gray, tin-white
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2½ - 3½
Specific Gravity:
6.9 - 7.1
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after its chemical composition.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1642
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1642:7
IMA Classification of Galenobismutite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Pb2+Bi3+2S2-4
First published:
1878
Classification of Galenobismutite
2.JB.25e
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
J : Sulfosalts of PbS archetype
B : Galena derivatives, with Pb
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
J : Sulfosalts of PbS archetype
B : Galena derivatives, with Pb
Dana 7th ed.:
3.7.9.1
3.7.9.1
3 : SULFOSALTS
7 : ø = 2
3 : SULFOSALTS
7 : ø = 2
5.6.23
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
6 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Pb alone
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
6 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Pb alone
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gbit | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Gab | 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 Galenobismutite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Lead-gray, gray, light gray, tin-white
Comment:
May tarnish yellow, blue, or iridescent
Streak:
Gray-black
Hardness:
2½ - 3½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=142 - 194 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on the {110}
Good on the {110}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
6.9 - 7.1 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.195 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Galenobismutite
Anisotropism:
Strong
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 48.0% | 51.1% |
| 440nm | 47.8% | 51.1% |
| 480nm | 47.5% | 50.8% |
| 520nm | 46.6% | 49.8% |
| 560nm | 45.3% | 48.2% |
| 600nm | 44.6% | 47.2% |
| 640nm | 44.4% | 46.7% |
| 680nm | 44.5% | 46.8% |
| 700nm | 44.7% | 47.1% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 51.1%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
White
Chemistry of Galenobismutite
Mindat Formula:
PbBi2S4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Galenobismutite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.65 Å, b = 14.49 Å, c = 4.08 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.804 : 1 : 0.282
Unit Cell V:
688.74 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Lathlike, elongated [001] and flattened {100}; needles [001]; striated [001]. Extremely thin plates at times {100}. Crystals frequently bent or twisted. Massive, columnar to fibrous, or compact.
Comment:
Space group Pnam (non-standard setting).
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0006326 | Galenobismutite | Topa D, Makovicky E, Putz H (2010) The crystal structure of angelaite, Cu2AgPbBiS4 The Canadian Mineralogist 48 145-153 | 2010 | Angela mine, Los Manantiales district, Chubut province, Argentina | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009086 | Galenobismutite | Olsen L A, Balic-Zunic T, Makovicky E, Ullrich A, Miletich R (2007) Hydrostatic compression of galenobismutite (PbBi2S4): elastic properties and high-pressure crystal chemistry Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 467-475 | 2007 | synthetic | 0.0001 | 293 | |
| 0006073 | Galenobismutite | Pinto D, Balic-Zunic T, Garavelli A, Makovicky E, Vurro F (2006) Comparative crystal-structure study of Ag-free lillianite and galenobismutite from Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy The Canadian Mineralogist 44 159-175 |  | 2006 | Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0009087 | Galenobismutite | Olsen L A, Balic-Zunic T, Makovicky E, Ullrich A, Miletich R (2007) Hydrostatic compression of galenobismutite (PbBi2S4): elastic properties and high-pressure crystal chemistry Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 467-475 | 2007 | synthetic | 0.16 | 293 | |
| 0009088 | Galenobismutite | Olsen L A, Balic-Zunic T, Makovicky E, Ullrich A, Miletich R (2007) Hydrostatic compression of galenobismutite (PbBi2S4): elastic properties and high-pressure crystal chemistry Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 467-475 | 2007 | synthetic | 0.6 | 293 | |
| 0009089 | Galenobismutite | Olsen L A, Balic-Zunic T, Makovicky E, Ullrich A, Miletich R (2007) Hydrostatic compression of galenobismutite (PbBi2S4): elastic properties and high-pressure crystal chemistry Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 467-475 | 2007 | synthetic | 1.39 | 293 | |
| 0009090 | Galenobismutite | Olsen L A, Balic-Zunic T, Makovicky E, Ullrich A, Miletich R (2007) Hydrostatic compression of galenobismutite (PbBi2S4): elastic properties and high-pressure crystal chemistry Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 467-475 | 2007 | synthetic | 2.97 | 293 | |
| 0009091 | Galenobismutite | Olsen L A, Balic-Zunic T, Makovicky E, Ullrich A, Miletich R (2007) Hydrostatic compression of galenobismutite (PbBi2S4): elastic properties and high-pressure crystal chemistry Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 467-475 | 2007 | synthetic | 4.15 | 293 | |
| 0009092 | Galenobismutite | Olsen L A, Balic-Zunic T, Makovicky E, Ullrich A, Miletich R (2007) Hydrostatic compression of galenobismutite (PbBi2S4): elastic properties and high-pressure crystal chemistry Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 467-475 | 2007 | synthetic | 4.78 | 293 | |
| 0009093 | Galenobismutite | Olsen L A, Balic-Zunic T, Makovicky E, Ullrich A, Miletich R (2007) Hydrostatic compression of galenobismutite (PbBi2S4): elastic properties and high-pressure crystal chemistry Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 467-475 | 2007 | synthetic | 6.06 | 293 | |
| 0009094 | Galenobismutite | Olsen L A, Balic-Zunic T, Makovicky E, Ullrich A, Miletich R (2007) Hydrostatic compression of galenobismutite (PbBi2S4): elastic properties and high-pressure crystal chemistry Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 467-475 | 2007 | synthetic | 8.65 | 293 | |
| 0009095 | Galenobismutite | Olsen L A, Balic-Zunic T, Makovicky E, Ullrich A, Miletich R (2007) Hydrostatic compression of galenobismutite (PbBi2S4): elastic properties and high-pressure crystal chemistry Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 467-475 | 2007 | synthetic | 8.92 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.65 Å | (30) |
| 3.45 Å | (100) |
| 3.03 Å | (40) |
| 2.76 Å | (30) |
| 2.46 Å | (40) |
| 2.05 Å | (40) |
| 1.961 Å | (50) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 11 : Volcanic fumarole minerals; reduced phases (see also #45) | |
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 12 : Hadean hydrothermal subsurface sulfide deposits (see also #33) | |
| High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Geological Setting:
Hydrothermal veins
Merrimac Mine, Organ Mining District, Organ Mountains, Doña Ana County, New Mexico, USA