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⇱ Terlinguaite: Mineral information, data and localities.

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Terlinguaite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About TerlinguaiteHide

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Formula:
[Hg3]4+Hg2+Cl2O2
Colour:
Yellow-, yellow-green, brown (darkens to olive-green on exposure to light); pale olive-green in transmitted light
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
8.725
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after its discovery locality, Terlingua, Brewster County, Texas, USA.
The mineral is remarkable for containing Hg3 rings with coordination number 6 as structural unit as well as isolated Hg atoms with coordination number 4 (planar; Aurivillius and Folkmarson, 1968, Brodersen et al., 1989).

According to Borisov et al. (2003), the [Hg3]4+ polycation may possibly also be present in kuznetsovite.



Unique IdentifiersHide

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Mindat ID:
3914
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3914:3

IMA Classification of TerlinguaiteHide

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Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Hg2OCl
First published:
1900

Classification of TerlinguaiteHide

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3.DD.20

3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
D : With Hg
10.4.2.1

10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
4 : A2(O,OH)Xq
8.5.3

8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
5 : Halides of Zn and Hg

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

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

Physical Properties of TerlinguaiteHide

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Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Yellow-, yellow-green, brown (darkens to olive-green on exposure to light); pale olive-green in transmitted light
Streak:
Lemon yellow
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {101}
Density:
8.725 g/cm3 (Measured)    8.73 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of TerlinguaiteHide

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Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 2.35 nβ = 2.64 nγ = 2.66
2V:
Measured: 20° , Calculated: 26°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.310
Based on recorded range of RI values above.

Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.

Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.

Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Slightly pleochroic in green and yellow.

Chemistry of TerlinguaiteHide

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Mindat Formula:
[Hg3]4+Hg2+Cl2O2
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Hg88.633 %
Cl7.833 %
O3.535 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of TerlinguaiteHide

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Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 19.51 Å, b = 5.91 Å, c = 9.47 Å
β = 143.81°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 3.301 : 1 : 1.602
Unit Cell V:
644.75 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals prismatic [010] and often somewhat flattened on {001}; rarely prismatic in a pyramidal direction; also equidimensional, or thick tabular {001}. Pulverulent; massive aggregates of imperfect crystals (Dana, 7th. ed.: 53).
Comment:
C2/c (synthetic).

Crystallographic forms of TerlinguaiteHide

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Crystal Atlas:
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Terlinguaite no.7 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by www.smorf.nl.

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Crystal StructureHide

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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0011911TerlinguaiteAurivillius K, Folkmarson L (1968) The crystal structure of terlinguaite Hg4O2Cl2 Acta Chemica Scandinavica 22 2529-25401968Terlingua, Texas, USA0293
0015794TerlinguaiteBrodersen K, Gobel G, Liehr G (1989) Terlinguait Hg4O2Cl2 - ein mineral mit ungewohnlichen Hg3-baueinheiten Zeitschrift fur Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie 575 145-15319890293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

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Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.505 Å(100)
5.76 Å(80)
4.17 Å(80)
3.28 Å(80)
815 Å(80)
2.596 Å(80)
4.34 Å(60)
Comments:
Synthetic, ICDD 25-559.

Geological EnvironmentHide

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Paragenetic Mode(s):

Type Occurrence of TerlinguaiteHide

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General Appearance of Type Material:
Agglomeration of imperfect striated, bright yellow crystals. Less frequently as doubly terminated crystals to 1 mm in length.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Muséum Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France, number 1041203.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Secondary mineral in a hydrothermal mercury deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Other Language Names for TerlinguaiteHide

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Common AssociatesHide

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Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
10 photos of Terlinguaite associated with CinnabarHgS
7 photos of Terlinguaite associated with MontroyditeHgO
7 photos of Terlinguaite associated with 'CCUK-8'(Hg, CrO4, S, H2O)?
5 photos of Terlinguaite associated with QuartzSiO2
5 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Calomel[Hg2]2+Cl2
4 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Eglestonite[Hg2]2+3OCl3(OH)
3 photos of Terlinguaite associated with GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
2 photos of Terlinguaite associated with Kleinite(Hg2N)(Cl,SO4) · nH2O
1 photo of Terlinguaite associated with CalciteCaCO3
1 photo of Terlinguaite associated with Edgarbaileyite[Hg2]2+3[Si2O7]

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

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3.DD.Mikecoxite[CHg4]OCl2Mon. 2/m
3.DD.05Eglestonite[Hg2]2+3OCl3(OH)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Ia3d
3.DD.05Kadyrelite[Hg2]2+3OBr3(OH)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Ia3d
3.DD.10Poyarkovite[Hg2]2+3Cl2O2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
3.DD.15Hanawaltite[Hg2]2+3Hg2+(Cl,OH)2O3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
3.DD.25PinchiteHg2+5Cl2O4Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Ibam
3.DD.30Gianellaite[(Hg2N)2](SO4)(H2O)xIso. 43m : F43m
3.DD.30Mosesite(Hg2N)(Cl,SO4,MoO4) · H2OIso. 43m : F43m
3.DD.35Kleinite(Hg2N)(Cl,SO4) · nH2OHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
3.DD.40Tedhadleyite[Hg2]2+5Hg2+I2(Cl,Br)2O4Tric. 1
3.DD.45Vasilyevite[Hg2]2+10I3Br2Cl[CO3]O6Tric. 1 : P1
3.DD.50Aurivilliusite[Hg2]2+Hg2+2(I,Br,Cl)2O2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
3.DD.55TerlinguacreekiteHg2+3Cl2O2Orth.
3.DD.60Kelyanite[Hg]2+6Sb3+BrCl2O6Trig. 3 : P3
3.DD.65ComancheiteHg2+55N3-24(NH2,OH)4(Cl,Br)34Orth.
3.DD.70GaildunningiteHg2+3[NHg2+2]18(Cl,I,OH,Br,S)24Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)

Other InformationHide

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Notes:
Turns black immediately when treated with hydrogen sulfide. Ammonia causes a slower change to black. Decomposed with separation of calomel by acetic, hydrochloric, and nitric acids.
Health Risks:
Contains mercury - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest.

Internet Links for TerlinguaiteHide

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mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3914.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

References for TerlinguaiteHide

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Reference List:

Localities for TerlinguaiteHide

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Showing 27 localities.

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

Locality ListHide

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👁 Image
- This locality has map coordinates listed. 👁 Image
- This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. 👁 Image
- Good crystals or important locality for species. 👁 Image
- 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.
Austria
  • Tyrol
    • Kufstein District
      • Reith im Alpbachtal
        • Geyer - Silberberg District
          • Silberberg
Schnorrer et al. (2002)
Germany
  • Rhineland-Palatinate
    • Donnersbergkreis
      • Nordpfälzer Land
        • Obermoschel
Heidtke (2001)
Stephan Wolfsried collection
Dreyer (1975)
Kyrgyzstan
  • Batken Region
    • Kadamjay District
      • Aydarken
[Lapis 11:11-24] +2 other references
Kolesar et al. (1993)
Mexico
  • Guerrero
    • Taxco de Alarcón
Gallagher et al. (1948)
Panczner (1987)
Panczner (1987)
Panczner (1987)
  • San Luis Potosí
    • Moctezuma Municipality
      • Moctezuma
        • Hacienda de Santa Antonio de Rul
Percy Babb (1909) +1 other reference
Russia
  • Tuva
    • Pi-Khem District
      • Uyuk Range
Canadian Mineralogist Feb. 1999 +1 other reference
        • Oorash-Khem River Valley
Pervukhina et al. (2003)
Spain
  • Extremadura
    • Badajoz
      • Usagre
Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022) +1 other reference
USA
  • Arkansas
    • Pike County
Roberts et al. (2003)
  • California
    • Kings County
Bailey (1942) +2 other references
    • San Benito County
      • Goat Mountain
Dunning et al. (2005)
    • San Mateo County
      • Redwood City
Dunning
Murdoch (1966)
  • Nevada
    • Humboldt County
      • Opalite Mining District
Rocks & Minerals. Nov. 1999.
      • Poverty Peak Mining District
Castor et al. (2004)
Castor et al. (2004)
  • Oregon
    • Malheur County
McCormack (2000)
  • Texas
    • Brewster County
Rocks & Minerals: 66 (3)
Smith (1991)
Kelly Nash Collection
Mining & Scientific Press +3 other references
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