Livingstonite

(repeating unit)HgSb4S8IMA symbolLst[1]Strunz classification2.HA.15Crystal systemMonoclinicCrystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)Space groupA2/aUnit cella = 30.567(6), b = 4.015(1)
c = 21.465(3) [Å]; β = 103.39°; Z = 8IdentificationColorBlackish gray; in polished section, white; red in transmitted light, with deep red internal reflectionsCrystal habitAs needles elongated [010], to 12 cm; also fibrous, massive, columnar, and in globular masses and interlaced needles.CleavagePerfect on {001}, poor on {010} and {100}FractureUneven, flat surfacesTenacityFlexibleMohs scale hardness2LusterAdamantine to metallicStreakRedDiaphaneityOpaque, translucent in thin fragmentsSpecific gravity4.8 – 4.88 meas. 4.98 calc.Optical propertiesBiaxial (–)Refractive index>= 2.72PleochroismWeak; strongly anisotropicReferences[2][3][4]

Livingstonite is a mercury antimony sulfosalt mineral. It occurs in low-temperature hydrothermal veins associated with cinnabar, stibnite, sulfur and gypsum.

It was first described in 1874 for an occurrence in Huitzuco de los Figueroa, Guerrero, Mexico. It was named to honor Scottish explorer of Africa, David Livingstone.[5]

Its crystal structure was determined in 1957[6] and redetermined in 1975.[7]

References

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/livingstonite.pdf Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. ^ http://www.mindat.org/min-2424.html Mindat
  4. ^ http://webmineral.com/data/Livingstonite.shtml Webmineral data
  5. ^ Barcena, M (1874). "On livingstonite, a new mineral". American Journal of Science. 108: 145–146.
  6. ^ Niizeki, N.; Buerger, M.J. (1957). "The crystal structure of livingstonite, HgSb4S8". Zeitschrift für Kristallographie. 109 (1–6): 129–157. Bibcode:1957ZK....109..129N. doi:10.1524/zkri.1957.109.1-6.129. S2CID 96358610.
  7. ^ Srikrishnan, T.; Nowacki, W. (1975). "A redetermination of the crystal structure of livingstonite, HgSb4S8". Zeitschrift für Kristallographie. 141 (3–4): 174–192. Bibcode:1975ZK....141..174S. doi:10.1524/zkri.1975.141.3-4.174.
  • Palache, C., H. Berman, and C. Frondel (1944) Dana's system of mineralogy, (7th edition), v. I, 485–486
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Livingstonite.


  • v
  • t
  • e