Crookesite

Crookesite
General
Category Selenide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Cu7(Tl,Ag)Se4
Strunz classification 02.BD.50
Identification
Color Lead-gray
Crystal habit As finely divided, disseminated specks, and as small veinlets.
Crystal system Tetragonal - Disphenoidal
Cleavage Good, two at right angles
Fracture Brittle
Mohs scale hardness 2.5–3
Luster Metallic
Diaphaneity Opaque
Specific gravity 6.90
References [1][2]

Crookesite is a selenide mineral composed of copper and selenium with variable thallium and silver.

Characteristics

Its chemical formula is reported either as Cu7(Tl,Ag)Se4 or (Cu,Tl,Ag)2Se.[3] It is formed by precipitation from hydrothermal fluids, and contains by mass: 16.3% Tl, 47.3% Cu, 2.9% Ag, and 33.6% Se.[1]

Crookesite is an opaque, bluish grey to pink toned brown metallic mineral crystallizing in the tetragonal system. It has a Mohs hardness of 2.5 to 3 and a specific gravity of 6.9.

Name and discovery

It was discovered in 1866 in Skrikerum, Sweden and named for Sir William Crookes (1832–1919), the discoverer of the element thallium.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Webmineral site
  2. Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. http://www.mindat.org/min-1159.html Mindat