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Eskimoite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About EskimoiteHide

Formula:
Ag7Pb10Bi15S36
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
7.12 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named for the 'Eskimos', an exonym for, in this case, the the Inuit people, the first settlers of Greenland. The term Eskimo is now considered pejorative.
An eskimoite with a quadrupled b-axis (4x 4.093 A) is decribed by Ertl et al. (1994).


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1410
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1410:2

IMA Classification of EskimoiteHide

Classification of EskimoiteHide

2.JB.40b

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
J : Sulfosalts of PbS archetype
B : Galena derivatives, with Pb
3.6.2.1

3 : SULFOSALTS
6 : 2 < ø < 2.49
5.7.26

5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
7 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Pb and other metals

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

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

Pronunciation of EskimoiteHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of EskimoiteHide

Transparency:
Opaque
Hardness:
Hardness:
VHN50=162 - 223 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Density:
7.12 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of EskimoiteHide

Anisotropism:
Distinct to strong , light gray to steel bluish black
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)R2 (%)
481nm45.4%48.2%
546nm43.7%46.5%
589nm42.8%45.6%
644nm42.0%44.8%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 48.2%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Galena white
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
absent to weak in oil, absent in air.

Chemistry of EskimoiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Ag7Pb10Bi15S36
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Bi44.051 %
Pb29.117 %
S16.222 %
Ag10.611 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Common Impurities:
Cu

Crystallography of EskimoiteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 30.194(8) Å, b = 4.100(5) Å, c = 13.495(5) Å
β = 93.35(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 7.364 : 1 : 3.291
Unit Cell V:
1,667.76 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Lamellar grains.
Twinning:
On {010}, twin lamellae parallel to [001] often present
Comment:
Original description used a B-centred, non-standard cell setting (gamma = monoclinic angle).

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.36 Å(100)
2.87 Å(60)
2.96 Å(50)
2.05 Å(50)
1.754 Å(50)
2.08 Å(40)
1.667 Å(40)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])

Type Occurrence of EskimoiteHide

Synonyms of EskimoiteHide

Other Language Names for EskimoiteHide

Dutch:Eskimoiet
German:Eskimoit
Spanish:Eskimoita

Relationship of Eskimoite to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of Lillianite Homologous Series:
AndreadiniiteCuHgAg7Pb7Sb24S48Mon. 2/m : P21/b
ArsenquatrandoriteAg17.6Pb12.8Sb38.1As11.5S96Mon. 2/m : P21/b
AschamalmitePb6-3xBi2+xS9Mon. 2/m : B2/m
BaiamareiteAg4Pb12Fe4Sb20S48Mon. 2/m
BrusnitsyniteMn3CuPbAs3Sb2S12Mon. 2/m : P21/b
Clino-oscarkempffiteAg15Pb6Sb21Bi18S72Mon. 2/m : P21/b
ErzwiesiteAg8Pb12Bi16S40Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
FizélyiteAg5Pb14Sb21S48 Mon. 2/m
GustaviteAgPbBi3S6Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
HeyrovskýitePb6Bi2S9Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cccm
HolubiteAg3Pb6(Sb8Bi3)S24Mon. 2/m
JasrouxiteAg16Pb4(Sb25As15)S72Tric. 1 : P1
LasmanisiteAg12Pb13Mn11Sb44S96Orth. 222 : P212121
LazerckeriteAg3.75Pb4.50(Sb7.75Bi4)S24Mon. 2/m : P21/b
LillianitePb3-2xAgxBi2+xS6Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
MenchettiiteAgPb2.40Mn1.60Sb3As2S12Mon. 2/m : P21/b
OscarkempffiteAg10Pb4(Sb17Bi9)S48Orth. mm2
OurayiteAg3Pb4Bi5S13Orth.
OyoniteAg3Mn2Pb4Sb7As4S24Mon. 2/m
QuatrandoriteAgPbSb3S6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
RamdohritePb5.9Fe0.1Mn0.1In0.1Cd0.2Ag2.8Sb10.8S24Mon. 2/m
RoshchiniteAg19Pb10Sb51S96Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
'Schirmerite'PbAgBi3S6 - Pb3Ag1.5Bi3.5S9Orth.
SenandoriteAgPbSb3S6Orth. mm2 : Pmn21
StaročeskéiteAg0.70Pb1.60(Bi1.35Sb1.35)Σ2.70S6Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
TarutinoiteAg3Pb7Bi7S19Mon. 2/m : B2/m
TerrywallaceiteAgPb(Sb,Bi)3S6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
TreasuriteAg7Pb6Bi15S32Mon.
UchucchacuaiteAgMnPb3Sb5S12Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmm
UstarasitePb(Bi,Sb)6S10 (?)
VikingiteAg5Pb8Bi13S30Mon. 2/m : B2/m
XilingolitePb3Bi2S6Mon.

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
4 photos of Eskimoite associated with PyriteFeS2
4 photos of Eskimoite associated with QuartzSiO2
3 photos of Eskimoite associated with ProustiteAg3AsS3
2 photos of Eskimoite associated with GustaviteAgPbBi3S6
2 photos of Eskimoite associated with AramayoiteAg3Sb2(Bi,Sb)S6
2 photos of Eskimoite associated with JordanitePb14As6S23
2 photos of Eskimoite associated with CassiteriteSnO2
2 photos of Eskimoite associated with PreisingeriteBi3(AsO4)2O(OH)
1 photo of Eskimoite associated with PavoniteAgBi3S5
1 photo of Eskimoite associated with KobellitePb22Cu4(Bi,Sb)30S69

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.JB.Clino-oscarkempffiteAg15Pb6Sb21Bi18S72Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.ArsenquatrandoriteAg17.6Pb12.8Sb38.1As11.5S96Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.GinelfiteAg2(Ag0.5Fe)TlPb23.5(Sb,As)33.5S76Tric. 1 : P1
2.JB.AndreadiniiteCuHgAg7Pb7Sb24S48Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.ChukotkaiteAgPb7Sb5S15Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.SelenojunoiteCu2Pb3Bi8Se16Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.LechneriteAg10Cu4HgPb33Sb58S128Tric. 1 : P1
2.JB.Cuprosenandorite Ag16Cu8Pb24Sb72S144Orth. mm2 : Pna21
2.JB.MorleyiteAg2CuPb25Sb24As4S68.5Tric. 1 : P1
2.JB.LazerckeriteAg3.75Pb4.50(Sb7.75Bi4)S24Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.LasmanisiteAg12Pb13Mn11Sb44S96Orth. 222 : P212121
2.JB.MontpelvouxiteAgPb16Sb27As18S84Tric. 1 : P1
2.JB.SenandoriteAgPbSb3S6Orth. mm2 : Pmn21
2.JB.OscarkempffiteAg10Pb4(Sb17Bi9)S48Orth. mm2
2.JB.05DiaphoriteAg3Pb2Sb3S8Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.10CosalitePb2Bi2S5Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.JB.15MarriteAgPbAsS3Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.15FreieslebeniteAgPbSbS3Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.20CannizzaritePb48Bi56S132Mon. 2/m : P21/m
2.JB.20WittitePb9Bi12(S,Se)27Mon.
2.JB.25jRouxeliteCu2HgPb23Sb27S65.5Tric. 1 : P1
2.JB.25iNeyiteAg2Cu6Pb25Bi26S68Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.25aJunoiteCu2Pb3Bi8(S,Se)16Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.25fÁngelaiteCu2AgPbBiS4Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
2.JB.25eGalenobismutitePbBi2S4Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.JB.25cNordströmiteCuPb3Bi7(Se4S10)Mon. 2/m : P21/m
2.JB.25iCuproneyiteCu7Pb27Bi25S68Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.25gNuffielditeCu1.4Pb2.4Bi2.4Sb0.2S7Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.JB.25hWeibullitePb5Bi8Se7S11Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
2.JB.25dProuditeCuPb7.5Bi9.33(S,Se)22Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.25bFelbertaliteCu2Pb6Bi8S19Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.30aJordanitePb14As6S23Mon. 2/m : P21/m
2.JB.30aGeocronitePb14Sb6S23Mon. 2/m : P21/m
2.JB.30aArsenmarcobaldiitePb12(As3.2Sb2.8)Σ6S21Tric. 1 : P1
2.JB.30bKirkiitePb10Bi3As3S19Mon. 2/m : P21/m
2.JB.30cTsugaruitePb28As15S50ClOrth. mm2 : Pnn2
2.JB.30aMarcobaldiitePb12(Sb3As2Bi)Σ6S21Tric. 1 : P1
2.JB.35dPellouxite(Cu,Ag)Pb10Sb12S27O(Cl,S)0.6Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.35eChovanitePb15-2xSb14+2xS36Ox (x ~ 0.2)Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.35aZinkenitePb9Sb22S42Hex. 6 : P63
2.JB.35cPillaitePb9Sb10S23ClO0.5Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.35bScainiitePb14Sb30S54O5Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.35fTubuliteAg2Pb22Sb20S53 Mon. m : Pb
2.JB.40aFizélyiteAg5Pb14Sb21S48 Mon. 2/m
2.JB.40aRamdohritePb5.9Fe0.1Mn0.1In0.1Cd0.2Ag2.8Sb10.8S24Mon. 2/m
2.JB.40eUstarasitePb(Bi,Sb)6S10 (?)
2.JB.40a'Bursaite'Pb5Bi4S11 (?)Orth.
2.JB.40'UM1988-05-S:AgBiCuHgPb'(Hg,Ag,Cu,Pb)5Pb5Bi11S27
2.JB.40'UM1988-06-S:AgBiCuHgPb'(Pb,Hg)12(Cu,Ag)3(Bi,Sb)10(S,Te)27
2.JB.40aTerrywallaceiteAgPb(Sb,Bi)3S6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.40aJasrouxiteAg16Pb4(Sb25As15)S72Tric. 1 : P1
2.JB.40aTarutinoiteAg3Pb7Bi7S19Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.40aOyoniteAg3Mn2Pb4Sb7As4S24Mon. 2/m
2.JB.40bHeyrovskýitePb6Bi2S9Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cccm
2.JB.40aQuatrandoriteAgPbSb3S6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.40aErzwiesiteAg8Pb12Bi16S40Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
2.JB.40aVikingiteAg5Pb8Bi13S30Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.40aLillianitePb3-2xAgxBi2+xS6Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.JB.40bBaiamareiteAg4Pb12Fe4Sb20S48Mon. 2/m
2.JB.40aStaročeskéiteAg0.70Pb1.60(Bi1.35Sb1.35)Σ2.70S6Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
2.JB.40aRoshchiniteAg19Pb10Sb51S96Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
2.JB.40bAschamalmitePb6-3xBi2+xS9Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.40aMenchettiiteAgPb2.40Mn1.60Sb3As2S12Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.40aHolubiteAg3Pb6(Sb8Bi3)S24Mon. 2/m
2.JB.40aBrusnitsyniteMn3CuPbAs3Sb2S12Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.40aTreasuriteAg7Pb6Bi15S32Mon.
2.JB.40cOurayiteAg3Pb4Bi5S13Orth.
2.JB.40aUchucchacuaiteAgMnPb3Sb5S12Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmm
2.JB.40d'Schirmerite'PbAgBi3S6 - Pb3Ag1.5Bi3.5S9Orth.
2.JB.40aXilingolitePb3Bi2S6Mon.
2.JB.40aGustaviteAgPbBi3S6Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.JB.55GratonitePb9As4S15Trig. 3m : R3m
2.JB.60MarrucciiteHg3Pb16Sb18S46Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.65VurroitePb20Sn2(Bi,As)22S54Cl6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
2.JB.65TazieffitePb20Cd2(As,Bi)22S50Cl10Mon. 2/m : B2/b
2.JB.70DaliranitePbHgAs2S5Mon.

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Internet Links for EskimoiteHide

References for EskimoiteHide

Localities for EskimoiteHide

Showing 28 localities.

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

- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. - Good crystals or important locality for species. - 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
 
  • Carinthia
    • Spittal an der Drau District
      • Großkirchheim
        • Zirknitz
          • Große Zirknitz valley
Pichler (2009)
  • Salzburg
    • St. Johann im Pongau District
      • Bad Hofgastein
Makovicky et al. (2010)
Topa et al. (2026)
    • Zell am See District
      • Rauris
        • Alteck - Hoher Sonnblick area
          • Kolm-Saigurn
Ertl et al. (1994)
Bulgaria
 
  • Haskovo Province
    • Topolovgrad Municipality
Страшимиров et al. (2009)
China
 
  • Liaoning
    • Dandong
      • Zhen'an District
        • Wulong orefield
Feng et al. (2023)
Czech Republic
 
  • Central Bohemian Region
Pažout (2017)
      • Kutná Hora
Pažout et al. (2017) +1 other reference
France
 
  • Pays de la Loire
    • Loire-Atlantique
      • Nantes
        • Bouguenais
          • La Roche-Ballue
Moëlo et al. (1987)
Germany
 
  • Baden-Württemberg
    • Karlsruhe Region
      • Freudenstadt
        • Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach
          • Wildschapbach valley
Staude et al. (2010)
Greenland (TL)
 
  • Sermersooq
    • Arsuk Fjord
      • Ivigtut stock
Makovicky et al. (1977) +1 other reference
Hungary
 
  • Pest County
    • Szob District
collected by Gábor Koller +1 other reference
Japan
 
  • Hyogo Prefecture
    • Asago City
      • Ikuno-cho-ono
Suzuki et al. (2011)
Portugal
 
  • Viana do Castelo
    • Ponte da Barca
      • Touvedo (São Lourenço e Salvador)
Leal Gomes et al. (2009)
    • Ponte de Lima
      • Estorãos
Leal Gomes
  • Vila Real
    • Boticas
      • Ardãos e Bobadela
Fuertes-Fuente et al. (2016)
  • Viseu
    • São Pedro do Sul
      • Manhouce
Alves (n.d.)
Romania
 
  • Maramureș County
    • Băiuț
Cook (1998)
Russia
 
  • Chelyabinsk Oblast
    • Kaslinsky District
Kasatkin et al. (2025)
Slovakia
 
  • Banská Bystrica Region
    • Banská Štiavnica District
Chovan M. et al. (2021)
Mikuš et al. (2026)
USA
 
  • California
    • Inyo County
      • Darwin Hills
        • Darwin Mining District
          • Darwin
Foord et al. (1989)
Dunning et al. (2000)
  • Colorado
    • Ouray County
Foord et al. (1989) +1 other reference
    • Summit County
      • Montezuma Area
Eckel et al. (1997)
  • Montana
    • Flathead County
      • Hog Heaven Mining District (Flathead Mining District)
        • Kofford Ridge
...
  • Nevada
    • Nye County
      • Toquima Range
Castor et al. (2004)
Uzbekistan
 
  • Tashkent Region
    • Ohangaron District
Anthony et al. (1990) +1 other reference
 
and/or  
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