Artsmithite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page kindly sponsored by Tony Nikischer
About Artsmithite
Formula:
[Hg2]2+2Al(PO4)1.74(OH)1.78
generalized as Hg4Al(PO4)2–x(OH)1+3x (x=0.26)
Colour:
Colorless
Lustre:
Adamantine, Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
6.40 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For Mr. Arthur E. Smith Jr. (1935-2009), American petroleum geologist and mineral collector, who originally found the material.
Type Locality:
Unique combination of elements; the only known natural mercury phosphate and a rare example of natural Hg oxysalt. The mineral also represents the first reported Hg-Al phosphate, either natural or synthetic.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
26878
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:26878:9
IMA Classification of Artsmithite
Classification of Artsmithite
8.BO.40
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
O : With only large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 about 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
O : With only large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 about 1:1
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Ash | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Artsmithite
Adamantine, Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
Off white to cream
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Comment:
needles are flexible
Density:
6.40 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Artsmithite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
n = >1.80
2V:
Measured: 60°
Birefringence:
Very low.
Surface Relief:
Unknown
Dispersion:
Distinct, r < v.
Optical Extinction:
Parallel extinction; length-slow with Z ≈ c.
Chemistry of Artsmithite
Mindat Formula:
[Hg2]2+2Al(PO4)1.74(OH)1.78
generalized as Hg4Al(PO4)2–x(OH)1+3x (x=0.26)
generalized as Hg4Al(PO4)2–x(OH)1+3x (x=0.26)
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Artsmithite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 17.022 Å, b = 9.074 Å, c = 7.015 Å
β = 101.2°
β = 101.2°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.876 : 1 : 0.773
Unit Cell V:
1062.9 ų
Z:
4
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.326 Å | (100) |
| 4.739 Å | (50) |
| 4.166 Å | (40) |
| 2.979 Å | (80) |
| 2.952 Å | (50) |
| 2.784 Å | (80) |
| 2.660 Å | (75) |
| 1.755 Å | (50) |
Comments:
Funderburk prospect, Arkansas, USA. Data from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Artsmithite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Matted nest (3 x 1 mm) of fibrous to acicular crystals, 0.5 mm in length on average; the length-to-width ratio is over 100:1.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Mineral Collection at the Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fracture filling in Jackfork sandstone with other mercury minerals; likely a product of breakdown of primary cinnabar and apatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Artsmithite
Other Language Names for Artsmithite
Dutch:Artsmithiet
French:Artsmithite
German:Artsmithit
Norwegian:Artsmithitt
Simplified Chinese:羟磷铝汞石
Traditional Chinese:羥磷鋁汞石
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BO. | Ariegilatite | BaCa12(SiO4)4(PO4)2F2O |
| 8.BO. | Aravaite | Ba2Ca18(SiO4)6(PO4)3(CO3)F3O |
| 8.BO. | Theuerdankite | Ag3AsO4 |
| 8.BO.05 | Nacaphite | Na2Ca(PO4)F |
| 8.BO.10 | Petitjeanite | Bi3(PO4)2O(OH) |
| 8.BO.10 | Schumacherite | Bi3(VO4)2O(OH) |
| 8.BO.10 | Preisingerite | Bi3(AsO4)2O(OH) |
| 8.BO.15 | Hechtsbergite | Bi2(VO4)O(OH) |
| 8.BO.15 | Smrkovecite | Bi2(PO4)O(OH) |
| 8.BO.15 | Atelestite | Bi2(AsO4)O(OH) |
| 8.BO.20 | Sahlinite | Pb14(AsO4)2O9Cl4 |
| 8.BO.20 | Kombatite | Pb14(VO4)2O9Cl4 |
| 8.BO.25 | Heneuite | CaMg5(CO3)(PO4)3(OH) |
| 8.BO.30 | Nefedovite | Na5Ca4(PO4)4F |
| 8.BO.35 | Kuznetsovite | [Hg2]2+Hg2+[AsO4]Cl |
| 8.BO.45 | Schlegelite | Bi7(AsO4)3(MoO4)2O4 |
| 8.BO.50 | Hereroite | [Pb32(O,◻)21](AsO4)2[(Si,As,V,Mo)O4]2Cl10 |
| 8.BO.50 | Erikjonssonite | (Pb32O21)[(V,Si,Mo,As)O4]4Cl9 |
| 8.BO.55 | Rudabányaite | (Ag2Hg2)(AsO4)Cl |
| 8.BO.60 | Segerstromite | Ca3(As5+O4)2[As3+(OH)3]2 |
| 8.BO.65 | Wiklundite | Pb2(Mn2+,Zn)3(Fe3+,Mn2+)2(Mn2+,Mg)19(As3+O3)2[(Si,As5+)O4]6(OH)18Cl6 |
Fluorescence of Artsmithite
None.
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
[cm-1]: 3218sh, 3332sh, 3455, 3636 (OH stretching), 1638w (H-O-H bending); 1065, 1009, 976, 921 (phosphate groups).
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 Artsmithite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-26878.html
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References for Artsmithite
Localities for Artsmithite
Showing 1 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
USA (TL) | |
| Roberts et al. (2003) |
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Funderburk prospect, Pike County, Arkansas, USA