Hansblockite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Hansblockite
Hans Block Sr
Formula:
(Cu,Hg)(Bi,Pb)Se2
Colour:
Black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named by H.-J. Förster, L. Bindi, C.J. Stanley, and G. Grundmann in 2015 in honour of Hans Block (31 March 1881, Stassfurt, Germany - 9 August 1953, Oruro, Bolivia), mining and geology engineer, for his important role connected with Bolivian ore mining. Over his career, he was the manager of numerous mines, Professor and later Dean of the National Faculty of Engineering in Oruro, and member of the Commission for the Nationalization of Mines. He oversaw the construction of many mines, roads, hospitals, and hydroelectric dams.
Dimorph of:
The monoclinic structure is stabilized by Hg and Pb.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
47037
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:47037:5
IMA Classification of Hansblockite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(Cu1+,Hg2+)(Bi3+,Pb2+)Se2-2
Approval year:
2016
First published:
2017
Type description reference:
Classification of Hansblockite
2.HA.05
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
H : Sulfosalts of SnS archetype
A : With Cu, Ag, Fe (without Pb)
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
H : Sulfosalts of SnS archetype
A : With Cu, Ag, Fe (without Pb)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hbk | 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 Hansblockite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Black
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN20=37 - 50 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Parting:
no
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Comment:
8.26 g/cm3
Optical Data of Hansblockite
Anisotropism:
Weak, with khaki to pale blue rotation tints
Bireflectance:
Weak
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 46.7% | 46.9% |
| 420nm | 46.9% | 47.1% |
| 440nm | 47.1% | 47.4% |
| 460nm | 47.3% | 47.9% |
| 470nm | 47.3% | 48.1% |
| 480nm | 47.4% | 48.4% |
| 500nm | 47.4% | 48.7% |
| 520nm | 47.4% | 48.9% |
| 540nm | 47.4% | 49.0% |
| 546nm | 47.4% | 49.0% |
| 560nm | 47.3% | 49.0% |
| 580nm | 47.2% | 49.0% |
| 589nm | 47.1% | 49.0% |
| 600nm | 47.0% | 48.9% |
| 620nm | 46.9% | 48.8% |
| 640nm | 46.7% | 48.6% |
| 650nm | 46.6% | 48.5% |
| 660nm | 46.5% | 48.4% |
| 680nm | 46.4% | 48.2% |
| 700nm | 46.3% | 48.0% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 49.0%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Cream to light grey
Internal Reflections:
None
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Greyish cream to cream
Chemistry of Hansblockite
Mindat Formula:
(Cu,Hg)(Bi,Pb)Se2
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Hg,Pb
Crystallography of Hansblockite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/c
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.853(1) Å, b = 7.635(2) Å, c = 7.264(1) Å
β = 97.68(1)°
β = 97.68(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.898 : 1 : 0.951
Unit Cell V:
376.66 ų
Z:
4
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.97 Å | (90) |
| 3.100 Å | (40) |
| 2.986 Å | (100) |
| 2.808 Å | (50) |
| 2.620 Å | (60) |
| 2.534 Å | (25) |
| 2.385 Å | (30) |
| 2.290 Å | (35) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Type Occurrence of Hansblockite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Thin plates in subparallel intergrowths with other selenides; as sub- to anhedral grains, up to 150 μm in length and 50 μm in width.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Collection of the Natural History Museum, London (catalogue number BM 2015,136).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Thinly-stratified, pyrite-rich black shales and reddish-grey, hematite-bearing siltstones of probably Devonian age, cut by a selenium-rich vein.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Hansblockite
Other Language Names for Hansblockite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 18 photos of Hansblockite associated with Klockmannite | CuSe |
| 17 photos of Hansblockite associated with Clausthalite | PbSe |
| 14 photos of Hansblockite associated with Quijarroite | Cu6HgPb2Bi4Se12 |
| 12 photos of Hansblockite associated with Penroseite | (Ni,Co,Cu)Se2 |
| 11 photos of Hansblockite associated with Kruťaite | CuSe2 |
| 9 photos of Hansblockite associated with Umangite | Cu3Se2 |
| 5 photos of Hansblockite associated with Eldragónite | Cu6BiSe4(Se2) |
| 4 photos of Hansblockite associated with Petrovicite | Cu3HgPbBiSe5 |
| 4 photos of Hansblockite associated with Eskebornite | CuFeSe2 |
| 2 photos of Hansblockite associated with Covellite | CuS |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.HA.05 | Grundmannite | CuBiSe2 |
| 2.HA.05 | Emplectite | CuBiS2 |
| 2.HA.05 | Příbramite | CuSbSe2 |
| 2.HA.05 | Chalcostibite | CuSbS2 |
| 2.HA.10 | Miargyrite | AgSbS2 |
| 2.HA.20 | Sunshuite | FeBi2S4 |
| 2.HA.20 | Garavellite | FeSbBiS4 |
| 2.HA.20 | Berthierite | FeSb2S4 |
| 2.HA.20 | Graţianite | MnBi2S4 |
| 2.HA.20 | Clerite | MnSb2S4 |
| 2.HA.25 | Aramayoite | Ag3Sb2(Bi,Sb)S6 |
| 2.HA.25 | Baumstarkite | Ag3Sb3S6 |
| 2.HA.30 | Zhonghongite | Cu29(As,Sb)12S33 |
Fluorescence of Hansblockite
non-fluorescent
Other Information
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 Hansblockite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-47037.html
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References for Hansblockite
Reference List:
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S.J. (2016) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2016, CNMNC Newsletter no 30. Mineralogical Magazine, 80 (2) 407-413 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.081
Localities for Hansblockite
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.
Bolivia (TL) | |
| Hålenius et al. (2016) +3 other references |
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El Dragón mine, Porco Municipality, Antonio Quijarro Province, Potosí, Bolivia