Playfairite

Playfairite
General
Category Sulfosalt minerals, Sulfides
Formula
(repeating unit)		 Pb16Sb18S43
Strunz classification 02.LB.30
2/E.20-40
Dana classification 3.6.4.1
Crystal system Monoclinic
Identification
Color Lead gray to black
Cleavage Perfect
Mohs scale hardness 3.5-4
Luster Metallic
Streak Black
Density 5.72
Pleochroism Strong reflection
References [1]

Playfairite is a very rare sulfosalt mineral with chemical formula Pb16Sb18S43 in the monoclinic crystal system,[2][3] named after the Scottish scientist and mathematician John Playfair.[4] It was discovered in 1966 by the Canadian mineralogist John Leslie Jambor.[1][5][6] Lead gray to black in color, its luster is metallic. Playfairite shows strong reflection pleochroism from white to brownish gray. Playfairite has a hardness of 3.5 to 4 on Mohs scale and a density of approximately 6.44.[2]

The type locality is Taylor Pit (Concession XIV; Lot 13), Huntingdon Township, Madoc Area, Hastings Co., Ontario, Canada.[2] Small deposits have also been found in Les Cougnasses Mine, Orpierre, Hautes-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Khaidarkan Sb-Hg deposit (Chaidarkan), Fergana Valley, Alai Range, Osh Oblast, Kyrgyzstan and Reese River District, Lander Co., Nevada, US.[2]

See also

List of minerals (complete)

References

  1. 1 2 J.L. Jambor (1967) New lead sulfantimonides from Madoc, Ontario; Part 2, Mineral descriptions, Canadian Mineralogist, vol. 9, 194-6
  2. 1 2 3 4 Mindat information page for Playfairite
  3. ↑ Webmineral information page for Playfairite
  4. ↑ Handbook of Mineralogy information page for Playfairite
  5. ↑ Michael Fleischer (1968), New Mineral Names, American Mineralogist, vol. 53, pp. 1424
  6. ↑ Lynne Jambor and John Dutrizac (2008), Memorial of John L. Jambor (1936-2008), American Mineralogist, vol. 93, pp. 710-712
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