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Szymańskiite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Szymańskiite
Formula:
[H3O]+8[Hg2]2+8(Ni,Mg)6[CO3]12(OH)12 · 3H2O
Colour:
Light blue-gray (fresh surfaces)
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
4.86 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named in recognition of Jan Tomasz Szymański (1938 - 15 December 2013), Canadian X-ray crystallographer, Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology (CANMET), Ottawa, for his many outstanding contributions to mineralogy and crystallography, including the solving of the crystal structure of the mineral named after him.
This page provides mineralogical data about Szymańskiite.
Name Encoding
CP1252:
Szymanskiite
Latin-1:
Szymanskiite
ASCII-7:
Szymanskiite
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3860
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3860:3
IMA Classification of Szymańskiite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Hg1+16Ni2+6(CO3)12(OH)12(H3O)8·3H2O
Approval year:
1989
First published:
1990
Classification of Szymańskiite
5.DB.30
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
B : With large and medium-sized cations
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
B : With large and medium-sized cations
16b.7.15.1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
11.14.12
11 : Carbonates
14 : Carbonates of Co and Ni
11 : Carbonates
14 : Carbonates of Co and Ni
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Szy | 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 Szymańskiite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Light blue-gray (fresh surfaces)
Comment:
darkening to black on exposure to air
Streak:
Pale blue
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
{1010}, poor.
{1010}, poor.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
4.86 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Szymańskiite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.795(3) nε = 1.786(3)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.009
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
O = yellowish green; E = bluish green.
Chemistry of Szymańskiite
Mindat Formula:
[H3O]+8[Hg2]2+8(Ni,Mg)6[CO3]12(OH)12 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Szymańskiite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
P63
Cell Parameters:
a = 17.3984(7) Å, c = 6.0078(4) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.345
Unit Cell V:
1,574.94 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 14.9 Å | (100) |
| 5.60 Å | (100) |
| 3.299 Å | (80) |
| 3.201 Å | (50) |
| 2.704 Å | (60) |
| 2.665 Å | (60) |
| 2.476 Å | (50) |
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 Szymańskiite
General Appearance of Type Material:
sprays of euhedral to subhedral prismatic crystals
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Canadian Geological Survey, Ottawa, Canada, 65743.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Szymańskiite
Other Language Names for Szymańskiite
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.DB. | Rigrahamite | Na2Ca2Th2(CO3)4(HCO3)2(OH)4(H2O)7 |
| 5.DB. | Grguricite | CaCr2(CO3)2(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 5.DB.05 | Para-alumohydrocalcite | CaAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 5.DB.05 | Nasledovite | PbMn3Al4(CO3)4(SO4)O5 · 5H2O |
| 5.DB.05 | 'UM1977-02-CO:AlCaH' | Ca6Al2(CO3)3O6 · 32H2O |
| 5.DB.05 | Alumohydrocalcite | CaAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Kochsándorite | CaAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Dresserite | BaAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Dundasite | PbAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | 'Unnamed (Ca-analogue of Petterdite)' | CaCr3+2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Petterdite | PbCr3+2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Strontiodresserite | SrAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Montroyalite | Sr4Al8(CO3)3(OH,F)26 · 10-11H2O |
| 5.DB.15 | Hydrodresserite | BaAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · 3H2O |
| 5.DB.20 | Schuilingite-(Nd) | PbCu(Nd,Gd,Sm,Y)(CO3)3(OH) · 1.5H2O |
| 5.DB.25 | Sergeevite | Ca2Mg11(CO3)9(HCO3)4(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 5.DB.35 | Lusernaite-(Y) | Y4Al(CO3)2(OH)10F · 6H2O |
| 5.DB.40 | Putnisite | SrCa4Cr3+8(CO3)8SO4(OH)16 · 23H2O |
Other Information
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Slowly darkens on exposure to light.
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 Szymańskiite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3860.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Szymańskiite
Localities for Szymańskiite
Showing 2 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.
Spain | |
| Joan Abella i Creus (Joanabellacreus@gmail.com) |
USA (TL) | |
| Roberts et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
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Clear Creek claim, Goat Mountain, San Benito County, California, USA