Mineral Factbook

Coloradoite

HgTeIMA symbol: Clrgrandfathered

Coloradoite is a sulfide or sulfosalt mineral with the formula HgTe, crystallizing in the cubic system. It has a Mohs hardness of 3, typically black or gray in color, with a metallic luster, a specific gravity of 8.627. Its streak is black.

Photos

Coloradoite specimen photo
Pacific Museum of Earth from Canada · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Commons
Coloradoite specimen photo
Kritzolina · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Coloradoite specimen photo
Kritzolina · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Coloradoite specimen photo
Kritzolina · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

Crystallography

Crystal systemcubic crystal systemWikidata (CC0)
Space groupF -4 3 m
Cell (Å, °)a = 6.429, b = 6.429, c = 6.429; α = 90, β = 90, γ = 90
Cell volume265.724 ų, Z = 4
Axial ratios1.0000:1:1.0000calculated from COD 9008850
Source structureCOD 9008850 (Crystal Structures, 1963) — 1 of 3 structures

Powder X-ray diffraction (calculated)

2θ (degrees, Cu Kα1)I/I₀ (max 100)
d (Å)3.7122.2731.9381.3121.4751.237
I/I₀10077.651.227.221.216.1

xrd-v1: CuKa1 1.5406A, 2theta 5-90, top10, Imax=100, no DW/PO. Computed from COD 9008850; idealized occupancies, no preferred orientation.

Physical properties

Density (calculated)8.204 g/cm³calculated from COD 9008850
Hardness (Mohs)
3single sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892)
Specific gravity
8.627 g/cm3corroboratedDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892)
Color
black, graysingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892)
Streak
blacksingle sourceWikidata (CC0)
Luster
metallicsingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892)

Chemistry (calculated)

Molecular weight328.19 g/molcalculated from the IMA formula
Composition (wt%)Hg 61.12%, Te 38.88%

Classification

Nickel-Strunz (10th)2.CB.05aWikidata (CC0)
Nickel-Strunz (9th)2.CB.05aWikidata (CC0)