Wattersite
(repeating unit)Hg+14Hg+2Cr+6O6 IMA symbol Wte[1] Strunz classification 7.FB.15 Dana classification 35.4.2.1 Crystal system Monoclinic Crystal class 2/m Space group C2/c (number 15) Unit cell 859.81 ų Identification Color Dark red-brown to black Crystal habit Prismatic, aggregates, massive Twinning [001], contact twins on {100} Cleavage None Fracture Conchoidal Tenacity Brittle Mohs scale hardness 4.5 Luster Sub-Metallic Streak Brick red Diaphaneity Opaque Specific gravity 8.91 Optical properties Biaxial Refractive index nα = 2.440 - 2.520 nγ = 2.700 - 2.860 Birefringence δ = 0.260 - 0.340 Pleochroism Visible Dispersion r > v strong References [2][3][4]
Wattersite is a rare mercury chromate mineral with the formula Hg+14Hg+2Cr+6O6.[2] It occurs in association with native mercury and cinnabar in a hydrothermally altered serpentinite.[3] It was first described from Clear Creek claim, San Benito County, California, USA in 1961.[5] It was named to honor Californian mineral collector Lucius "Lu" Watters.[3]
References
- ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
- ^ a b "Wattersite". MinDat. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
- ^ a b c "Handbook of Mineralogy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2017-04-29.
- ^ Groat, L.A.; Roberts, A.C.; Le Page, Y. (1995). "The crystal structure of wattersite, Hg4HgCrO6". The Canadian Mineralogist. 33: 41–46.
- ^ Roberts, Andrew C.; Bonardi, Maurizio; Erd, Richard C.; Criddle, Alan J.; Le Page, Yvon (1991). "Wattersite Hg+14Hg+2Cr+6O6 a new mineral from the Clear Creek claim San Benito Country, California". The Mineralogical Record. 22: 269–272.