Jamesonite

jamesonite

stibnite

benavidesite

rhodochrosite

Images

Formula: Pb4FeSb6S14
Sulphosalt, forms a series with benavidesite
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 5.63 measured, 5.76 calculated
Hardness: 2½
Streak: Black, greyish
Colour: Grey-black; iridescent at times
Common impurities: Cu,Zn,Ag,Bi
Environments:

Hydrothermal environments

Jamesonite is typically a late stage hydrothermal mineral in lead - silver - zinc veins formed at low to moderate temperatures (Webmin), associated with other lead sulphosalts, pyrite, sphalerite, galena, tetrahedrite, stibnite, quartz, siderite, calcite, dolomite and rhodochrosite (HOM).

Localities

At the Adelaide Mine, Dundas, western Tasmania, Australia, below the zone of oxidation the ore consists of galena, sphalerite and pyrite in a gangue of manganese-rich siderite, dolomite and serpentine (AJM 12.2.66).

At Platt's Prospect, Dundas, western Tasmania, Australia, the sulphide ores consist mostly of galena, sphalerite and jamesonite (AJM 12.2.74).

At Llallagua, Bolivia, jamesonite is widespread in those veins that transect sedimentary rock. It has been found as inclusions in some fluorapatite and vivianite crystals (MinRec 37.2.140).

At the Dachang Sn-polymetallic ore field, Nandan County, Hechi, Guangxi, China, minerals of the jamesonite-benavidesite series have been found (CM 25.667-67).

At Yaogangxian, Yizhang county, Hunan, China, jamesonite has been found as inclusions in fluorite, and also as parallel bundles on quartz crystals (MinRec 42.6.587, R&M 80.1.54-55).

In the Taxco Mining District, Guerrero, Mexico, jamesonite occurs covering quartz (MinRec 42.5.430).

At Slate Creek, Custer county, Idaho, USA, jamesonite has been found on a quartz and siderite gangue with small amounts of pyrite and arsenopyrite (AM10.194-197).

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