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Formula: Hg1+4Hg2+O2(CrO4)
Anhydrous chromate of mercury
Specific gravity: 8.91 calculated
Hardness: 4½
Streak: Dark brick-red
Colour: Dark red-brown to black
Luminescence: Not fluorescent in UV
Solubility: Soluble in cold dilute hydrochloric acid giving a precipitate of
calomel
Environments
Localities
At the type locality, the Clear Creek claim, Goat Mountain, New Idria Mining District, San Benito county,
California, USA, wattersite occurs in altered serpentinite
as thin shell-like aggregates and discrete crystals in the mercury deposit.
Associated minerals include quartz,
opal, magnesite,
cinnabar, mercury, and numerous
other minerals, including several rare mercury-bearing species
(AM 77.672).
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