Playfairite

Playfairite is a rare sulfosalt mineral with chemical formula Pb16Sb18S43 in the monoclinic crystal system,[2][3] named after the Scottish scientist and mathematician John Playfair.[4] It was discovered in 1966 by the Canadian mineralogist John Leslie Jambor.[1][5][6] Lead gray to black in color, its luster is metallic. Playfairite shows strong reflection pleochroism from white to brownish gray. Playfairite has a hardness of 3.5 to 4 on Mohs scale and a specific gravity of approximately 5.72.[2]

Playfairite
General
CategorySulfosalt minerals, Sulfides
Formula
(repeating unit)		Pb16Sb18S43
Strunz classification2.LB.30 (10 ed)
2/E.20-40 (8 ed)
Dana classification3.6.4.1
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Unknown space group
Identification
ColorLead gray to black
CleavagePerfect
Mohs scale hardness3.5-4
LusterMetallic
StreakBlack
Specific gravity5.72
PleochroismStrong reflection
References[1]

The type locality is Taylor Pit (Concession XIV; Lot 13), Huntingdon Township, Hastings County in Ontario, Canada.[2] Small deposits have also been found in Les Cougnasses Mine, Orpierre in the Haut-Alpes in France, Khaidarkan Sb-Hg deposit (Chaidarkan), Fergana Valley, Alai Range, Osh Oblast, Kyrgyzstan and Reese River District, Lander County, Nevada, USA.[2]

See also

References
  1. J.L. Jambor (1967) New lead sulfantimonides from Madoc, Ontario; Part 2, Mineral descriptions, Canadian Mineralogist, vol. 9, 194-6
  2. Mindat information page for Playfairite
  3. Webmineral information page for Playfairite
  4. Handbook of Mineralogy information page for Playfairite
  5. Michael Fleischer (1968), "New Mineral Names" (PDF), American Mineralogist, 53: 1424
  6. Lynne Jambor and John Dutrizac (2008), Memorial of John L. Jambor (1936-2008), American Mineralogist, vol. 93, pp. 710-712
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