Hedleyite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Hedleyite
Formula:
Bi7Te3
Colour:
Tin white
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
8.91
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named by H.V. Warren and M.A. Peacock, M.A. in 1945 for the small town of Hedley, British Columbia, Canada, near the type locality.
Relatively common member of the tetradymite group (Ciobanu et al., 2009).
Chemically closely related to ehrigite, Bi8Te3.
Tin white metallic plates with perfect basal cleavage, mm thick to cm in width. Crystals have hexagonal outline, often with trigonal growth features.
Impossible to visually identify. All species in the tetradymite group must be reliably analysed for positive identification.
One of many Bi-Te phases known. See also: UM1980-16-Te:Bi.
A solid solution series exists between tellurobismuthite and hedleyite (Brown and Lewis, 1962): “X-ray study shows that a single solid solution series exists from Te 32 at % to Te 60 at % in the system Bi-Te, which includes the minerals tellurobismuthite, wehrlite and hedleyite.”
Chemically closely related to ehrigite, Bi8Te3.
Tin white metallic plates with perfect basal cleavage, mm thick to cm in width. Crystals have hexagonal outline, often with trigonal growth features.
Impossible to visually identify. All species in the tetradymite group must be reliably analysed for positive identification.
One of many Bi-Te phases known. See also: UM1980-16-Te:Bi.
A solid solution series exists between tellurobismuthite and hedleyite (Brown and Lewis, 1962): “X-ray study shows that a single solid solution series exists from Te 32 at % to Te 60 at % in the system Bi-Te, which includes the minerals tellurobismuthite, wehrlite and hedleyite.”
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1843
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1843:8
Similar Names
| Hemleyite | A valid IMA mineral species | Fe2+SiO3 |
IMA Classification of Hedleyite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1945
Classification of Hedleyite
2.DC.05
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
D : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 3 :4 and 2:3
C : Variable M:S
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
D : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 3 :4 and 2:3
C : Variable M:S
2.6.3.3
2 : SULFIDES
6 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 4:3
2 : SULFIDES
6 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 4:3
3.7.28
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
7 : Sulphides etc. of V, As, Sb and Bi
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
7 : Sulphides etc. of V, As, Sb and Bi
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Hdl | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Hdl | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Pronunciation of Hedleyite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Hedleyite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Tin white
Comment:
tarnishes easily to iron black
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect Basal cleavage {0001}
Perfect Basal cleavage {0001}
Density:
8.91 g/cm3 (Measured) 8.93 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Hedleyite
Anisotropism:
Slight - light gray to dark gray
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 59.0% | 61.8% |
| 420nm | 59.3% | 62.5% |
| 440nm | 59.9% | 63.3% |
| 460nm | 60.5% | 64.0% |
| 480nm | 61.0% | 64.6% |
| 500nm | 61.3% | 65.0% |
| 520nm | 61.6% | 65.7% |
| 540nm | 61.7% | 66.2% |
| 560nm | 61.8% | 66.7% |
| 580nm | 62.0% | 67.3% |
| 600nm | 62.3% | 67.7% |
| 620nm | 62.6% | 68.1% |
| 640nm | 62.9% | 68.5% |
| 660nm | 63.1% | 68.6% |
| 680nm | 63.4% | 68.7% |
| 700nm | 63.6% | 68.9% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 68.9%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
White
Chemistry of Hedleyite
Mindat Formula:
Bi7Te3
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Se,S
Chemical Analysis
wt%
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| Bi | 80.95 % |
| Te | 17.59 % |
| Total: | 98.54 % |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indre Gressdal, Vaddas-Rieppe ore field, Nordreisa, Troms og Finnmark, Norway | Microprobe. S not detected |
Crystallography of Hedleyite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3m
Setting:
R3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.47 Å, c = 119.0 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 26.622
Unit Cell V:
2,059.17 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Morphology:
Platy masses
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.25 Å | (100) |
| 2.36 Å | (50) |
| 2.23 Å | (40) |
| 1.621 Å | (40) |
| 1.480 Å | (40) |
| 1.984 Å | (30) |
| 1.849 Å | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Type Occurrence of Hedleyite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M37250.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Polymetallic skarn (Hedley)
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Hedleyite
Relationship of Hedleyite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Tetradymite Group:
| Baksanite | Bi6Te2S3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| Ehrigite | Bi8Te3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Ikunolite | Bi4S3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Ingodite | Bi2TeS | Trig. |
| Joséite-A | Bi4TeS2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Joséite-B | Bi4Te2S | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Kawazulite | Bi2Te2Se | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Laitakarite | Bi4(Se,S)3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Paraguanajuatite | Bi2Se3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Pilsenite | Bi4Te3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Skippenite | Bi2TeSe2 | Trig. |
| Sulphotsumoite | Bi3Te2S | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3 1m |
| Tellurantimony | Sb2Te3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Tellurobismuthite | Bi2Te3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Telluronevskite | Bi3TeSe2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| Tetradymite | Bi2Te2S | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Tsumoite | BiTe | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3 1m |
| Vihorlatite | Bi24Se17Te4 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| Zipserite | Bi5S4 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 41 photos of Hedleyite associated with Bismite | Bi2O3 |
| 41 photos of Hedleyite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 39 photos of Hedleyite associated with Native Bismuth | Bi |
| 23 photos of Hedleyite associated with Native Gold | Au |
| 11 photos of Hedleyite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 7 photos of Hedleyite associated with Joséite-B | Bi4Te2S |
| 5 photos of Hedleyite associated with Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
| 3 photos of Hedleyite associated with Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 2 photos of Hedleyite associated with Grossular | Ca3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 2 photos of Hedleyite associated with Löllingite | FeAs2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.DC.05 | Laitakarite | Bi4(Se,S)3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Paraguanajuatite | Bi2Se3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Telluronevskite | Bi3TeSe2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Hitachiite | Pb5Bi2Te2S6 |
| 2.DC.05 | Tellurantimony | Sb2Te3 |
| 2.DC.05 | 'Joséite' | Bi4TeS2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Tellurobismuthite | Bi2Te3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Joséite-A | Bi4TeS2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Joséite-B | Bi4Te2S |
| 2.DC.05 | Nevskite | Bi(Se,S) |
| 2.DC.05 | Tetradymite | Bi2Te2S |
| 2.DC.05 | 'Protojoséite' | Bi3(Te,S)2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Skippenite | Bi2TeSe2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Kawazulite | Bi2Te2Se |
| 2.DC.05 | 'UM1983-09-S:BiPbTe' | PbBi3S2Te |
| 2.DC.05 | Pilsenite | Bi4Te3 |
| 2.DC.05 | 'Sztrókayite' | Bi3TeS2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Baksanite | Bi6Te2S3 |
| 2.DC.05 | 'Joséite-C' | Bi16Te3S9 |
| 2.DC.05 | Vihorlatite | Bi24Se17Te4 |
| 2.DC.05 | Tsumoite | BiTe |
| 2.DC.05 | Ikunolite | Bi4S3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Ehrigite | Bi8Te3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Ingodite | Bi2TeS |
| 2.DC.05 | Sulphotsumoite | Bi3Te2S |
| 2.DC.15 | 'Castaingite' | CuMo2S5 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Hedleyite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1843.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Hedleyite
Reference List:
Thompson, R. M. (1949) The telluride minerals and their occurrence in Canada. American Mineralogist, 34 (5-6) 341-382
Brown, Allan, Lewis, B. (1962) The systems bismuth-tellurium and antimony-tellurium and the synthesis of the minerals hedleyite and wehrlite. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 23. 1597-1604 doi:10.1016/0022-3697(62)90242-1
Criddle, A. J., Stanley, C. J. (1993) Data file. In Quantitative Data File for Ore Minerals. Springer Netherlands. p.1-635. doi:10.1007/978-94-011-1486-8_1p.227
Cook, N. J., Ciobanu, C. L., Wagner, T., Stanley, C. J. (2007) Minerals of the system Bi–Te–Se–S related to the tetradymite archetype: review of classification and compositional variation. The Canadian Mineralogist, 45 (4) 665-708 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.45.4.665
Ciobanu, C. L., Pring, A., Cook, N. J., Self, P., Jefferson, D., Dima, G. I., Melnikov, V. (2009) Chemical-structural modularity in the tetradymite group: A HRTEM study. American Mineralogist, 94 (4) 517-534 doi:10.2138/am.2009.2906
Localities for Hedleyite
Showing 178 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Seccombe et al. (2005) |
| Hein (1994) |
| Hein (1994) | |
| Lehrmann (2012) |
| Lehrmann (2012) | |
| Cristiana Ciobanu & Bill Birch 2008 +1 other reference |
| Henry et al. (2022) |
| Kalleske (2010) |
| Dalstra et al. (2023) |
Austria | |
| Brandstätter et al. (2006) |
| Auer (2019) |
| Auer (2016) |
| C.Auer (2016) | |
Belgium | |
| Weis et al. (1980) +1 other reference |
Bolivia | |
| Smithsonian specimen 85382 (1975) |
Brazil | |
| Oberthür et al. (2008) |
| Cabral et al. (2015) |
| Grainger et al. (2008) |
Bulgaria | |
| Dimitrova (2006) |
Canada | |
| aris.empr.gov.bc.ca (n.d.) +3 other references |
| Manor |
| Roberts (2017) |
| Warren et al. (1945) +4 other references |
| G E Ray et al. (1983) +3 other references | |
| Dana's New Mineralogy +2 other references | |
| Peatfield (n.d.) |
| Febbo et al. (2019) |
| Singer et al. (2008) | |
| Higgins (1985) +1 other reference |
| Warren (2013) |
| Alexandria Minerals Corp. |
| Traill (1970) |
China | |
| Yunsheng Ren et al. (2005) |
| Yunsheng Ren et al. (2005) +1 other reference | |
| Xiangping Gu et al. (2001) +1 other reference | |
| Zhenru Zhang et al. (1987) |
| Furong Huang (1998) +1 other reference |
| Ye et al. (2014) |
| Bin Shu et al. (2006) |
| Peng Qiming and Xu Hong (1994) |
| Meng et al. (2022) |
| Vikent'ev et al. (2015, June) |
| Zhenkuan Luo et al. (1999) |
| Jiang et al. (2025) |
| Wang et al. (2024) |
| Zhenru Zhang et al. (1987) |
| Zhenru Zhang et al. (1987) |
| Chil-Sup So et al. (2002) |
| Liyan Zhang (1985) |
| Liu et al. (2023) +1 other reference |
| Peng Qiming and Xu Hong (1994) |
| Ma et al. (2024) |
| Wang et al. (2006) |
Czech Republic | |
| Zachariáš et al. (1997) |
| Sejkora et al. (2022) |
| Zachariáš et al. (2014) |
| Fojt |
| Vavřín |
| M. Koubov (2001) |
Dominican Republic | |
| Colomer et al. (2013) +1 other reference |
Finland | |
| Hytönen (1999) |
| Kojonen et al. (1991) | |
| www.gsf.fi (2001) | |
| Geological Survey of Finland 2008. Pampalo (Ward) | |
| Geological Survey of Finland 2008. ... | |
| Kojonen |
| Hector et al. (2023) |
| Hector et al. (2023) |
| Geological Survey of Finland 2008. ... |
| Geological Survey of Finland 2008. ... +1 other reference |
| Hector et al. (2023) |
| Kuikka (2014) |
| www.gsf.fi (2001) +1 other reference |
| Grönholm et al. (2012) |
| Kojonen +1 other reference |
| Kärkkäinen +2 other references |
Georgia | |
| Kekelia et al. (2017) |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (2020) |
| Uwe Kolitsch (unpublished SEM-EDS analyses) | |
Iceland | |
| Guðmundsson (2024) |
India | |
| Mishra et al. (1999) |
| Anand et al. (2022) |
Italy | |
| Deidda et al. (2022) |
| Casari (1986) |
| - (n.d.) | |
Japan | |
| Yamada (2004) |
| Haruna et al. (2002) |
| Satoshi Matsubara et al. (2010) |
| Josef Vajdak specimens +1 other reference |
Kazakhstan | |
| Kovalev et al. (2018) |
| Baibatsha et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
Mauritania | |
| Kolb et al. (2006) +2 other references |
Morocco | |
| Ilmen et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
Myanmar | |
| Sint et al. (2019) |
| Sint et al. (2019) | |
Norway | |
| Lindahl (1975) |
| Lindahl (1975) | |
| Lindahl (1975) | |
| Lindahl (1975) | |
| Lindahl (1975) | |
Pacific Ocean | |
| Eos Trans. AGU (48) |
Poland | |
| Małek et al. (2019) |
| Foltyn et al. (2023) | |
| Mikulski (2005, January) |
Portugal | |
| Maia et al. (2022) |
| Fuertes-Fuente et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
| Leal et al. (2019) +1 other reference |
Romania | |
| Cook et al. (2002) |
| Cook et al. (2001) |
| HÎRTOPANU et al. (2025) |
Russia | |
| Ettlinger et al. (1991) |
| Rogov et al. (2023) |
| Rogov et al. (2023) | |
| Sidorov et al. (2007) |
| ... |
| Kemkina et al. (2018, July) |
| Gonevchuk et al. (2010) |
| Alekseev et al. (2015) |
| Shaparenko et al. (2023) |
| Silyanov et al. (2022) | |
| Bazai et al. (2009) |
| Chernyavsky et al. (2012) +1 other reference | |
| Kalinin et al. (2024) |
| Grant et al. (2001) |
| Simanenko (2006) +1 other reference | |
| Gvozdev et al. (2016) |
| Grebennikova et al. (2023) | |
| Grebennikova et al. (2023) +1 other reference | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... +2 other references |
| Alekseev et al. (2015) | |
| Kazachenko et al. (2013) |
| |
| Ivashchenko (2024) |
| Ivashchenko et al. (2011, September) | |
| Ivashchenko et al. (2018, June) |
| V. I. Ivashchenko et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Kondratieva et al. (2021) |
| Gerasimov et al. (2025) |
| Gamyanin +6 other references |
| L.A. Kondrat’eva +2 other references |
| Yurgenson et al. (2023) |
| Krivitskaya et al. (2008) | |
Slovakia | |
| Pršek et al. (2008) |
| Melnikov et al. (2009) | |
| Melnikov et al. (2009) | |
Spain | |
| Cepedal et al. (2006) |
| Minero (2014) |
Sweden | |
| |
| Gatedal (n.d.) |
| |
| T. Wikström | |
Switzerland | |
| MEISSER et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
Tajikistan | |
| D.I.Belakovskiy data |
| Novgorodova et al. (1991) +1 other reference |
| Belakovski (1990) |
UK | |
| Stanley et al. (1991) |
| Cooper et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
| Day (1999) |
Ukraine | |
| Cook et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Shumlyanskyy et al. (2000) |
USA | |
| Raymond (2018) |
| Rombach et al. (2002, October) |
| Illig (2015) | |
| - (2005) |
| - (2005) | |
| Mankins (2022) |
| Mankins (2022) | |
| Mankins (2022) | |
| Mankins (2022) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| pnwfm.org (2004) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Koneev et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
| Eshimov et al. (1987) +3 other references |
| Сайитов et al. (2023) | |
| Ashirov et al. (2023) |
| Anthony et al. (1990) | |
Zimbabwe | |
| Oberthür et al. (2008) |
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Good Hope Mine, Hedley, Osoyoos Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada