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Moschellandsbergite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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08475910017271925197763.jpg
Moschellandsbergite

Landsberg, Obermoschel, Nordpfälzer Land, Donnersbergkreis, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
02466920017271925232180.jpg
Moschellandsbergite

Landsberg, Obermoschel, Nordpfälzer Land, Donnersbergkreis, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
00119040017271925285159.jpg
Moschellandsbergite

Landsberg, Obermoschel, Nordpfälzer Land, Donnersbergkreis, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
08475910017271925197763.jpg
Moschellandsbergite

Landsberg, Obermoschel, Nordpfälzer Land, Donnersbergkreis, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
02466920017271925232180.jpg
Moschellandsbergite

Landsberg, Obermoschel, Nordpfälzer Land, Donnersbergkreis, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
00119040017271925285159.jpg
Moschellandsbergite

Landsberg, Obermoschel, Nordpfälzer Land, Donnersbergkreis, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
08475910017271925197763.jpg
Moschellandsbergite

Landsberg, Obermoschel, Nordpfälzer Land, Donnersbergkreis, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
02466920017271925232180.jpg
Moschellandsbergite

Landsberg, Obermoschel, Nordpfälzer Land, Donnersbergkreis, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
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About MoschellandsbergiteHide

04941540017271925331824.jpg
Ore processing plant, 1930s

Landsberg, Obermoschel, Nordpfälzer Land, Donnersbergkreis, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Formula:
Ag2Hg3
Colour:
white, tarnishes light brownish grey
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
13.48 - 13.71
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
The name was proposed by Harry Berman and G.A. Harcourt in 1938, for the type locality of Moschellandsberg (Landsberg for short), Germany. Earlier generically referred to as silver amalgam.
Intermetallic compound of silver and mercury.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
2789
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2789:8

IMA Classification of MoschellandsbergiteHide

IMA status:
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1938
Type description reference:
Berman, Harry, Harcourt, G. A. (1938) Natural amalgams. American Mineralogist, 23 (11) 761-764

Classification of MoschellandsbergiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
1.AD.15d

1 : ELEMENTS (Metals and intermetallic alloys; metalloids and nonmetals; carbides, silicides, nitrides, phosphides)
A : Metals and Intermetallic Alloys
D : Mercury-amalgam family
Dana 7th ed.:
1.1.11.1
Dana 8th ed.:
1.1.8.1

1 : NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS
1 : Metals, other than the Platinum Group
Hey's CIM Ref.:
1.14

1 : Elements and Alloys (including the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au)

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
MlbIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of MoschellandsbergiteHide

Lustre:
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
White, tarnishes light brownish grey
Streak:
Silver
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=147 - 159 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{011} and {001} distinct
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
13.48 - 13.71 g/cm3 (Measured)    13.49 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of MoschellandsbergiteHide

Type:
Isotropic
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)
400nm73.5%
420nm74.6%
440nm75.7%
460nm76.9%
480nm78.2%
500nm79.5%
520nm80.7%
540nm81.7%
560nm82.6%
580nm83.3%
600nm83.7%
620nm84.0%
640nm84.2%
660nm84.4%
680nm84.5%
700nm84.7%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 84.7%.

Chemistry of MoschellandsbergiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Ag2Hg3
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Hg73.610 %
Ag26.390 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Ag, Hg - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of MoschellandsbergiteHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.04 Å
Unit Cell V:
1,012.05 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
10
Morphology:
Dodecahedral, frequently modified by (001) and (112).
Other forms include (013), (012), (011), (111), (122), (123).
Comment:
Space Group: Im3m.

Crystallographic forms of MoschellandsbergiteHide

Crystal Atlas:
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Moschellandsbergite - {110}, modified
View 3D crystal model
Moschellandsbergite - {110}, modified
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by www.smorf.nl.

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Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0009425MoschellandsbergiteFairhurst C W, Cohen J B (1972) The crystal structure of two compounds found in dental amalgam: Ag2Hg3 and Ag3Sn Acta Crystallographica B28 371-378Image1972synthetic0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.67 Å(40)
2.36 Å(100)
1.365 Å(70)
1.275 Å(50)
1.236 Å(60)
0.941 Å(50)
0.799 Å(50)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])

Type Occurrence of MoschellandsbergiteHide

Synonyms of MoschellandsbergiteHide

Other Language Names for MoschellandsbergiteHide

French:Argental
Simplified Chinese:银汞矿
Traditional Chinese:銀汞礦

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
62 photos of Moschellandsbergite associated with ParaschachneriteAg3Hg2
49 photos of Moschellandsbergite associated with CinnabarHgS
47 photos of Moschellandsbergite associated with MetacinnabarHgS
40 photos of Moschellandsbergite associated with SchachneriteAg1.1Hg0.9
23 photos of Moschellandsbergite associated with AnkeriteCa(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
20 photos of Moschellandsbergite associated with GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
12 photos of Moschellandsbergite associated with GalenaPbS
8 photos of Moschellandsbergite associated with CalciteCaCO3
7 photos of Moschellandsbergite associated with Tetrahedrite-(Hg)Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4S12S
7 photos of Moschellandsbergite associated with 'Kongsbergite'(Ag,Hg)

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

1.AD.AurihydrargyrumiteAu6Hg5Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mcm
1.AD.05Native MercuryHgAmor.
1.AD.10BelendorffiteCu7Hg6Trig. 3m : R3m
1.AD.10KolymiteCu7Hg6Iso.
1.AD.15aParaschachneriteAg3Hg2Orth.
1.AD.15cEugeniteAg11Hg2Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
1.AD.15bLuanheiteAg3HgHex.
1.AD.15aSchachneriteAg1.1Hg0.9Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
1.AD.20b'Goldamalgam (of Chen et al.)'(Au,Ag)HgIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Im3m
1.AD.20aWeishanite(Au,Ag,Hg)Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
1.AD.20c'Yiyangite'Au3HgHex.
1.AD.25PotaritePdHgTet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/mmm
1.AD.30LeadamalgamPb0.7Hg0.3Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm
1.AD.35ShosanbetsuiteAg3SnOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmmn
1.AD.40'Unnamed (Au-Hg Amalgam)'Au2HgHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mcm

Other InformationHide

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 MoschellandsbergiteHide

References for MoschellandsbergiteHide

Localities for MoschellandsbergiteHide

Showing 27 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the Image symbol to view information about a locality. The Image symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

Image - This locality has map coordinates listed. Image - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. Image - Good crystals or important locality for species. Image - World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Austria
 
  • Salzburg
    • Zell am See District
      • Leogang
        • Hütten
          • Schwarzleograben
            • Schwarzleo mining district
Strasser (1989)
Leblhuber (2000)
Canada
 
  • Manitoba
    • Flin Flon District
Healy et al. (1990)
Chile
 
  • Atacama
    • Copiapó Province
      • Copiapó
Minrecord +1 other reference
China
 
  • Guizhou
    • Bijie
      • Weining County
        • Huize Zn-Pb-(Ag) ore field
Yaoguo Hu et al. (2000)
Czech Republic
 
  • Plzeň Region
    • Rokycany District
Litochleb +5 other references
France
 
  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
    • Isère
      • Grenoble
        • Allemond
Dana 7:I:104
Germany
 
  • Rhineland-Palatinate
    • Donnersbergkreis
      • Kirchheimbolanden
        • Mörsfeld
Heidtke (2001)
      • Nordpfälzer Land
        • Obermoschel
          • Landsberg
Hartmut Hensel Collection
Heidtke (2001)
Klaproth (1795) +1 other reference
        • Stahlberg
Heidtke (2001)
    • Kusel
      • Lauterecken-Wolfstein
Heidtke (2001)
    • Rhein-Lahn-Kreis
      • Lahnstein
        • Friedrichssegen
58. +2 other references
Hungary
 
  • Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County
    • Kazincbarcika District
      • Rudabánya
Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya
Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya
Indonesia
 
  • Maluku Province
    • Barat Daya Islands
      • Wetar Island
Scotney et al. (2005)
Japan
 
  • Kagoshima Prefecture
    • Kirishima City
      • Yokogawa-cho
Mitsubishi Corporation mineral ...
Russia
 
  • Tuva
    • Pi-Khem District
Belogub et al. (2007)
Slovakia
 
  • Košice Region
    • Rožňava District
      • Nižná Slaná
Martin Števko-unpublished
Martin Števko-unpublished
Sweden
 
  • Västmanland County
    • Sala Municipality
      • Sala
Zakrzewski et al. (1987) +1 other reference
USA
 
  • Nevada
    • Clark County
      • Spring Mountains
        • Goodsprings Mining District
Castor et al. (2004)
    • Mineral County
Castor et al. (2004)
    • Storey County
      • Comstock Mining District
        • Virginia City
          • Comstock Lode
Eur. J. Mineral.
Cipriani et al. (1989) +2 other references
  • Washington
    • Chelan County
      • Wenatchee Mining District
John Lindell Collection
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