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Kuznetsovite

A valid IMA mineral species
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07467730017271924476384.jpg
Kuznetsovite

Khaidarkan Sb-Hg deposit, Aydarken, Kadamjay District, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan
04368590017271924519797.jpg
Kuznetsovite

Khaidarkan Sb-Hg deposit, Aydarken, Kadamjay District, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan
09460760017365322285963.jpg
Kuznetsovite, etc.

McDermitt Mine, Opalite Mining District, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA
07467730017271924476384.jpg
Kuznetsovite

Khaidarkan Sb-Hg deposit, Aydarken, Kadamjay District, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan
04368590017271924519797.jpg
Kuznetsovite

Khaidarkan Sb-Hg deposit, Aydarken, Kadamjay District, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan
09211810017362631675860.jpg
Kuznetsovite, etc.

McDermitt Mine, Opalite Mining District, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA
07467730017271924476384.jpg
Kuznetsovite

Khaidarkan Sb-Hg deposit, Aydarken, Kadamjay District, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan
04368590017271924519797.jpg
Kuznetsovite

Khaidarkan Sb-Hg deposit, Aydarken, Kadamjay District, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan
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About KuznetsoviteHide

08523070017271924634635.jpg
Valery A. Kuznetsov
Formula:
[Hg2]2+Hg2+[AsO4]Cl
formula may instead be [Hg3]4+[AsO4]Cl, where the three Hg atoms occur as a polyatomic cluster.
Colour:
Brown, yellow
Lustre:
Adamantine, Vitreous
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
8.64 - 8.82
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
Named in honor of Valery Alekseevich Kuznetsov (Валерий Алексеевич Кузнецов) (12 April 1906, Nikolsk, Vologda province, Russian Empire - 4 August 1985, Novosibirsk, USSR), Russian geologist. He was an expert in magmatism and endogenous ore formation (mercury and non-ferrous metals) and discovered the Aktash and Peza mercury deposits (Gorny Altai).
According to Borisov et al. (2003) it might be possible that kuzetsovite - as terlinguaite - contains the [Hg3]4+ polycation.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
2301
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2301:2

IMA Classification of KuznetsoviteHide

Classification of KuznetsoviteHide

Strunz-mindat (2025):
8.BO.35

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
O : With only large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 about 1:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:
23.5

23 : Arsenites

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

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

Pronunciation of KuznetsoviteHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of KuznetsoviteHide

Lustre:
Adamantine, Vitreous
Colour:
Brown, yellow
Streak:
Orange
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
8.64 - 8.82 g/cm3 (Measured)    8.691 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Some native mercury in measured SG

Optical Data of KuznetsoviteHide

Type:
Isotropic
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)
460nm17.6%
546nm16.9%
590nm16.2%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 17.6%.
Internal Reflections:
Pale brown
Comments:
RI considerably higher than that of the "highest liquid of the standard set"

Chemistry of KuznetsoviteHide

Mindat Formula:
[Hg2]2+Hg2+[AsO4]Cl

formula may instead be [Hg3]4+[AsO4]Cl, where the three Hg atoms occur as a polyatomic cluster.
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Hg77.534 %
As9.653 %
O8.246 %
Cl4.568 %

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

Crystallography of KuznetsoviteHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
2 3 - Tetartoidal
Space Group:
P21 3
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.4013(2) Å
Unit Cell V:
592.98 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0015847KuznetsoviteWeil M (2001) Preparation and crystal structures of (Hg3)(PO4)Cl, (Hg3)(AsO4)Cl and (Hg3)(AsO4)Br - mercury compounds with the triangular Hg4+3 cluster Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung B56 753-7582001synthetic0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.53 Å(100)
2.81 Å(70)
4.86 Å(60)
3.43 Å(60)
1.834 Å(60)
4.21 Å(50)
3.77 Å(50)
Comments:
Arzak deposit, Russia. Data from the type description.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates]
47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals]

Type Occurrence of KuznetsoviteHide

Co-Type Localities:
ⓘ Khaidarkan Sb-Hg deposit, Aydarken, Kadamjay District, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan
ⓘ Arzak Hg occurrence (Arzakskoye), Uyuk Range, Pi-Khem District, Tuva, Russia
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Central Siberian Geological Museum, Inst. of Geology, Novosibirsk, Russia.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidation zone of cinnabar bearing mercury deposits.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
CalomelCorderoiteEglestoniteMontroyditeNative Mercury
Reference:
Vasil'ev, V.I., Lavrent'ev, Y.G. (1980) Kuznetsovite, Hg6As2Cl2O9 - a new mercury mineral. Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR: 255: 963-968.

Synonyms of KuznetsoviteHide

Other Language Names for KuznetsoviteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Kuznetsovite associated with CinnabarHgS
2 photos of Kuznetsovite associated with QuartzSiO2
1 photo of Kuznetsovite associated with ChalcedonySiO2
1 photo of Kuznetsovite associated with TerlinguacreekiteHg2+3Cl2O2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.BO.AriegilatiteBaCa12(SiO4)4(PO4)2F2OTrig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
8.BO.AravaiteBa2Ca18(SiO4)6(PO4)3(CO3)F3OTrig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
8.BO.TheuerdankiteAg3AsO4Iso. 4 3m : P4 3n
8.BO.05NacaphiteNa2Ca(PO4)FMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.BO.10PetitjeaniteBi3(PO4)2O(OH)Tric. 1 : P1
8.BO.10SchumacheriteBi3(VO4)2O(OH)Tric. 1 : P1
8.BO.10PreisingeriteBi3(AsO4)2O(OH)Tric. 1 : P1
8.BO.15HechtsbergiteBi2(VO4)O(OH)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
8.BO.15SmrkoveciteBi2(PO4)O(OH)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
8.BO.15AtelestiteBi2(AsO4)O(OH)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
8.BO.20SahlinitePb14(AsO4)2O9Cl4Mon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BO.20KombatitePb14(VO4)2O9Cl4Mon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BO.25HeneuiteCaMg5(CO3)(PO4)3(OH)Tric. 1 : P1
8.BO.30NefedoviteNa5Ca4(PO4)4FTric.
8.BO.40Artsmithite[Hg2]2+2Al(PO4)1.74(OH)1.78Mon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BO.45SchlegeliteBi7(AsO4)3(MoO4)2O4Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.BO.50Hereroite[Pb32(O,◻)21](AsO4)2[(Si,As,V,Mo)O4]2Cl10Mon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BO.50Erikjonssonite(Pb32O21)[(V,Si,Mo,As)O4]4Cl9Mon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BO.55Rudabányaite(Ag2Hg2)(AsO4)ClIso. 4 3m : F4 3c
8.BO.60SegerstromiteCa3(As5+O4)2[As3+(OH)3]2Iso. 2 3 : I21 3
8.BO.65WiklunditePb2(Mn2+,Zn)3(Fe3+,Mn2+)2(Mn2+,Mg)19(As3+O3)2[(Si,As5+)O4]6(OH)18Cl6Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c

Other InformationHide

Notes:
The mineral is blackened by KOH, decolorized and decomposed by HCl, does not react with 1:1 HNO3.
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 KuznetsoviteHide

References for KuznetsoviteHide

Localities for KuznetsoviteHide

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

Locality ListHide

- 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). 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.
Kyrgyzstan (TL)
 
  • Batken Region
    • Kadamjay District
      • Aydarken
Vasil'ev et al. (1980) +3 other references
Kolesar et al. (1993)
Russia (TL)
 
  • Tuva
    • Pi-Khem District
      • Uyuk Range
Vasil'ev et al. (1980) +2 other references
        • Oorash-Khem River Valley
Pervukhina et al. (2003)
USA
 
  • Nevada
    • Humboldt County
      • Opalite Mining District
Borja Sainz de Baranda Graf Collection
Quick NavTopAbout KuznetsoviteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
 
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