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Mosesite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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02429200017271925172415.jpg
Mosesite

Terlingua Mining District, Texas, USA
07132160017360473999869.jpg
Mosesite

Mariquita Mine, Usagre, Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain
03880290017271925201478.jpg
Mosesite

Terlingua Mining District, Texas, USA
02429200017271925172415.jpg
Mosesite

Terlingua Mining District, Texas, USA
07132160017360473999869.jpg
Mosesite

Mariquita Mine, Usagre, Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain
03880290017271925201478.jpg
Mosesite

Terlingua Mining District, Texas, USA
02429200017271925172415.jpg
Mosesite

Terlingua Mining District, Texas, USA
07132160017360473999869.jpg
Mosesite

Mariquita Mine, Usagre, Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain
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About MosesiteHide

07794040017271925333213.jpg
Alfred J. Moses
Formula:
(Hg2N)(Cl,SO4,MoO4) · H2O
Colour:
Yellow; turns olive-green upon prolonged exposure to light.
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
7.72
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
Named in 1910 by Frederick Alexander Canfield, William Francis Hillebrand, and Waldemar Theodore Schaller in honor of Alfred Joseph Moses [July 25, 1859 Brooklyn, New York, USA - February 27, 1920 Mount Kisco, New York, USA], Professor of Mineralogy, Columbia University, who first described several of the mercury minerals from Terlingua, Texas.
The iodine analogue is likely known as CCUK-18.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
2790
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2790:4

IMA Classification of MosesiteHide

IMA status:
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(Hg2N)Cl
First published:
1910
Type description reference:
Canfield, F.A., Hillebrand, W.F., Schaller, W.T. (1910) Mosesite, a new mercury mineral from Terlingua, Texas. American Journal of Science, S. 4 Vol. 30. 202-208

Classification of MosesiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2025):
3.DD.30

3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
D : With Hg
Dana 8th ed.:
29.3.8.1

29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
3 : A2B(XO4)2·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:
26.15

26 : Sulphates with Halide

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

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

Pronunciation of MosesiteHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of MosesiteHide

Lustre:
Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellow; turns olive-green upon prolonged exposure to light.
Streak:
Very light yellow
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Very brittle
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
On {111}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
7.72 g/cm3 (Measured)    7.53 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of MosesiteHide

Type:
Isotropic
Comments:
Becomes isotropic when heated over about 186°.

Chemistry of MosesiteHide

Mindat Formula:
(Hg2N)(Cl,SO4,MoO4) · H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Hg85.602 %
Cl7.565 %
O3.414 %
N2.989 %
H0.430 %

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

Crystallography of MosesiteHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:
F4 3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.524 Å
Unit Cell V:
863.89 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Crystals usually octahedral; also in cube-octahedrons, cubes, and dodecahedrons.
Twinning:
Twin plane {111} common (spinel twinning); repeated groups at times.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.74 Å(100)
2.86 Å(80)
1.68 Å(70)
1.44 Å(70)
2.18 Å(60)
1.61 Å(60)
2.38 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 MosesiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Terlingua Mining District, Texas, USA
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small, isolated crystals on calcite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, C87, 93292.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
CalciteGypsumMontroydite
Reference:
Canfield, F.A., Hillebrand, W.F., Schaller, W.T. (1910) Mosesite, a new mercury mineral from Terlingua, Texas. American Journal of Science, S. 4 Vol. 30. 202-208

Other Language Names for MosesiteHide

Dutch:Mosesiet
German:Mosesit
Spanish:Mosesita

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
3 photos of Mosesite associated with Kleinite(Hg2N)(Cl,SO4) · nH2O
2 photos of Mosesite associated with CinnabarHgS

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

3.DD.Mikecoxite[CHg4]OCl2Mon. 2/m
3.DD.05Eglestonite[Hg2]2+3OCl3(OH)Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d
3.DD.05Kadyrelite[Hg2]2+3OBr3(OH)Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d
3.DD.10Poyarkovite[Hg2]2+3Cl2O2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
3.DD.15Hanawaltite[Hg2]2+3Hg2+(Cl,OH)2O3Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
3.DD.20Terlinguaite[Hg3]4+Hg2+Cl2O2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
3.DD.25PinchiteHg2+5Cl2O4Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Ibam
3.DD.30Gianellaite[(Hg2N)2](SO4)(H2O)xIso. 4 3m : F4 3m
3.DD.35Kleinite(Hg2N)(Cl,SO4) · nH2OHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
3.DD.40Tedhadleyite[Hg2]2+5Hg2+I2(Cl,Br)2O4Tric. 1
3.DD.45Vasilyevite[Hg2]2+10I3Br2Cl[CO3]O6Tric. 1 : P1
3.DD.50Aurivilliusite[Hg2]2+Hg2+2(I,Br,Cl)2O2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
3.DD.55TerlinguacreekiteHg2+3Cl2O2Orth.
3.DD.60Kelyanite[Hg]2+6Sb3+BrCl2O6Trig. 3 : P3
3.DD.65ComancheiteHg2+55N3-24(NH2,OH)4(Cl,Br)34Orth.
3.DD.70GaildunningiteHg2+3[NHg2+2]18(Cl,I,OH,Br,S)24Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Alters to a white substance retaining its original shape when placed into cold HCl.
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 MosesiteHide

References for MosesiteHide

Localities for MosesiteHide

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.
Mexico
 
  • Guerrero
    • Taxco de Alarcón
      • Huahuaxtla
Panczner (1987)
  • Queretaro
    • Cadereyta de Montes Municipality
      • El Doctor
Panczner (1987)
Spain
 
  • Extremadura
    • Badajoz
      • Usagre
Salván et al. (2024)
USA
 
  • California
    • San Benito County
      • Goat Mountain
Dunning +1 other reference
    • San Mateo County
      • Redwood City
The Challenge Mercury Deposit
  • Nevada
    • Humboldt County
      • Opalite Mining District
Castor et al. (2004)
    • Pershing County
      • Willard Mining District
Palache et al. (1951)
  • Texas
    • Brewster County
Smith (1991)
Canfield et al. (1910) +4 other references
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