Bismoclite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Bismoclite
Formula:
BiOCl
Colour:
Cream-white, grayish-white, light yellowish-brown; colorless in thin section
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
7.36
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Member of:
Name:
In allusion to the ions it is apparently composed of: BISMuth, Oxide and ChLoride.
Matlockite Group.
Very plastic.
In contrast to many bismuth oxycompounds, this mineral does not contain the typical bismuthyl cation (BiO)+.
May be confused with the Bi carbonates bismutite, beyerite and others.
Usually white to gray. Often found as white powdery to waxy coatings. Rarely bright-green spherical groups with radial fibrous texture. Brightly colored material may be misidentified as bismoclite and may need analytical verification.
Very plastic.
In contrast to many bismuth oxycompounds, this mineral does not contain the typical bismuthyl cation (BiO)+.
May be confused with the Bi carbonates bismutite, beyerite and others.
Usually white to gray. Often found as white powdery to waxy coatings. Rarely bright-green spherical groups with radial fibrous texture. Brightly colored material may be misidentified as bismoclite and may need analytical verification.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
683
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:683:3
IMA Classification of Bismoclite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Bismoclite
3.DC.25
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
C : With Pb (As,Sb,Bi), without Cu
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
C : With Pb (As,Sb,Bi), without Cu
10.2.1.2
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
2 : A(O,OH)Xq
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
2 : A(O,OH)Xq
8.9.5
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
9 : Halides of Sb and Bi
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
9 : Halides of 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.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Bmc | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Bismoclite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Cream-white, grayish-white, light yellowish-brown; colorless in thin section
Comment:
Material called "bismoclite" is often actually misidentified and analytical verification may be needed.
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Elastic
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001}
On {001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
7.36 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.784 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bismoclite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 2.15 nε = 1.91
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.240
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Chemistry of Bismoclite
Mindat Formula:
BiOCl
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Fe,OH
Crystallography of Bismoclite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P4/nmm
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.887 Å, c = 7.354 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.892
Unit Cell V:
111.11 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals minute, scaly or thin rectangular, rarely with corners truncated at 45°; often columnar-fibrous, earthy, compact or massive.
Comment:
Crystal structure was determined from synthetic material. A refinement of the structure of a natural crystal is given in Liebhart (2023).
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0011038 | Bismoclite | Keramidas K G, Voutsas G P, Rentzeperis P I (1993) The crystal structure of BiOCl Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 205 35-40 |  | 1993 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0011841 | Bismoclite | Wyckoff R W G (1963) Second edition. Interscience Publishers, New York, New York Crystal Structures 1 294-296 | 1963 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0014435 | Bismoclite | Bannister F A (1935) The crystal-structure of the bismuth oxyhalides Mineralogical Magazine 24 49-58 | | 1935 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0018052 | Bismoclite | Bannister F (1934) Crystal structure of bismuth oxyhalides _cod_database_code 1011175 Nature (London) 134 856-857 | 1934 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.44 Å | (100) |
| 2.677 Å | (95) |
| 2.753 Å | (75) |
| 7.38 Å | (40) |
| 1.946 Å | (35) |
| 2.205 Å | (30) |
| 1.574 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Recorded on synthetic material
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 26 : Hadean detrital minerals | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
In granite pegmatites; in greisen
Type Occurrence of Bismoclite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In an alluvial specimen, found near bismuth-bearing granite pegmatites.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Bismoclite
Dutch:Bismocliet
German:Bismoclit
Russian:Бисмоклит
Simplified Chinese:氯铋矿
Spanish:Bismoclita
Traditional Chinese:氯鉍礦
Relationship of Bismoclite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Matlockite Group:
| Daubréeite | BiO(OH) | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
| Laurionite | PbCl(OH) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Matlockite | PbFCl | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
| Paralaurionite | PbCl(OH) | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Rorisite | CaFCl | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
| Zavaritskite | (BiO)F | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 9 photos of Bismoclite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 6 photos of Bismoclite associated with Bismuthinite | Bi2S3 |
| 5 photos of Bismoclite associated with Native Bismuth | Bi |
| 4 photos of Bismoclite associated with Waylandite | BiAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 3 photos of Bismoclite associated with Native Gold | Au |
| 2 photos of Bismoclite associated with Bismutite | (BiO)2CO3 |
| 2 photos of Bismoclite associated with Bertrandite | Be4(Si2O7)(OH)2 |
| 2 photos of Bismoclite associated with Bismutostibiconite | Bi(Sb5+,Fe3+)2O7 |
| 2 photos of Bismoclite associated with Pharmacosiderite | KFe3+4(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 6-7H2O |
| 2 photos of Bismoclite associated with Rooseveltite | Bi(AsO4) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.DC. | Gajardoite | KCa0.5As3+4O6Cl2 · 5H2O |
| 3.DC. | Lucabindiite | (K,NH4)As4O6(Cl,Br) |
| 3.DC. | Cuatrocapaite-(NH4) | (NH4)3(NaMg◻)(As2O3)6Cl6 · 16H2O |
| 3.DC. | Cuatrocapaite-(K) | K3(NaMg◻)(As2O3)6Cl6 · 16H2O |
| 3.DC. | Napoliite | Pb2OFCl |
| 3.DC. | Torrecillasite | Na(As,Sb)3+4O6Cl |
| 3.DC.05 | Paralaurionite | PbCl(OH) |
| 3.DC.05 | Laurionite | PbCl(OH) |
| 3.DC.05 | Mauriziodiniite | (NH4)(As2O3)2I |
| 3.DC.05 | Russoite | (NH4)ClAs2O3(H2O)0.5 |
| 3.DC.10 | Fiedlerite | Pb3FCl4(OH) · H2O |
| 3.DC.15 | Penfieldite | Pb2Cl3(OH) |
| 3.DC.15 | Telluroperite | Pb3TeO4Cl2 |
| 3.DC.20 | Laurelite | Pb7F12Cl2 |
| 3.DC.25 | Zhangpeishanite | BaFCl |
| 3.DC.25 | Matlockite | PbFCl |
| 3.DC.25 | Zavaritskite | (BiO)F |
| 3.DC.25 | Rorisite | CaFCl |
| 3.DC.25 | Vegrandisite | BaCl2 |
| 3.DC.30 | Nadorite | PbSbClO2 |
| 3.DC.30 | Perite | PbBiClO2 |
| 3.DC.40 | Thorikosite | Pb3Cl2(OH)(SbO3,AsO3) |
| 3.DC.45 | Mereheadite | Pb47Cl25(OH)13O24(CO3)(BO3)2 |
| 3.DC.50 | Blixite | Pb8O5(OH)2Cl4 |
| 3.DC.52 | Rumseyite | Pb2OClF |
| 3.DC.55 | Vladkrivovichevite | [Pb32O18][Pb4Mn2O]Cl14(BO3)8 · 2H2O |
| 3.DC.55 | Pinalite | Pb3WO5Cl2 |
| 3.DC.57 | Yeomanite | Pb2O(OH)Cl |
| 3.DC.60 | Symesite | Pb10(SO4)O7Cl4 · H2O |
| 3.DC.60 | Lorettoite | Pb7O6Cl2 |
| 3.DC.62 | Sarawakite (of Frenzel) | Sb, O, Cl (?) |
| 3.DC.65 | Ecdemite | Pb6As3+2O7Cl4 |
| 3.DC.70 | Mendipite | Pb3Cl2O2 |
| 3.DC.75 | Damaraite | Pb3Cl(OH)O2 |
| 3.DC.80 | Onoratoite | Sb8Cl2O11 |
| 3.DC.95 | Barstowite | Pb4Cl6(CO3) · H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Totally soluble in acids. Re-precipitates upon considerable dilution.
Very plastic.
Very plastic.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
White pigment
Internet Links for Bismoclite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-683.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Bismoclite
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.66
Bannister, F. A. (1935) The crystal-structure of the bismuth oxyhalides. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 24 (149) 49-58 doi:10.1180/minmag.1935.024.149.01
Mountain, Edgar D. (1935) Two new bismuth minerals from South Africa. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 24 (149) 59-64 doi:10.1180/minmag.1935.024.149.02
Mountain, Edgar D. (1935) Two new bismuth minerals from South Africa. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 24 (149) 59-64 doi:10.1180/minmag.1935.024.149.02
Frondel, Clifford (1943) New data on agricolite, bismoclite, koechlinite, and the bismuth arsenates. American Mineralogist, 28 (9-10) 536-540
Bhaskara Rao, A., Adusumilli, M.S. (1965) Bismoclite from Brazil. The Canadian Mineralogist, 8 (3). 390-391
Rulmont, A. (1974) Raman spectra of a single crystal of BiOCl. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular Spectroscopy, 30 (1). 311-313 doi:10.1016/0584-8539(74)80235-7
Keramidas, K. G., Voutsas, G. P., Rentzeperis, P. I. (1993) The crystal structure of BiOCl. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 205 (1). 35-40 doi:10.1524/zkri.1993.205.part-1.35
Testa, Francisco, Cooke, David, Zhang, Lejun, Mas, Graciela (2016) Bismoclite (BiOCl) in the San Francisco de los Andes Bi–Cu–Au Deposit, Argentina. First Occurrence of a Bismuth Oxychloride in a Magmatic–Hydrothermal Breccia Pipe and Its Usefulness as an Indicator Phase in Mineral Exploration. Minerals, 6 (3). 62 doi:10.3390/min6030062
Localities for Bismoclite
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.
Argentina | |
| Biglia et al. (2016) |
| Testa et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
| Rudashevsky et al. (2018) |
Australia | |
| Gilligan et al. (1993) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Frondel (1943) +1 other reference | |
| NHM Vienna collection (intergrown with zavaritskite, on catalogued zavaritskite specimen) +1 other reference |
| Rankin et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
| Sharpe et al. (2004) |
| R Bottrill |
| Pring et al. (1992) +1 other reference |
| Ehrig et al. (2012) |
| Tim Murphy pers comm |
| Birch et al. (2007) |
| Confirmed by Peter Elliot |
| Simpson Mineral Collection of the ... |
| Simpson Mineral Collection of the ... |
| Grguric et al. (2002) |
| Anthony (1997) |
Austria | |
| Auer (2019) |
Bolivia | |
| Wilson (2001) |
| Bedlivy et al. (1982) +1 other reference |
| Smith et al. (2001) +1 other reference |
Brazil | |
| Färber et al. (2011) |
| Teixeira (2014) |
| Bhaskara Rao et al. (1965) |
| Fernando Brederodes Collection |
| Cassedame et al. (1986) |
| Re-entry of old data +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Dare et al. (2014) |
| Li et al. (1993) | |
Chile | |
| M. Dini collection |
| samples analysed by Gerhard Moehn and ... |
China | |
| Xue et al. (2021) |
| Xue et al. (2021) | |
Czech Republic | |
| Matýsek et al. (2022) |
Egypt | |
| Ali et al. (2021) |
France | |
| Lheur et al. (2011) |
| Favreau et al. (2014) |
| Cap Garonne mine museum and CLAUDE jm ... | |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| |
| |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Desor (04/2020) |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (2018) +1 other reference |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) | |
| Liebhart et al. (2025) |
| Rieck et al. (2022) | |
| Rieck et al. (1999) |
Italy | |
| Orlandi et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
| Billows (1941) |
| Caboni et al. (2018) |
| Campostrini I. et al - Vulcano: ein ... +2 other references |
| Maggie Wilson |
| G. Marinelli (Isola d'Elba) +1 other reference | |
Japan | |
| Hori Mineralogy |
| Ii & Hori (1992) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Namibia | |
| Bezing et al. (2007) |
New Zealand | |
| Allibone et al. (2016) |
Norway | |
| Husdal (2019) |
| Ellingsen et al. (2000) |
| Kristiansen (2008) |
Pacific Ocean | |
| Eos Trans. AGU (48) |
Poland | |
| Kozłowski et al. (2018) |
Russia | |
| Kurguzova et al. (2014) |
| Zelenski et al. (2005) |
| Kalinin et al. (2024) |
| Kazachenko et al. (2021) |
| Ivashchenko et al. (2018, June) |
| Kondratieva et al. (2023) |
| Kondratieva et al. (2023) | |
| Kasatkin et al. (2022) |
| maurice.strahlen.org (2004) |
| Kasatkin et al. (2021) |
South Africa | |
| Armitage et al. (2002) |
| Gevers +2 other references |
| Mountain (1935) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022) |
| Rewitzer et al. (2018) |
| Sainz de Baranda Graf et al. (2023) |
| Sainz de Baranda Graf et al. (2023) |
Tajikistan | |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Lur'ye et al. (1971) +1 other reference |
UK | |
| Betterton (1996) |
| Steve Rust collection | |
| Tindle (2008) | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1990) |
| Anthony (1997) | |
| Miller et al. (1966) +1 other reference | |
| R. S. W. Braithwaite and J. R. Knight (1990) |
USA | |
| Adams (2010) |
| MarekC pers. coll. 2017-2018 +1 other reference |
| Schaller (1941) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Rocks & Minerals. Nov. 1999. | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Aird et al. (2021) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Foord et al. (1988) +1 other reference |
| Foord et al. (1988) | |
| Means et al. (1916) +3 other references |
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Golosina mine, Sierra Almagrera, Cuevas del Almanzora, Almería, Andalusia, Spain