Playfairite is a rare sulfosalt mineral with chemical formula Pb16Sb18S43 in the monoclinic crystal system,[3][4] named after the Scottish scientist and mathematician John Playfair.[5] It was discovered in 1966 by the Canadian mineralogist John Leslie Jambor.[2][6][7] Lead gray to black in color, its luster is metallic. Playfairite shows strong reflection pleochroism from white to brownish gray. Playfairite has a hardness of 3.5 to 4 on Mohs scale and a specific gravity of approximately 5.72.[3]

Playfairite
General
CategorySulfosalt minerals, Sulfides
Formula
(repeating unit)
Pb16Sb18S43
IMA symbolPyf[1]
Strunz classification2.LB.30 (10 ed)
2/E.20-40 (8 ed)
Dana classification3.6.4.1
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Unknown space group
Identification
ColorLead gray to black
CleavagePerfect
Mohs scale hardness3.5-4
LusterMetallic
StreakBlack
Specific gravity5.72
PleochroismStrong reflection
References[2]

The type locality is Taylor Pit (Concession XIV; Lot 13), Huntingdon Township, Hastings County in Ontario, Canada.[3] Small deposits have also been found in Les Cougnasses Mine, Orpierre in the Haut-Alpes in France, Khaidarkan Sb-Hg deposit (Chaidarkan), Fergana Valley, Alai Range, Osh Oblast, Kyrgyzstan and Reese River District, Lander County, Nevada, USA.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ a b Jambor, J.L. (1967). "New lead sulfantimonides from Madoc, Ontario; Part 2, Mineral descriptions" (PDF). Canadian Mineralogist. 9: 194–196.
  3. ^ a b c d "Information page for Playfairite". Mindat.
  4. ^ "Information page for Playfairite". Webmineral.
  5. ^ "Information page for Playfairite" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy.
  6. ^ Michael Fleischer (1968), "New Mineral Names" (PDF), American Mineralogist, 53: 1424
  7. ^ Lynne Jambor and John Dutrizac (2008), Memorial of John L. Jambor (1936-2008), American Mineralogist, vol. 93, pp. 710-712