Temagamite | |
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General | |
Category | Telluride mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) | Pd3HgTe3 |
IMA symbol | Tem [1] |
Strunz classification | 2.BC.50 |
Crystal system |
Orthorhombic Unknown space group |
Identification | |
Color | Bright white to grey |
Crystal habit | microscopic included grains |
Mohs scale hardness | 2.5 |
Luster | Metallic |
Diaphaneity | Opaque |
Specific gravity | 9.5 |
Pleochroism | Weak |
References | [2] [3] [4] |
Temagamite is a bright white palladium mercury telluride mineral with a hardness of 2+1⁄2 on the Mohs scale. Its chemical formula is Pd3 Hg Te3. It was discovered at the Temagami Mine on Temagami Island, Lake Temagami in 1973, [4] and it represents a rare mineral in the Temagami Greenstone Belt.
It occurs as microscopic inclusions within massive chalcopyrite at Temagami in association with other rare tellurides: merenskyite, stützite, hessite and an unnamed Pd-Hg-Ag telluride. [5] In addition to the discovery locality, it has been reported from the Stillwater igneous complex in Montana and the New Rambler copper– nickel mine in the Medicine Bow Mountains of Wyoming. [3]