Galkhaite

 

Composition:  (Cs,Tl)(Hg,Cu,Zn)6(As,Sb)4S12

Crystal System:  Isometric (Cubic)

Color:  Red, orange red, black

Type Locality:  Gal-Khaya, Yakutia, Russia

 

Galkhaite is a complex sulfide found in low-temperature deposits.  It crystallizes in cubes, sometimes modified by dodecahedron faces.   Coloration ranges from deep red to orange red to black.  Galkhaite may darken to black after exposure to light.  

 

In Nevada, the best known occurrence of galkhaite is at the Getchell Mine in Humboldt County.  There, it occurs as small red to black cubes on quartz, sometimes reaching up to 5 millimeters in size.  It is also found at the Twin Creeks Mine, also in Humboldt County.  Worldwide, the mineral is fairly rare, with notable occurrences at Gal-Khaya (from where it takes its name), Yakutia, Russia and Khaidarkan, Kyrgyzstan. 

 

Deep red galkhaite cubes on quartz.  Each cube is 1 mm.  Photo by Ben Schumer.

 

 Reddish black twinned galkhaite crystals on quartz.  The crystals are cubes modified by dodecahedron faces.  Size of the group: 4 mm. Photo by Ben Schumer.

 

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