Outstanding yellow orange microcrystals of the extremely rare Hg arsenate mineral chursinite from the TL in Kyrgyzstan (Khaidarkan Sb-Hg deposit (Chaidarkan; Hajdarkan), Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan). Chursinite is extremely rare from the TL. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Chursinite
Chursinite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the arsenate class, with the chemical formula Hg¹⁺Hg²⁺(AsO₄).
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/c).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3; specific gravity 9.06; Grayish yellow streak; Adamantine, nearly luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Csi, IMA status: approved, named in 1982.
Found in the oxidized zone of a Sb–As–Hg deposit.
It is found associated with Calomel, eglestonite, terlinguaite, corderoite, montroydite, kuznetsovite, shakhovite, poyarkovite, mercury.
In honor of the Russian theater and film actress Lyudmila Alekseevna Chursina (1941–).