The open encyclopedia of minerals
GlossaryCite the database
Mineralogist.org
Minerals A–ZSearchCollectionsBrowse by PropertyIdentify a SpecimenCompare MineralsLocalities MapGlossaryContribute Search the Database →
Sulfide

Lavrentievite

Hg₃S₂Cl₂
Hardness2–2.5
Crystal systemTriclinic
ClassSulfide
←PrevLavoisieriteNextLawrencite→
Lavrentievite specimen

Lavrentievite is one of the rarest mercury minerals known, with only two very close known localities worldwide (Arzakskoye, Uyuk Range, Eastern Siberia, Russian Federation). It occurs in this specimen as yellowish aggregates associated to minoritary massive cinnabar. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0

Lavrentievite

Lavrentievite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfide class, with the chemical formula Hg₃S₂Cl₂.

It crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system.

Key properties: Mohs hardness 2–2.5; specific gravity 7.46; Vitreous to adamantine. R1 –R2: n.d luster.

IMA symbol Lvr, IMA status: approved, named in 1984.

Found in the oxidized zone of hydrothermal mercury-bearing deposits (Arzak and Kadyrel deposits, Russia).

It is found associated with Arzakite, cinnabar, corderoite, quartz, kaolinite (Arzak deposit, Russia); bromian calomel, bromian corderoite, bromian eglestonite, kuzminite, mercury.

The name refers to Mikhail Alekseevich Lavrent’ev (1900–1980), Institute of Hydrodynamics, Novosibirsk, Russia, founder of the Siberian Academy of Science.

Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet. Browse more L minerals or help write this entry.