Peterbaylissite
Peterbaylissite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the carbonate class, with the chemical formula Hg₃(CO₃)(OH)·2H₂O.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pcab).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 5; specific gravity 7.14; Dark brownish black streak; Submetallic to adamantine luster.
IMA symbol Pby, IMA status: approved, named in 1993.
Very rare in a mercury deposit in silicate–carbonate rock, hydrothermally altered from serpentinite, probably formed as an alteration product of cinnabar.
It is found associated with Ferroan magnesiochromite, ferroan magnesite, cinnabar, metacinnabar, mercury, quartz.
The mineral was named to honor Dr. Peter Bayliss (1936–), Professor of Mineralogy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada, for his many contributions to mineralogy.