Black shiny microcrystals of the very rare mineral Zn-Hg sulphide mineral polhemusite from the famous Getchell mine in Nevada, associated to the typical realgar and orpiment from the locality. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Polhemusite
Polhemusite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfide class, with the chemical formula (Zn,Hg)S.
It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system. It is a member of the Sphalerite structural group.
Key properties: Resinous to adamantine luster.
IMA symbol Phe, IMA status: approved, named in 1972.
Occurs as part of a replacement deposit of stibnite (B and B deposit, Idaho, USA).
It is found associated with Stibnite, cinnabar, mercurian sphalerite, zincian metacinnabar (B and B deposit, Idaho, USA); realgar (Getchell mine, Nevada, USA).
In honor of Clyde Polhemus Ross (1891–1965), American economic geologist.