Thalhammerite forms very small inclusions (from a few μm up to about 40–50 μm) in galena, chalcopyrite, and also in bornite. Digital image in reflected plane polarized light showing inclusions of thalhammerite in galena (gn) in association with (a) chalcopyrite (ccp). — Photo: Vymazalová, Anna and Laufek, František and Sluzhenikin, Sergey F. and Kozlov, Vladimir V. and Stanley, Chris J. and Plášil, Jakub and Zaccarini, Federica and Garuti, Giorgio and Bakker, Ronald · CC BY 4.0
Thalhammerite
Thalhammerite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfosalt class, with the chemical formula Pd₉Ag₂Bi₂S₄.
It crystallizes in the tetragonal crystal system (space group I4/mmm). It is a member of the Thalhammerite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 9.72; specific gravity 9.72; Metallic luster.
IMA symbol Tha, IMA status: approved, named in 2018.
Found in vein-disseminated galena-pyrite-chalcopyrite and millerite-bornite-chalcopyrite deposits hosted by diopside-hydrogrossular metasomatites developed in diopside-monticellite skarns (Komsomolsky mine).
It is found associated with Braggite, vysotskite, stibiopalladinite, telargpalite, sobolevskite, kotulskite, sopcheite, moncheite, malyshevite, insizwaite, acanthite, aurian silver.
The mineral was named to honor Associate Professor Oskar Thalhammer (b. 1956), University of Leoben, Austria.