| Bayldonite | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General | |
| Category | Arsenate minerals |
| Formula (repeating unit) | PbCu3(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| IMA symbol | Bay[1] |
| Strunz classification | 8.BH.45 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | C2/c |
| Identification | |
| Color | Green, apple-green |
| Crystal habit | Mammillary crust |
| Twinning | Pseudoscalenohedral trillings with the composition plane |
| Cleavage | None observed |
| Fracture | Irregular/uneven, conchoidal, sub-conchoidal, fibrous |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 4+1⁄2 |
| Luster | Resinous, waxy, greasy |
| Streak | Siskin green to apple green |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent, translucent |
| Density | 5.24–5.65 g/cm3 (measured), 5.707 g/cm3 (calculated) |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (+) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.951 nβ = 1.970 nγ = 1.991 |
| Birefringence | 0.040 |
| Pleochroism | Non-pleochroic |
| 2V angle | 89° |
| Dispersion | r < v strong |
| Extinction | Y^elongation = 45°; X=b |
| References | [2][3][4] |
Bayldonite (BAIL-done-ite)[5] is a rare secondary mineral with the chemical formula PbCu3(AsO4)2(OH)2. Its provenance has been attributed to Penberthy Croft Mine, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom but there is no substantiating evidence for this and it was only attributed to Cornwall by Church (1865). Also, Church’s paper (Church, 1865) clearly states “I am indebted to Mr. Talling for this mineral species also.” so the original material was supplied by the mineral dealer Richard Talling and not discovered by Bayldon. [6][5] Bayldonite was named after Church's dear friend and colleague at the Royal Agricultural College (RAC),Cirencester, Gloucestershire John Bayldon MD (1837 – 1872).[7] Specimens are also found in Tsumeb, Namibia, and Arizona, United States. It is sometimes used as a gemstone.[8]
- ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
- ^ Mineralienatlas
- ^ "Bayldonite Mineral Data". Webmineral. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
- ^ "Bayldonite mineral information and data". Mindat. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
- ^ a b Thomas, Arthur (2008). Gemstones: properties, identification and use. New Holland Publishers. p. 159. ISBN 978-1-84537-602-4.[permanent dead link]
- ^ A. H. Church: XLI.—Chemical researches on some new and rare cornish minerals. In: Journal of the Chemical Society, 1865, 18, S. 259-268, doi:10.1039/JS8651800259.
- ^ A. H. Church: XLI.—Chemical researches on some new and rare cornish minerals. In: Journal of the Chemical Society, 1865, 18, S. 259-268, doi:10.1039/JS8651800259.
- ^ Gemstones: Properties, Identification and Use By Arthur Thomas, p.159