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Fairbankite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Fairbankite
Nathaniel K. Fairbank
Formula:
Pb2+12(Te4+O3)11(SO4)
Formerly asssumed to be PbTeO3.
Colour:
Colorless
Lustre:
Adamantine, Resinous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
7.45 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named for Nathaniel Kellogg Fairbank (20 October 1829, Sodus, New York, USA - 27 March 1903), an important figure in the early development of Tombstone, Arizona. It was he who organized the company that developed the Grand Central lode, the type locality.
Chemically similar to adanite; and somewhat to northstarite; and schieffelinite. Also compare bairdite, eztlite, and tlapallite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1439
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1439:3
Similar Names
| Fairbanksite | A discredited species name |
IMA Classification of Fairbankite
Approved
IMA status notes:
Redefined by the IMA
IMA Formula:
Pb2+12(Te4+O3)11(S6+O4)
Approval year:
1979
First published:
1979
Approval history:
Formula redefinition by IMA 19-I (https://www.eur-j-mineral.net/32/275/2020/).
Classification of Fairbankite
4.JK.50
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
34.1.2.1
34.1.2.1
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
1 : A(XO3)
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
1 : A(XO3)
28.3.13
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Fbk | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Fairbankite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Fairbankite
Adamantine, Resinous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
7.45 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Fairbankite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 2.29 nβ = 2.31 nγ = 2.33
2V:
Measured: 86° , Calculated: 88°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.040
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
strong
Chemistry of Fairbankite
Mindat Formula:
Pb2+12(Te4+O3)11(SO4)
Formerly asssumed to be PbTeO3.
Formerly asssumed to be PbTeO3.
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Fairbankite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pedial
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.0205(3) Å, b = 10.6828(6) Å, c = 14.4916(8) Å
α = 75.161(5)°, β = 81.571(4)°, γ = 83.744(4)°
α = 75.161(5)°, β = 81.571(4)°, γ = 83.744(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.657 : 1 : 1.357
Unit Cell V:
1,036.35 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Comment:
Originally given cell (space group P-1): 7.81, 7.11, 6.96 Å, 117.2, 93.78, 93.4°.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.268 Å | (100) |
| 3.151 Å | (82) |
| 3.025 Å | (50) |
| 3.105 Å | (49) |
| 1.923 Å | (35) |
| 2.830 Å | (34) |
| 2.520 Å | (34) |
Comments:
Grand Central mine, Arizona, USA. Data from Missen et al. (2021).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Fairbankite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
1) Natural History Museum, Paris
2) The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1980,540
3) National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 160238.
2) The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1980,540
3) National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 160238.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Fairbankite
Other Language Names for Fairbankite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Fairbankite associated with Jarosite | KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 2 photos of Fairbankite associated with Winstanleyite | TiTe4+3O8 |
| 1 photo of Fairbankite associated with Chlorargyrite | AgCl |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JK. | Matthiasweilite | PbTe4+O3 |
| 4.JK. | Zhaoyuanite | MnZnTe4+4O10 |
| 4.JK.05 | Walfordite | (Fe3+,Te6+)Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.05 | Winstanleyite | TiTe4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.10 | Zincospiroffite | Zn2Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.10 | Spiroffite | Mn2+2Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.15 | Balyakinite | Cu(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.20 | Rajite | Cu(Te4+2O5) |
| 4.JK.25 | Carlfriesite | CaTe4+2Te6+O8 |
| 4.JK.30 | Chenzhangruite | MnFe2+Te4+4O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Stankeithite | Mn2+Mn2+Te4+4 O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Paulhlavaite | CaCuTe4+ 4O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Denningite | CaMn2+Te4+4O10 |
| 4.JK.35 | Chekhovichite | Bi2Te4+4O11 |
| 4.JK.40 | Smirnite | Bi2Te4+O5 |
| 4.JK.45 | Choloalite | (Cu,Sb)3(Pb,Ca)3(TeO3)6Cl |
| 4.JK.55 | Plumbotellurite | Pb(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.60 | Magnolite | [Hg2]2+[Te4+O3] |
| 4.JK.65 | Moctezumite | Pb(UO2)(TeO3)2 |
| 4.JK.70 | Schmitterite | (UO2)(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.75 | Cliffordite | (UO2)Te4+3O7 |
Other Information
Notes:
Easy fusion to a grey slag. Very slowly soluble in cold dilute HNO3 and HCl but solubility is easy when warmed.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Fairbankite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1439.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Fairbankite
Reference List:
Williams, S. A. (1979) Girdite, oboyerite, fairbankite, and winstanleyite, four new tellurium minerals from Tombstone, Arizona. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (328) 453-457 doi:10.1180/minmag.1979.043.328.01
Fleischer, Michael, Cabri, Louis J., Chao, G. Y., Pabst, Adolf (1980) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 65 (7-8) 808-814 p.809
Localities for Fairbankite
Showing 5 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
USA (TL) | |
| Williams (1979) +1 other reference |
| Kampf et al. (2026) |
| Robert M. Housley (2005) |
| Hayes et al. (2019) |
| Kampf et al. (2022) |
Quick NavTopAbout FairbankiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Tombstone, Tombstone Mining District, Cochise County, Arizona, USA