Geographic Minerals

Clausthalite

Clausthalite

Clausthalite is a lead selenide mineral, PbSe. It forms a solid solution series with galena PbS. is a member of the Galena Group of minerals. Its properties are very similar to Galena as it shares basically the same structure.

It is a rare mineral, lead selenide, occurring in grayish, granular crystals that have a metallic luster. It was first described in 1832 and named for the discovery locality of Clausthal-Zellerfeld in the Harz Mountains, Germany.

General Information

  • Category: Selenide mineral
  • Formula: PbSe
  • Crystal system: Isometric
  • Crystal class: Hexoctahedral (m3m)

Properties

It is a mineral consisting of lead selenide PbSe and resembling galena in appearance (specific gravity 7.6–8.8)

  • Color: Bluish gray to lead-gray
  • Crystal habit: Massive to granular with euhedral crystals
  • Mohs scale hardness: 2.5
  • Luster: Metallic
  • Streak: grayish black
  • Diaphaneity: opaque
  • Specific gravity: 7.6 – 8.8

Occurrence

It occurs in low-sulfur hydrothermal deposits with other selenides and in mercury deposits. It is associated with tiemannite, klockmannite, berzelianite, umangite, gold, stibiopalladinite, and uraninite.

Association: Tiemannite, klockmannite, berzelianite, umangite, gold, stibiopalladinite, uraninite.

 

Information Source: