Drysdallite Explained

Drysdallite
Formula:MoSe1.5S0.5
Imasymbol:Dry[1]
Molweight:230.41 gm
Strunz:2/D.25-30
Dana:1.12.10.2
System:Hexagonal - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal
Symmetry:P63/mmc (No. 194)
Unit Cell:120.94 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Colour:Grayish-black
Cleavage:Perfect
Tenacity:Waxy, pliable, difficult to pulverise
Mohs:2
Luster:Metallic
Streak:Brown-black
Gravity:6.248 (Calculated)
Density:6.248 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Pleochroism:Strong, white to very pale grey, to pinkish grey

Drysdallite is a rare molybdenum selenium sulfide mineral with formula Mo(Se,S)2. It crystallizes in the hexagonal system as small pyramidal crystals or in cleavable masses. It is an opaque metallic mineral with a Mohs hardness of 1 to 1.5 and a specific gravity of 6.25. Like molybdenite it is pliable with perfect cleavage.

It was first described in 1973 for an occurrence in an oxidized uranium deposit near Solwezi, Zambia. It was named for Alan Roy Drysdall, the director of the Zambian geological survey.

References

Notes and References

  1. Warr. L.N.. 2021. IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine. 85. 3. 291–320. 10.1180/mgm.2021.43. 2021MinM...85..291W. 235729616. free.