The chemical formula of mineral Hinsdalite is indicated by the formula (Pb, Sr)Al3PO4SO4(OH)6 or Lead Strontium Aluminum Phosphate Sulfate Hydroxide. Hinsdalite is actually a Sulfate mineral. Hinsdalite is also a member of the Beudantite mineral group. Mineral Hinsdalite was named after the type of locality at the Golden Fleece Mine, Lake City, Hinsdale County in Colorado. Hinsdalite was first discovered from this locality in the year 1911. Mineral Hinsdalite is also commonly known crystallizing in the trigonal system of crystal formation. Hinsdalite is most commonly used as mineral specimen and often found exhibiting wonderful microscope appearance when viewed with the aid of petrographic polarizing light microscope used in optical mineralogy.
This lead strontium mineral Hinsdalite is actually a very rare species. The classification of Hinsdalite is quite hard to distinguish because of both sulfate anion group and phosphate anion group are found in its chemistry. The presence of the phosphate anion group in the chemistry of Hinsdalite dictates the classification of mineral Hinsdalite under Phosphates mineral class. But it should be noted that the presence of sulfate anions in the chemistry of Hinsdalite is very essential and intricate in its structure. While the phosphate anion group can be actually replaced for to at least a limited degree by other anion groups. But then due to some other classification schemes, Hinsdalite can be placed under Phosphates mineral class category.
Hinsdalite is most commonly found yellow, golden yellow, greenish yellow, green to colorless in appearance and can be more fascinatingly attractive when viewed with the aid of polarizing microscopes used in optical mineralogy. Hinsdalite is commonly found exhibiting a vitreous to greasy luster in reflected light of polarizing microscope. Hinsdalite is most commonly found showing a basal and perfect cleavage in one direction when viewed with the aid of petrographic polarizing light microscope. Hinsdalite is most commonly found displaying uneven fracture under petrographic polarizing microscope for mineralogists. The specific gravity measure of the mineral usually gives an approximate value of 3.7 grams per cubic centimeters, which is considered above average for nonmetallic minerals. The hardness measure of Hinsdalite when it is evaluated using the Mohs scale method is usually 4.5. Hinsdalite is most commonly found leaving a white streak when mineral sample is rubbed on a white porcelain streak plate.
Most Hinsdalite specimens are found translucent and to small crystals being transparent in appearance. The crystal habit of mineral Hinsdalite as described in optical mineralogy usually include pseudocubic and pseudotetragonal rhombohedrons and modified rhombohedrons when evaluated with the aid of polarizing microscopes for geologists. Hinsdalite can also display clusters of spherical flakes and tablets that are usually more splendidly displayed under petrographic polarizing microscopes used in optical mineralogy. In can be clearly noticed that the faces of Hinsdalite mineral crystals tend to be curved and striated when viewed with the aid of polarizing microscopes. Sometimes Hinsdalite mineral crystals are found in granular or massive forms.
Hinsdalite mineral specimen is commonly found showing a uniaxial positive figure when viewed closely between crossed nicols of petrographic polarizing light microscope. Hinsdalite also exhibits a high surface relief when it is evaluated under several adjustments on the aperture diaphragm of the geological polarizing microscopes. The refractive index that is most commonly exhibited by the mineral is usually ranging from 1.670 to 1.700. The maximum birefringence found exhibited by the mineral is usually 0.019. There is no specific data found on the toxicity and health dangers for mineral Hinsdalite. However, the specimens of this mineral species should be treated with great care and use of sensible precaution is advised upon handling them. Mineral Hinsdalite is a non-radioactive mineral species.
The best field indicators of mineral Hinsdalite usually include locality, crystal habit, density, hardness and color. Mineral Hinsdalite is commonly associated with several other interesting minerals like pyrite, chalcocite, bornite, galena, sphalerite, pyrophyllite and covelite. Mineral Hinsdalite is a secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of polymetallic sulfide deposits. Hinsdalite is most commonly found forming as primary or early alteration mineral in some sulfide vein deposits with sulfides like pyrite, chalcocite, bornite, galena, sphalerite and covelite. Mineral Hinsdalite has limited occurrence to the type of localities at the Golden Fleece Mine, Lake City, Hinsdale County in Colorado. It can be also found at several other locations like Butte, Montana as well as some areas in the United States such as the Slate Mountain in El Dorado County, California and the Ithaca Peak Mine in Mohave County, Arizona.
