How do I identify Bismoclite?

Bismoclite can be identified by its hardness of 2 - 2.5 on the Mohs scale, Cream-white color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Bismoclite?

Bismoclite typically appears in Cream-white, greyish, yellowish brown; colourless in thin section. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Bismoclite?

Bismoclite has a hardness of 2 - 2.5 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a soft mineral that can be scratched easily.

Bismoclite

A variety of Minerals

What is Bismoclite?

Bismoclite is a bismuth oxohalide mineral with formula BiOCl. It is the naturally occurring form of bismuth oxychloride. The name was derived from its chemical constituents. It is a secondary bismuth mineral first thought to be composed of bismuthyl ions (BiO) and chloride anions, however, the existence of the diatomic bismuthyl ion is doubtful. It is a member of the matlockite group. It was first described in 1935 from alluvium near bismuth-bearing pegmatites in South Africa. It has been found in association with granite pegmatite and in greisen. Associated minerals include bismutite, mica, jarosite, alunite, cerussite, atacamite, connellite. Occurrences include the type locality at Jackals Water, SW of Prieska, South Africa; Bygoo, Australia; the Tintic district in the East Tintic Mountains of Utah; and from Dalbeattie, Scotland.

Bismoclite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Bismoclite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Bismoclite Localities Map

See where Bismoclite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

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North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Composition of Bismoclite

The crystal structure of bismoclite was found to be composed of linked decahedrons, specifically a square antiprism. These decahedrons consist of 2 squares with sides of 3.487 Å (O-O-O-O and Cl-Cl-Cl-Cl) connected by 8 isosceles triangles (O-Cl-O and Cl-O-Cl), with a bismuth atom at the centre. The Bi-O distances and Bi-Cl distances are 2.316 Å and 3.059 Å, respectively. The O-Cl distances in the triangles are 3.249 Å. The decahedrons are linked to each other through shared O-Cl sides.