Name:

chlorargyrite

A photo of the mineral chlorargyrite

Class:

Halides

Chemistry:

AgCl Silver Chloride

Color(s):

colorless, pearly gray to brown, decomposes to violet or black upon exposure to sunlight streak: white

Hardness:

2.5

SpecGrav:

5.5 - 5.6

Fracture:

uneven

Cleavage:

perfect

Crystal:

isometric (crystals are somewhat rare as it decomposes easily to a powdery crust. Cubes are a common crystal habit when present)

Envronment:

alteration zone in epithermal veins, and hydrothermal replacement deposits

Association:

acanthite, barite, fluorite, calcite

Locals:

| Nevada, Calif., Idaho, USA | Chile | Germany | Bolivia | Peru | England | France | Australia |

Misc:

The name is derived from the Greek word "argyros", meaning "silver", not from the element, but from the silvery sheen of the minerals luster. "Chlor" does come from the elemental halide name, chlorine.

Photos
& Locals:

1.) Soda Mtns., San Bernardino, Calif.
2.) Soda Mtns., San Bernardino, Calif.

3.) Soda Mtns., San Bernardino, Calif.
4.) Soda Mtns., San Bernardino, Calif.

TheImage Home
Minerals by Name
Minerals by Class
Gemstones

Photo Information
Crystal Info
Bibliography