Hyršlite, Pb8As10Sb6S32, a new N = 3;3 member of the sartorite homologous series from the Uchucchacua polymetallic deposit, Peru

Hyršlite, Pb₈As₁₀Sb₆S₃₂, is a new member of the sartorite homologous series of Pb–(As,Sb) sulfosalts. It occurs in the Uchucchacua polymetallic deposit, Oyon district, Catajambo, Lima Department, Peru. Compositionally it lies between guettardite and twinnite on the one hand, and hendekasartorite on the other hand. Hyršlite is grey, opaque with metallic lustre. It is brittle, without observable cleavage or parting. Mohs hardness is derived as 4, based on VHN₂₅ range of microhardness (202–221, mean 215 kg mm⁻²). Density (calc.) = 5.26 g cm⁻³ using a simplified chemical formula. Reflectance percentages (R_min and R_max) for the four standard COM wavelengths are 32.6, 39.0 (470 nm), 32.1, 38.5 (546 nm), 31.5, 37.9 (589 nm), and 30.7, 36.7 (650 nm), respectively. The formula based on 32 S atoms per formula unit (apfu) is Pb_7.90Sb_5.98As_10.00S₃₂. The unit cell of hyršlite was refined from single-crystal data, with monoclinic symmetry, space group P2₁a = 8.475(3) Å, b = 7.917(3) Å, c = 20.039(8) Å, β = 102.070(6)^o, V = 1314.8(9) Å³. The crystal structure of hyršlite contains 12 independent cation and 16 distinct sulfur sites. There are four fully occupied Pb sites, two fully occupied As sites, one Sb site and five mixed (As,Sb) sites. In projection parallel to the 8.5 Å axis, the crystal structure is a typical member of the sartorite homologous series, a sartorite homologue N = 3;3, and homeotype of twinnite and guettardite. Opposing surfaces of the tightly bonded double-layer in the (As,Sb)-rich slabs of the structure have different cation configurations – one resembles coordinations observed in guettardite but the opposite one, with (As,Sb) cation pairs and single polyhedra, appears unique among sartorite homologues.