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Germanite

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Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia
© 2002 Thames Valley Minerals

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Formula:
Cu
 
13
Fe
 
2
Ge
 
2
S
 
16
System:IsometricColour:Pale greyish-pink
Lustre:Metallic, DullHardness:4
Name:In allusion to the germanium content.
This page provides mineralogical data about Germanite.

Classification of Germanite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/C.10-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.CB.30

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
B : With Zn, Fe, Cu, Ag, etc.
Dana 8th edition ID:2.9.4.2

2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:6.2.1

6 : Sulphosalts - Sulphostannates, Sulphogermanates,Sulpharsenates, Sulphantimonates, Sulphovanadates and Sulphohalides
2 : Sulphogermanates
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Type Occurrence of Germanite

Type Locality:Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia
Year of Discovery:1922
Geological Setting of type material:Primary hydrothermal ores
Associated Minerals at type locality:
RenieritePyriteTennantiteEnargiteGalena
GalenaDigeniteBornite

Physical Properties of Germanite

Lustre:Metallic, Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Pale greyish-pink
Comment:Tarnishes dark brown
Streak:Dark gray to black
Hardness (Mohs):4
Tenacity:Brittle
Density (measured):4.46 - 4.59 g/cm3
Density (calculated):4.30 g/cm3

Crystallography of Germanite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:P4 3n
Cell Parameters:a = 10.585Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,185.97 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:1
Morphology:Minute cubic crystals, massive, intergrown with renierite.

Optical Data of Germanite

Type:Isotropic
Colour in reflected light:Pinkish gray

Chemical Properties of Germanite

Formula:
Cu
 
13
Fe
 
2
Ge
 
2
S
 
16
Essential elements:Cu, Fe, Ge, S
All elements listed in formula:Cu, Fe, Ge, S
Common Impurities:Ga,Zn,Mo,As,V

Relationship of Germanite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
2.CB.05aColoradoite
HgTe
2.CB.05aHawleyite
CdS
2.CB.05aMetacinnabar
HgS
2.CB.05cPolhemusite
(Zn,Hg)S
2.CB.05bSakuraiite
(Cu,Zn,Fe)
 
3
(In,Sn)S
 
4
2.CB.05aSphalerite
ZnS
2.CB.05aStilleite
ZnSe
2.CB.05aTiemannite
HgSe
2.CB.05UM1998-15-S:CuFeZn
Cu
 
2
Fe
 
3
Zn
 
5
S
 
10
2.CB.05aRudashevskyite
(Fe,Zn)S
2.CB.10aChalcopyrite
CuFeS
 
2
2.CB.10aEskebornite
CuFeSe
 
2
2.CB.10aGallite
CuGaS
 
2
2.CB.10bHaycockite
Cu
 
4
Fe
 
5
S
 
8
2.CB.10aLenaite
AgFeS
 
2
2.CB.10bMooihoekite
Cu
 
9
Fe
 
9
S
 
16
2.CB.10bPutoranite
Cu
 
9
(Fe,Ni)
 
9
S
 
16
2.CB.10aRoquesite
CuInS
 
2
2.CB.10bTalnakhite
Cu
 
9
(Fe,Ni)
 
8
S
 
16
2.CB.10aLaforêtite
AgInS
 
2
2.CB.15aČernýite
Cu
 
2
(Cd,Zn,Fe)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15aFerrokesterite
Cu
 
2
(Fe,Zn)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15aHocartite
Ag
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15aIdaite
Cu
 
5
FeS
 
6
2.CB.15aKesterite
Cu
 
2
(Zn,Fe)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15aKuramite
Cu
 
3
SnS
 
4
2.CB.15bMohite
Cu
 
2
SnS
 
3
2.CB.15aPirquitasite
Ag
 
2
ZnSnS
 
4
2.CB.15aStannite
Cu
 
2
(Fe,Zn)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15cStannoidite
Cu
+
6
Cu
2+
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)
 
3
Sn
 
2
S
 
12
2.CB.15aVelikite
(Cu,Hg)
 
11
Sn
 
4
S
 
16
2.CB.15cUM2006-11-S:CuFeGeZn
Cu
 
8
(Fe,Zn)
 
3
Ge
 
2
S
 
12
 (?)
2.CB.20Chatkalite
Cu
 
6
FeSn
 
2
S
 
8
2.CB.20Mawsonite
Cu
 
6
Fe
 
2
SnS
 
8
2.CB.30Colusite
Cu
 
26
V
 
2
(As,Sn,Sb)
 
6
S
 
32
2.CB.30Germanocolusite
Cu
 
26
V
 
2
(Ge,As)
 
6
S
 
32
2.CB.30Nekrasovite
Cu
 
26
V
 
2
(Sn,As,Sb)
 
6
S
 
32
2.CB.30Stibiocolusite
Cu
 
13
V
 
4
(Sb,Sn,As)
 
3
S
 
16
2.CB.30Ovamboite
Cu
 
20
(Fe,Cu,Zn)
 
6
W
 
2
Ge
 
6
S
 
32
2.CB.30Maikainite
Cu
 
20
(Fe,Cu)
 
6
Mo
 
2
Ge
 
6
S
 
32
2.CB.35aHemusite
Cu
 
6
SnMoS
 
8
2.CB.35aKiddcreekite
Cu
 
6
SnWS
 
8
2.CB.35aPolkovicite
(Fe,Pb)
 
3
(Ge,Fe)
 
1-x
S
 
4
2.CB.35aRenierite
(Cu,Zn)
 
11
(Ge,As)
 
2
Fe
 
4
S
 
16
2.CB.35aVinciennite
Cu
+
7
Cu
2+
3
Fe
2+
2
Fe
3+
2
Sn(As,Sb)S
 
16
2.CB.35aMorozeviczite
(Pb,Fe)
 
3
Ge
 
1-x
S
 
4
2.CB.35bCatamarcaite
Cu
 
6
GeWS
 
8
2.CB.40Lautite
CuAsS
2.CB.45Cadmoselite
CdSe
2.CB.45Greenockite
CdS
2.CB.45Wurtzite
(Zn,Fe)S
2.CB.45Rambergite
MnS
2.CB.55aCubanite
CuFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.55bIsocubanite
CuFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.60Picotpaulite
TlFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.60Raguinite
TlFeS
 
2
2.CB.65Argentopyrite
AgFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.65Sternbergite
AgFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.70Sulvanite
Cu
 
3
VS
 
4
2.CB.75Vulcanite
CuTe
2.CB.80Empressite
AgTe
2.CB.85Muthmannite
AuAgTe
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
6.2.2Briartite
Cu
 
2
(Fe,Zn)GeS
 
4
6.2.3Renierite
(Cu,Zn)
 
11
(Ge,As)
 
2
Fe
 
4
S
 
16
6.2.4Argyrodite
Ag
 
8
GeS
 
6
6.2.5Canfieldite
Ag
 
8
(Sn,Ge)(S,Te)
 
6
6.2.6Morozeviczite
(Pb,Fe)
 
3
Ge
 
1-x
S
 
4
6.2.7Polkovicite
(Fe,Pb)
 
3
(Ge,Fe)
 
1-x
S
 
4

Other Names for Germanite

Other Languages:
German:Germanit
Russian:Германит
Spanish:Germanita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Germanite

Reference List:

- +
Pufahl (1922) Met. Erz: 19: 324.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 385-386.

American Mineralogist (1984): 69: 943-947.

American Mineralogist (1989): 74: 951.

Internet Links for Germanite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Germanite on Google
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    • External Links:
  • Look for Germanite on Webmineral
  • Look for Germanite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Germanite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Germanite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Germanite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
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  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • Search for - Germanite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • Find Germanite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
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  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality low prices
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
    • Specimens:The following Germanite specimens are currently listed for sale on minfind.com.
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    • Localities for Germanite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Argentina
     
    • Catamarca
      • Andalgalá Department
    		Milka K. de Brodtkorb (2002) Las Especies Minerales de la Republica Argentina. Vol. 1 (elements, sulphides and sulphosalts). (Asociacion Mineralogica Argentina); DE BRODTKORB, Milka K. Precious metaltellurides and other Te-bearing minerals in different paragenesis of Argentina: A review. Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent. [online]. 2009, vol.64, n.3, pp. 365-372.
    Armenia
     
    Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    Bulgaria
     
    • Pazardzhik (Pazardjik) Oblast
      • Panagyurishte (Panagurishte) Obshchina
        • Levski
    		Handbook of Mineralogy
    Cuba
     
    Handbook of Mineralogy
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Kipushi
    		Kamona, A.F., Lévêque, J., Friedrich, G., and Haack, U. (1999): Mineralium Deposita 34, 273-283.; Kampunzu, A.B., Cailteux, J.L.H., Kamona, A.F., Intiomale, M.M., and Melcher, F. (2009): Ore Geology Reviews 35, 263-297.
    Finland
     
    • Western Finland Province
      • Orivesi
        • Eräjärvi area
    		Sandström, F. & Lahti, S.I. (2009): Viitaniemipegmatiten i Eräjärvi, Orivesi, Finland. Litiofilen 26 (1): 11-38
    France
     
    • Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
      • Alpes-Maritimes
        • Guillaumes
    		R. Pierrot, P. Picot, J. Feraud, J. Vernet : "Inventaire Minéralogique de la France, N° 4, Alpes Maritimes", BRGM, 1974
    Greece
     
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
        • Lavrion District Mines
          • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium)
    		No reference listed
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu Region
        • Gifu Prefecture
          • Hida City
    		Geology and Mineral Resources of Japan, p 204 (Geological Survey of Japan, 1960)
      • Tohoku Region
        • Akita Prefecture
          • Odate
    		Dr. Hidemichi Hori (vol. 2)
        • Aomori Prefecture
    		Dr. Matsuo Nambu collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan)
    Namibia
     
    • Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region
      • Tsumeb
    		Metall und Erz, Halle,(1922) 19, 324-325; Rocks & Min.: 62:440.
    [MinRecord 28:124]
    • Otjozondjupa Region
      • Otavi
    		Kampunzu, A.B., Cailteux, J.L.H., Kamona, A.F., Intiomale, M.M., and Melcher, F. (2009): Ore Geology Reviews 35, 263-297.
    Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
     
    • Bouenza Department
      • Boko Songho District
    		Handbook of Mineralogy
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Chitinskaya Oblast'
    • Urals Region
      • Southern Urals
        • Chelyabinsk Oblast'
          • Magnitogorsk
    		Belogub, E.V., Novoselov, K.A., Yakovleva, V.A., and Spiro, B. (2008): Ore Geology Reviews 33, 239-254.
          • Verkhneural'sk District
            • Mezhozerny settlement
    		Amplieva, E.E. (2008): Geology of Ore Deposits 50(5), 404-422.
    USA
     
    • Alaska
      • Northwest Arctic Borough
        • Shungnak District
          • Ruby Creek Prospect
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2008, Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1225.
    • Colorado
      • Boulder Co.
        • Jamestown District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2011. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
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