Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Goldfieldite

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Big Photo

Mohawk Mine, Goldfield District, Esmeralda Co., Nevada, USA
© JBS 2006

Show Goldfieldite Photos (9)



Formula:
Cu
 
12
(Te,Sb,As)
 
4
S
 
13
System:IsometricColour:Dark lead-gray
Hardness:3 - 3½
Member of:Tetrahedrite Group
Name:After the type locality, the Mohawk Mine, Goldfield, Nevada, USA.


Tetrahedrite Group.

Classification of Goldfieldite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/C.11-60
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.GB.05

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
B : Neso-sulfarsenites, etc. with additional S
Dana 8th edition ID:3.3.6.6

3 : SULFOSALTS
3 : 3 <ø < 4
Hey's CIM Ref.:5.1.6

5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
1 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Cu
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-1721.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Goldfieldite

Type Locality:Mohawk Mine, Goldfield District, Esmeralda Co., Nevada, USA
Year of Discovery:1909

Occurrences of Goldfieldite

Geological Setting:Epithermal precious metal deposits

Physical Properties of Goldfieldite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Dark lead-gray
Hardness (Mohs):3 - 3½
Hardness (Vickers):VHN100=291 - 342 kg/mm2
Tenacity:Brittle
Density (calculated):4.95 g/cm3

Crystallography of Goldfieldite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:I4 3m
Cell Parameters:a = 10.304Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,094.00 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Massive, crusts
Structure
  Reference
Pohl D Liessmann W Okrugin V M (1996) Rietveld analysis of selenium-bearing goldfieldites Locality: Ozernoya deposit, Kamchatka, Russia. Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1996:1-8.

Show
Unit Cell | Structure | Polyhedra

Style
Black Background | White Background

Rotation
Stop | Start

Labels
Label Atoms | Off

More Crystal Structures
Click here to view more crystal structures at the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Chemical Properties of Goldfieldite

Formula:
Cu
 
12
(Te,Sb,As)
 
4
S
 
13
Essential elements:Cu, S, Te
All elements listed in formula:As, Cu, S, Sb, Te
Common Impurities:Ag,Fe,Zn,Bi

Relationship of Goldfieldite to other Species

Member of:Tetrahedrite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Argentotennantite
(Ag,Cu)
 
10
(Zn,Fe)
 
2
(As,Sb)
 
4
S
 
13
Freibergite
(Ag
 
4+2x
Cu
 
2-2x
)[(Cu, Ag)
 
4
(Fe, Zn)
 
2
]Sb
 
4
S
 
12
S
 
1-x
 (0 < x < 1)
Giraudite
(Cu,Zn,Ag)
 
12
(As,Sb)
 
4
(Se,S)
 
13
Hakite
(Cu,Hg,Ag)
 
12
Sb
 
4
(Se,S)
 
13
Tennantite
(Cu,Ag,Fe,Zn)
 
12
As
 
4
S
 
13
Tetrahedrite
(Cu,Fe,Ag,Zn)
 
12
Sb
 
4
S
 
13
Common Associates:
MarcasiteFamatiniteTennantiteHessitePetzite
SylvaniteAltaiteChalcostibiteChalcostibiteGold
KuramiteBismuthinitePyriteSphalerite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
2.GB.05Argentotennantite
(Ag,Cu)
 
10
(Zn,Fe)
 
2
(As,Sb)
 
4
S
 
13
2.GB.05Freibergite
(Ag
 
4+2x
Cu
 
2-2x
)[(Cu, Ag)
 
4
(Fe, Zn)
 
2
]Sb
 
4
S
 
12
S
 
1-x
 (0 < x < 1)
2.GB.05Giraudite
(Cu,Zn,Ag)
 
12
(As,Sb)
 
4
(Se,S)
 
13
2.GB.05Hakite
(Cu,Hg,Ag)
 
12
Sb
 
4
(Se,S)
 
13
2.GB.05Tennantite
(Cu,Ag,Fe,Zn)
 
12
As
 
4
S
 
13
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite
(Cu,Fe,Ag,Zn)
 
12
Sb
 
4
S
 
13
2.GB.10Selenostephanite
Ag
 
5
Sb(Se,S)
 
4
2.GB.10Stephanite
Ag
 
5
SbS
 
4
2.GB.15Pearceite
[(Ag,Cu)
 
6
(As,Sb)
 
2
S
 
7
][Ag
 
9
CuS
 
4
]
2.GB.15Polybasite
[(Ag,Cu)
 
6
(Sb,As)
 
2
S
 
7
][Ag
 
9
CuS
 
4
]
2.GB.15UM2003-14-S:AgBiFeTe
Ag
 
16
FeBiTe
 
3
S
 
8
2.GB.15Selenopolybasite
[(Ag,Cu)
 
6
(Sb,As)
 
2
(S,Se)
 
7
][Ag
 
9
Cu(S,Se)
 
2
Se
 
2
]
2.GB.15Cupropearceite
[Cu
 
6
As
 
2
S
 
7
][Ag
 
9
CuS
 
4
]
2.GB.15Cupropolybasite
[Cu
 
6
Sb
 
2
S
 
7
][Ag
 
9
CuS
 
4
]
2.GB.15UM1979-17-S:BiCuFe
Cu
 
18
Fe
 
4
BiS
 
16
2.GB.20Galkhaite
(Cs,Tl)(Hg,Cu,Zn)
 
6
(As,Sb)
 
4
S
 
12
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
5.1.1Sinnerite
Cu
 
6
As
 
4
S
 
9
5.1.2Tennantite
(Cu,Ag,Fe,Zn)
 
12
As
 
4
S
 
13
5.1.4Chalcostibite
CuSbS
 
2
5.1.5Tetrahedrite
(Cu,Fe,Ag,Zn)
 
12
Sb
 
4
S
 
13
5.1.7Emplectite
CuBiS
 
2
5.1.8Cuprobismutite
Cu
 
8
AgBi
 
12
S
 
24
5.1.9Wittichenite
Cu
 
3
BiS
 
3
5.1.10Hodrušite
Cu
 
8
Bi
 
12
S
 
22
5.1.11Giraudite
(Cu,Zn,Ag)
 
12
(As,Sb)
 
4
(Se,S)
 
13
5.1.11Permingeatite
Cu
 
3
SbSe
 
4

Other Names for Goldfieldite

Other Languages:
German:Goldfieldit
Russian:Голдфилдит
Spanish:Goldfieldita

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 Goldfieldite

Reference List:

- +
Ransome (1909), USGS Professional Paper 66: 116.

Sharwood (1911), Economic Geology: 6: 31.

Shannon (1917), American Journal of Science: 44: 469.

Tolman and Abrose (1934), Economic Geology: 29: 255.

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: 384.

Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen: 21: 1-10.

Shimizu, M. and C.J. Stanley (1991) Coupled substitutions in goldfieldite tetrahedrite minerals from the Iriki mine, Japan. Mineralogical Magazine: 55: 515-519.

Internet Links for Goldfieldite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Goldfieldite on Google
  • Look for Goldfieldite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Goldfieldite on Webmineral
  • Look for Goldfieldite on Athena Mineralogy[Link Broken?]
  • Look for Goldfieldite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Goldfieldite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • webminerals
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality low prices
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Goldfieldite specimens
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Pricedownminerals.com - Reverse Auctions and Shop
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Buy RARE Minerals from Rocks of Africa
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Search for Goldfieldite from all mineral dealers at minfind.com
  • Find Goldfieldite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • By minerals from YourMineralCollection
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Goldfieldite

    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.
    PUTZ, Hubert; PAAR, Werner H and TOPA, Dan. A contributionto the knowledge of the mineralization at mina Capillitas, Catamarca. Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent. [online]. 2009, vol.64, n.3, pp. 514-524.
    PUTZ, Hubert; PAAR, Werner H and TOPA, Dan. A contributionto the knowledge of the mineralization at mina Capillitas, Catamarca. Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent. [online]. 2009, vol.64, n.3, pp. 514-524.
    • La Rioja
      • Sierra de Famatina
    		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.
    Brotkorb (2002): las Especies Minerales de la Republica Argentina; Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2005): USGS Open-File Report 05-1060
    • Salta
      • Organullo Mining District
    		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.
    Australia
     
    • New South Wales
      • Narromine Co.
    		Allibone, A. (1998): Mineralium Deposita 33, 495-512.
    Bulgaria
     
    • Pazardzhik (Pazardjik) Oblast
      • Panagyurishte (Panagurishte) Obshchina
        • Elshitsa
    		Bogdanov, K., Tsonev, D., and Kuzmanov, K. (1997): Mineralium Deposita 32, 219-229.
        • Panagyurishte
    		Strashimirov, S., Petrunov, R., and Kanazirski, M. (2002): Mineralium Deposita 37, 587-598.; Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    • Sofiya Oblast (Sofia Oblast)
      • Chelopech
    		Chambefort, I., and Moritz, R. (2007): Mineralium Deposita 42, 665-690.
    Chile
     
    • Atacama Region
    		Economic Geology; January 2005; v. 100; no. 1; p. 131-148
    China
     
    • Shaanxi Province
      • Shangluo Prefecture
        • Luonan Co.
    		Enkui Cao (1991): Acta Mineralogica Sinica 11(3), 278-280
    Fiji
     
    • Vanua Levu
      • Wailevu
        • Yanawai Goldfield
    Greece
     
    • Aegean Islands (Aiyaíon) Department
      • Kykládes Prefecture
        • Cyclade Islands (Cyclades; Kikladhes; Nomos Kikladhon)
          • Tinos Island
    		Econ. Geol. 102 (2007) 1269-1294.
    • Thraki (Thrace; Thracia) Department
      • Évros Prefecture
        • Alexandroupoli (Alexandroupolis)
    		Vodouris, P. C. (2011): Conditions of formation of the Mavrokoryfi high-sulfidation epithermal Cu–Ag–Au–Te mineralization (Petrota Graben, NE Greece). Mineralogy and Petrology 101, 97-113.
          • Sappes Mine
    		Voudouris, P.; Tarkian, M.; Arikas, K. (2006): Mineralogy of telluride-bearing epithermal ores in the Kassiteres-Sappes area, western Thrace, Greece. Mineralogy and Petrology 87, 31-52.
      • Xánthi Prefecture
    		Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    Hungary
     
    • Heves Co.
      • Mátra Mts.
        • Parádsasvár (Üveghuta)
    		Szakáll & Gatter: Hun. Min. Spec., 1993
        • Recsk
    		Szakáll & Gatter: Hun. Min. Spec., 1993
    Szakáll & Jánosi: Minerals of Hungary, 1995
    Japan
     
    • Hokkaido
      • Sapporo
    		 Polymetallic mineralization at the Shin-Ohtoyo Deposit, Harukayama District, Hokkaido, Japan, Imai, Akira; Matsueda, Hiroharu; Yamada, Ryoichi; Masuta, Kenzo, Resource Geology (Tokyo 1998), vol.49, no.2, pp.75-88, 1999
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu Region
        • Shizuoka Prefecture
          • Shimoda City
            • Rendaiji
    		Sakurai & Kato (1970) Kobutsu-Gakkai Koen-Yoshi (Abstract of the Meeting of the Mineralogical Society of Japan), 26.; Int Geol Congr (2008) Oslo. MRD-09
      • Tohoku Region
        • Aomori Prefecture
          • Shimokita peninsula
    		K Jouhou, #131 (15-4-2002)
    • Kyushu Region
      • Kagoshima Prefecture
        • Satsuma-gun
          • Iriki
    		M. Shimizu and C.J. Stanley (1991) Min. Mag. 55, 515-519.
    Mexico
     
    • Sonora
      • Mun. de Moctezuma
    		Lapis 2001(1), 11-40
    Papua New Guinea
     
    • Sandaun Province (West Sepik Province)
      • Frieda river complex
    		Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2005): USGS Open-File Report 05-1060
    Romania
     
    • Hunedoara Co.
    		www.minerals-of-the-carpathians,2009
    Russia
     
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Kamchatka Oblast'
    		[Der Aufschluss 1995:4 p163-180]
    V.A. Kovalenker, O.Yu. Plotinskaya (2005): Te and Se mineralogy of Ozernovskoe and Prasolovskoe epithermal gold deposits, Kuril – Kamchatka volcanic belt. Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrology 43, 118-123. [http://www.geology.bas.bg/mineralogy/gmp_files/gmp43/Kovalenker.pdf]
      • Sakhalinskaya Oblast'
        • Kuril Islands
          • Kunashir Island
    		P.M. Kartashov data; V.A. Kovalenker, O.Yu. Plotinskaya (2005): Te and Se mineralogy of Ozernovskoe and Prasolovskoe epithermal gold deposits, Kuril – Kamchatka volcanic belt. Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrology 43, 118-123. [http://www.geology.bas.bg/mineralogy/gmp_files/gmp43/Kovalenker.pdf]
    • Urals Region
      • Southern Urals
        • Orenburgskaya Oblast'
          • Mednogorsk District
            • Sakmara Zone
    		Vikent'ev, I.V., Moloshag, V.P. and Yudovskaya, M.A. (2006): Geology of Ore Deposits 48(2), 77-107.
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Žiar nad Hronom Co.
    		Ďuďa R., 1993 : Die mineralien der Gold und Silber - lagersttäte von Kremnitz ( Kremnica) in der Slowakei. Mineralien Welt /Haltern,Nemecko/,5, s. 20 - 32; Dill, H.G. (1998): Mineralium Deposita 33, 359-378.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Mule Mts
          • Warren District
    		[MinRec 24:421]
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 237, 269; Graeme, R. (1993), Bisbee revisited, Min.Rec.: 24: 421-436.
        • Tombstone Hills
          • Tombstone District
    		Handbook of Mineralogy
    • Colorado
      • Hinsdale Co.
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Montana
      • Silver Bow Co.
        • Butte District (Summit Valley District)
          • Butte
            • Berkeley Pit
    		Handbook of Mineralogy
    • Nevada
      • Esmeralda Co.
        • Goldfield District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
          • McMahon Ridge
    		Econ Geol (1989) 84:2115-2138
    Hatfield Goudey Collection - circa 1936
    ZVMO 107 (1978), 100; HB1 (1990); Econ Geol (1989) 84:2115-2138
    • South Carolina
      • McCormick Co.
    		Seal II, R.R., Ayuso, R.A., Foley, N.K., and Clark, S.H.B. (2001): Mineralium Deposita 36, 137-148.
    • Utah
      • Juab Co.
        • East Tintic Mts
          • Tintic District
      • Utah Co.
        • East Tintic Mts
          • East Tintic District
    		SEM-EDS analysis done by Frank Keutsch. Collected by and in the collection of Brent Thorne.
    Uzbekistan
     
    • Tashkent (Toshkent) Viloyati
      • Angren Region
        • Chatkal-Kuraminskii Range
    		Kovalenker, V. et al New Data on Minerals (2003): 38: 45-56
    Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990; Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Handbook of Mineralogy
    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.
    Current server date and time: 11th Sep 2011 01:28:56
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds
    New Mineral Name: IMA2011-011From Uwe Kolitsch, 13th Feb 2012 11:29:36