Idaite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Idaite
Formula:
Cu5FeS6
Very close to Cu5.5FeS6.5 according to Sugaki et al. (1975).
Colour:
red-brown, bronzy-brown, or coppery-red, like untarnished bornite.
Lustre:
Metallic, Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
2½ - 3½
Specific Gravity:
4.2 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named for the type locality, the Ida mine in Namibia.
Type Locality:
Grandfathered but inadequately described and questionable mineral; name may refer to both impure nukundamite, which was originally called "idaite", or to a tetragonal phase close to Sn-poor mawsonite (Rice et al., 1979). Most data here are consistent with nukundamite.
It has sometimes been placed in Stannite Group but the formula and crystal system are incompatible. The IMA formula appears incorrect.
A lamellar, strongly anisotropic, bronze-coloured, decomposition product of bornite, commonly associated with fine spindles of chalcopyrite; apparently of secondary origin, a first product of secondary enrichment.
Chemically similar to bornite.
It has sometimes been placed in Stannite Group but the formula and crystal system are incompatible. The IMA formula appears incorrect.
A lamellar, strongly anisotropic, bronze-coloured, decomposition product of bornite, commonly associated with fine spindles of chalcopyrite; apparently of secondary origin, a first product of secondary enrichment.
Chemically similar to bornite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2002
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2002:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
3df280ec-ffd9-494d-a78f-9e020095959d
IMA Classification of Idaite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu3FeS4
First published:
1958
Classification of Idaite
2.CB.15a
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.
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.
2.9.14.1
2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
3.1.29
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
1 : Sulphides etc. of Cu
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
1 : Sulphides etc. of Cu
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Ida | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Ida | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Idaite
Metallic, Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
red-brown, bronzy-brown, or coppery-red, like untarnished bornite.
Hardness:
2½ - 3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
4.2 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Idaite
Anisotropism:
Strong, reddish orange to reddish brown
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
---|---|---|
400nm | 13.9% | 17.7% |
420nm | 14.8% | 18.5% |
440nm | 15.7% | 19.3% |
460nm | 16.9% | 21.0% |
480nm | 18.4% | 23.2% |
500nm | 20.5% | 25.5% |
520nm | 23.2% | 27.8% |
540nm | 26.1% | 29.4% |
560nm | 28.9% | 30.6% |
580nm | 30.6% | 31.4% |
600nm | 31.9% | 31.6% |
620nm | 32.8% | 31.9% |
640nm | 33.5% | 32.2% |
660nm | 34.1% | 32.8% |
680nm | 34.7% | 33.2% |
700nm | 35.2% | 33.7% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 35.2%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Red-orange to yellow-grey.
Chemistry of Idaite
Mindat Formula:
Cu5FeS6
Very close to Cu5.5FeS6.5 according to Sugaki et al. (1975).
Very close to Cu5.5FeS6.5 according to Sugaki et al. (1975).
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Idaite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.90 Å, c = 16.95 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 4.346
Unit Cell V:
223.27 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Lamellar.
Comment:
Space group unknown.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.38 Å | (5) |
3.27 Å | (60) |
3.14 Å | (100) |
3.00 Å | (5) |
2.82 Å | (100) |
2.70 Å | (80) |
2.42 Å | (40) |
2.20 Å | (40) |
2.13 Å | (5) |
1.89 Å | (100) |
1.85 Å | (100) |
1.79 Å | (5) |
1.73 Å | (40) |
1.686 Å | (5) |
1.630 Å | (60) |
1.564 Å | (100) |
1.500 Å | (5) |
1.442 Å | (40) |
1.317 Å | (80) |
1.275 Å | (5) |
1.225 Å | (40) |
1.206 Å | (40) |
1.188 Å | (5) |
1.161 Å | (60) |
1.141 Å | (5) |
1.104 Å | (5) |
1.091 Å | (20) |
1.081 Å | (80) |
1.058 Å | (40) |
1.043 Å | (80) |
1.017 Å | (40) |
1.006 Å | (40) |
0.987 Å | (40) |
Comments:
ICDD 13-161. Research articles suggest that idaite needs re-investigation.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration | 4.566-4.550 |
6 : Secondary asteroid phases | 4.566-4.560 |
High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Type Occurrence of Idaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Lamellar.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Not recorded.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A decomposition product of bornite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Frenzel, G. (1959) Ein neues Mineral: Idait, natürliches Cu5FeS6. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Abhandlungen: 93: 87–114
Synonyms of Idaite
Copper Sulphides (in part)
Other Language Names for Idaite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
52 photos of Idaite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
51 photos of Idaite associated with Covellite | CuS |
31 photos of Idaite associated with Bornite | Cu5FeS4 |
10 photos of Idaite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
5 photos of Idaite associated with Tennantite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S |
2 photos of Idaite associated with Digenite | Cu9S5 |
1 photo of Idaite associated with Charoite | (K,Sr)15-16(Ca,Na)32[Si6O11(O,OH)6]2[Si12O18(O,OH)12]2[Si17O25(O,OH)18]2(OH,F)4 · ~3H2O |
1 photo of Idaite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
1 photo of Idaite associated with Pectolite | NaCa2Si3O8(OH) |
1 photo of Idaite associated with Nukundamite | Cu3.33Fe0.66S4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
2.CB. | Agmantinite | Ag2MnSnS4 |
2.CB. | Richardsite | Zn2CuGaS4 |
2.CB. | Gachingite | Au(Te1-xSex) |
2.CB. | Tolstykhite | Au3S4Te6 |
2.CB. | Hanswilkeite | KFeS2 |
2.CB. | Auroselenide | AuSe |
2.CB. | Ruizhongite | (Ag2◻)Pb3Ge2S8 |
2.CB. | Okruginite | Cu2SnSe3 |
2.CB.05a | Coloradoite | HgTe |
2.CB.05a | Hawleyite | CdS |
2.CB.05a | Metacinnabar | HgS |
2.CB.05c | Polhemusite | (Zn,Hg)S |
2.CB.05b | Sakuraiite | (Cu,Zn,Fe)3(In,Sn)S4 |
2.CB.05a | Sphalerite | ZnS |
2.CB.05a | Stilleite | ZnSe |
2.CB.05a | Tiemannite | HgSe |
2.CB.05 | UM1998-15-S:CuFeZn | Cu2Fe3Zn5S10 |
2.CB.05a | Rudashevskyite | (Fe,Zn)S |
2.CB.05a | Ishiharaite | (Cu,Ga,Fe,In,Zn)S |
2.CB.07a | Shenzhuangite | NiFeS2 |
2.CB.07a | Unnamed (Cu-Mn-Sn Sulpide) | Cu2MnSnS4 |
2.CB.10a | Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
2.CB.10a | Eskebornite | CuFeSe2 |
2.CB.10a | Gallite | CuGaS2 |
2.CB.10b | Haycockite | Cu4Fe5S8 |
2.CB.10a | Lenaite | AgFeS2 |
2.CB.10b | Mooihoekite | Cu9Fe9S16 |
2.CB.10b | Putoranite | Cu1.1Fe1.2S2 |
2.CB.10a | Roquesite | CuInS2 |
2.CB.10b | Talnakhite | Cu9(Fe,Ni)8S16 |
2.CB.10a | Laforêtite | AgInS2 |
2.CB.10a | Unnamed (Cu-Zn-In Sulphide) | CuZn2InS4 |
2.CB.10a | UM1984-30-S:CuFeSn | Cu2Fe2Sn3S7 |
2.CB.10c | Omariniite | Cu8Fe2ZnGe2S12 |
2.CB.15a | Černýite | Cu2(Cd,Zn,Fe)SnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Ferrokësterite | Cu2FeSnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Hocartite | Ag2(Fe2+,Zn)SnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Kësterite | Cu2ZnSnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Kuramite | Cu3SnS4 |
2.CB.15b | Mohite | Cu2SnS3 |
2.CB.15a | Pirquitasite | Ag2ZnSnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Stannite | Cu2FeSnS4 |
2.CB.15c | Stannoidite | Cu+6Cu2+2(Fe2+,Zn)3Sn2S12 |
2.CB.15a | Velikite | Cu2HgSnS4 |
2.CB.15c | UM2006-11-S:CuFeGeZn | Cu8(Fe,Zn)3Ge2S12 (?) |
2.CB.17a v | Arsenic-bearing Renierite | Cu11GeAsFe4S16 |
2.CB.20 | Chatkalite | Cu6FeSn2S8 |
2.CB.20 | Mawsonite | Cu6Fe2SnS8 |
2.CB.30 | Argyropyrite | near Ag2Fe7S11 |
2.CB.30 | Colusite | Cu13VAs3S16 |
2.CB.30 | Germanite | Cu13Fe2Ge2S16 |
2.CB.30 | Germanocolusite | Cu26V2(Ge,As)6S32 |
2.CB.30 | Nekrasovite | Cu26V2(Sn,As,Sb)6S32 |
2.CB.30 | Stibiocolusite | Cu13V(Sb,Sn,As)3S16 |
2.CB.30 | Ovamboite | Cu20(Fe,Cu,Zn)6W2Ge6S32 |
2.CB.30 | Maikainite | Cu20(Fe,Cu)6Mo2Ge6S32 |
2.CB.30 | Frieseite | Ag2Fe5S8 (?) |
2.CB.35a | Hemusite | Cu6SnMoS8 |
2.CB.35a | Kiddcreekite | Cu6SnWS8 |
2.CB.35a | Polkovicite | (Fe,Pb)3(Ge,Fe)1-xS4 |
2.CB.35a | Renierite | (Cu1+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16 |
2.CB.35a | Vinciennite | Cu+7Cu2+3Fe2+2Fe3+2Sn(As,Sb)S16 |
2.CB.35a | Morozeviczite | (Pb,Fe)3Ge1-xS4 |
2.CB.35b | Catamarcaite | Cu6GeWS8 |
2.CB.40 | Lautite | CuAsS |
2.CB.42 | Lingbaoite | AgTe3 |
2.CB.45 | Cadmoselite | CdSe |
2.CB.45 | Greenockite | CdS |
2.CB.45 | Wurtzite | (Zn,Fe)S |
2.CB.45 | Rambergite | MnS |
2.CB.45 | Buseckite | (Fe,Zn,Mn)S |
2.CB.45 | Maletoyvayamite | Au3Se4Te6 |
2.CB.47 | Murchisite | Cr5S6 |
2.CB.50 | Zincselenide | ZnSe |
2.CB.50 | Wassonite | TiS |
2.CB.52 | Dzhezkazganite | ReMoCu2PbS6 ? |
2.CB.55a | Cubanite | CuFe2S3 |
2.CB.55b | Isocubanite | CuFe2S3 |
2.CB.60 | Picotpaulite | TlFe2S3 |
2.CB.60 | Raguinite | TlFeS2 |
2.CB.65 | Argentopyrite | AgFe2S3 |
2.CB.65 | Sternbergite | AgFe2S3 |
2.CB.70 | Sulvanite | Cu3VS4 |
2.CB.75 | Vulcanite | CuTe |
2.CB.80 | Empressite | AgTe |
2.CB.85 | Muthmannite | AuAgTe2 |
Fluorescence of Idaite
Not fluorescent in UV
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Idaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2002.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Idaite
Localities for Idaite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Angola | |
| Milesi et al. (2006) |
Antarctica | |
| El Gorsey et al. (1988) |
Argentina | |
| Minerales de la Republica Argentina |
| Singer et al. (2005) |
| Brodtkorb (2002) |
American Mineralogist: 51: 1-13 | |
| Milka K. de Brodtkorb (2002) |
| Brodtkorb (2002) |
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Mozgova et al. (2007) |
| Firstova et al. (2019) |
| Mozgova et al. (2000) |
Australia | |
| Base Metal Mineralisation at Mineral ... |
Gilligan et al. (1993) | |
Gilligan et al. (1993) | |
| Ehrig et al. (2012) |
Austria | |
| Huber et al. (1977) +1 other reference |
| Paar et al. (1982) +1 other reference |
| Tufar (1967) +1 other reference |
Hackenberg (2003) | |
| Tufar (1966) |
| R.Poeverlein (2016) |
R.Poeverlein (2016) | |
R.Poeverlein (2016) | |
| Vavtar (1986) |
| Vohryzka (1968) +1 other reference |
Belgium | |
| Hatert et al. (2014) |
| Michel Blondieau. +5 other references |
| Hatert (1996) +1 other reference |
Brazil | |
| Bello (1986) |
Bulgaria | |
| Bul. Acad. Sci. (1998) |
| Bogdanov et al. (1997) |
| Anthony et al. (1990) |
| Cioacă et al. (2018) |
| American Mineralogist (1966) +1 other reference |
| Mladenova et al. (2017) |
Canada | |
| Goble R J (1980) |
Goble R J (1980) | |
| Minfile Database (2017) |
| Badham et al. (1980) |
| Wilson et al. (2013) |
| Mineralium Deposita 44 (2009) |
| Econ Geol (1994) |
Chile | |
| Singer et al. (2008) |
| Cook (1978) |
| "Faja de mineralización de oro +2 other references |
Henley et al. (2012) +1 other reference | |
China | |
| Lin et al. (2002) |
| Zhengqin Li (1991) |
| Zhengqin Li (1991) |
Cyprus | |
| American Mineralogist (1975) +1 other reference |
DR Congo | |
| Deliens (1996) |
| J. Cailteux (Shaba, République du Zaïre) |
Europe | |
| Ferenc et al. (2001) |
Fiji | |
| Economic Geology +6 other references |
Finland | |
| Mutanen |
| Nurmi |
France | |
| Picot et al. (1977) |
| Pélisson (1989) |
| Pélisson (1989) |
| Wittern et al. (Cologne) |
| Cesbron et al. (1985) +1 other reference |
| Chauris (2014) |
| R.PIERROT et al. (1973) |
| Chauris (2014) |
| H. Azias et al. : "Le problème du ... |
H. Azias et al. : "Le problème du ... | |
| Briggs (1975) |
| Briggs (1975) |
| |
| |
| Mineralogical Record 2011 42:0-32 +1 other reference |
| R. Pierrot |
| R. Pierrot |
| R. Pierrot |
| R. Pierrot |
R. Pierrot | |
R. Pierrot | |
| R. Pierrot |
| A. Sinojmeri et al. (Hautes Alpes) |
| R. Pierrot |
| R. Pierrot |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Kopp et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Heider (2014) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Krupp (1989) |
| Wittern (2001) |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya |
India | |
| Sikka et al. (1991) +1 other reference |
| Tripathi et al. (2022) |
Indian Ocean | |
| Wang et al. (2018) |
Indonesia | |
| Econ Geol (1997) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Bedognè et al. (1993) |
| AA. VV. |
| Venerandi Pirri (2002) |
| Exel (1987) |
Japan | |
| Dr. Matsuo Nambu collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan) +1 other reference |
| - (microprobe analysis of specimen field collected by Alfredo Petrov) |
| Nagashima et al. (2021) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Baibatsha et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
| Duczmal-Czernikiewicz et al. (2021) |
Morocco | |
| S. Weiß: Lapis 31 (7/8) |
Namibia (TL) | |
| Frenzel (1958) |
| Gebhard (1999) |
New Zealand | |
| Mason et al. (Zn) |
Norway | |
| Krause (1965) +1 other reference |
| Neumann (1985) |
| Frenzel (1960) |
| Cook et al. (2008) |
| Dons (1963) |
| Krause (1965) +1 other reference |
| Geological Survey of Norway. The Ore ... |
| Bergstøl et al. (1974) |
| Witsø (1995) |
Witsø (1995) | |
Geological Survey of Norway. The Ore ... | |
| Størseth (2016) |
| Pinet et al. (1985) |
Pacific Ocean | |
| Econ Geol (1985) |
Papua New Guinea | |
| Noku et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
| Espi et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
Peru | |
| Weigeli (1994) +1 other reference |
Philippines | |
| Singer et al. (2008) |
| Singer et al. (2008) |
Poland | |
| Mochnacka et al. (2012) |
| Mochnacka et al. (2015) |
| Mochnacka et al. (2015) |
Chmielewski et al. (2016) | |
| Kucha H. 2007: Mineralogia kruszcowa i ... |
| Manecki (Polish Geological Institute) |
Romania | |
| Constantinescu et al. (1982) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| [Lapis 1993:4 p.13-20] +2 other references |
| Kaneva et al. (2020) |
| Andreeva et al. (2013) |
| Ivashchenko et al. (2011, September) |
| Gongalsky et al. (2019) |
Serbia | |
| Albrecht von Quadt et al. (2007) |
| Aleksandar Pacevski (2007) |
Slovakia | |
| Ferenc Š. & Rojkovič I. |
| Ďuďa R. et al. ( Kotterbach ) |
Sweden | |
| Pieslinger (2023) |
| Dobbe (1991) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Schweizer Strahler |
| Ansermet (2012) |
| Ansermet (2012) |
| Ansermet (2012) |
Stalder et al. (1998) +1 other reference | |
| Ansermet (2012) |
Turkey | |
| Oyman (2010) |
| GÜNER (1980) |
| Çağatay et al. (1989) |
UK | |
| Ixer et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Ixer et al. (2005) |
USA | |
| - (2008) |
USGS OFR 99-342 | |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
| Merritt Stephen Enders (2000) |
| Dunning et al. (2005) |
| - (2005) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Mines of the Washington D.C Area |
| Econ Geol (1986) +1 other reference |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Econ Geol (1986) |
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Undu mine, Nukundamu, Vanua Levu, Fiji