Mindat Logo

Kësterite

Formula:
Cu
 
2
(Zn,Fe)SnS
 
4
Colour:Greenish blackHardness:


Kësterite Subgroup. The zinc analogue of Ferrokësterite.

Classification of Kësterite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/C.06-80
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.CB.15

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:2.9.2.9

2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:6.1.11

6 : Sulphosalts - Sulphostannates, Sulphogermanates,Sulpharsenates, Sulphantimonates, Sulphovanadates and Sulphohalides
1 : Sulphostannates and other sulfides containing Sn
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-2189.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Kësterite

Type Locality:Kester Deposit, Arga-Ynnakh-Khai granite Massif, Yana-Adycha Region, Yana River Basin, Verkhoyansk, Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia), Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia

Physical Properties of Kësterite

Lustre:Metallic
Colour:Greenish black
Streak:Black
Hardness (Mohs):

Chemical Properties of Kësterite

Formula:
Cu
 
2
(Zn,Fe)SnS
 
4
Essential elements:Cu, S, Sn, Zn
All elements listed in formula:Cu, Fe, S, Sn, Zn

Relationship of Kësterite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Stannite (see here)
Member of:Kësterite Subgroup
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
2.CB.05Coloradoite
HgTe
2.CB.05Hawleyite
CdS
2.CB.05Metacinnabar
HgS
2.CB.05Polhemusite
(Zn,Hg)S
2.CB.05Sakuraiite
(Cu,Zn,Fe)
 
3
(In,Sn)S
 
4
2.CB.05Sphalerite
(Zn,Fe
2+
 
)S
2.CB.05Stilleite
ZnSe
2.CB.05Tiemannite
HgSe
2.CB.05Rudashevskyite
(Fe,Zn)S
2.CB.10Chalcopyrite
CuFeS
 
2
2.CB.10Eskebornite
CuFeSe
 
2
2.CB.10Gallite
CuGaS
 
2
2.CB.10Haycockite
Cu
 
4
Fe
 
5
S
 
8
2.CB.10Lenaite
AgFeS
 
2
2.CB.10Mooihoekite
Cu
 
9
Fe
 
9
S
 
16
2.CB.10Putoranite
Cu
 
9
Fe
 
9
S
 
16
2.CB.10Roquesite
CuInS
 
2
2.CB.10Talnakhite
Cu
 
9
(Fe,Ni)
 
8
S
 
16
2.CB.10Laforêtite
AgInS
 
2
2.CB.15Černýite
Cu
 
2
(Cd,Zn,Fe)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15Ferrokësterite
Cu
 
2
(Fe,Zn)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15Hocartite
Ag
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15Idaite
Cu
 
5
FeS
 
6
2.CB.15Kuramite
Cu
 
3
SnS
 
4
2.CB.15Mohite
Cu
 
2
SnS
 
3
2.CB.15Pirquitasite
Ag
 
2
ZnSnS
 
4
2.CB.15Stannite
Cu
 
2
(Fe,Zn)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15Stannoidite
Cu
+
6
Cu
2+
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)
 
3
Sn
 
2
S
 
12
2.CB.15Velikite
(Cu,Hg)
 
11
Sn
 
4
S
 
16
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.30Germanite
Cu
 
13
Fe
 
2
Ge
 
2
S
 
16
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.35Hemusite
Cu
 
6
SnMoS
 
8
2.CB.35Kiddcreekite
Cu
 
6
SnWS
 
8
2.CB.35Polkovicite
(Fe,Pb)
 
3
(Ge,Fe)
 
1-x
S
 
4
2.CB.35Renierite
(Cu,Zn)
 
11
(Ge,As)
 
2
Fe
 
4
S
 
16
2.CB.35Vinciennite
Cu
+
7
Cu
2+
3
Fe
2+
2
Fe
3+
2
Sn(As,Sb)S
 
16
2.CB.35Morozeviczite
(Pb,Fe)
 
3
Ge
 
1-x
S
 
4
2.CB.35Catamarcaite
Cu
 
6
GeWS
 
8
2.CB.40Lautite
CuAsS
2.CB.45Cadmoselite
CdSe
2.CB.45Greenockite
CdS
2.CB.45Hypercinnabar
HgS
2.CB.45Wurtzite
(Zn,Fe)S
2.CB.45Rambergite
MnS
2.CB.55Cubanite
CuFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.55Isocubanite
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
(Ag,Au)Te
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
6.1.1Kuramite
Cu
 
3
SnS
 
4
6.1.2Mohite
Cu
 
2
SnS
 
3
6.1.3Velikite
(Cu,Hg)
 
11
Sn
 
4
S
 
16
6.1.4Hemusite
Cu
 
6
SnMoS
 
8
6.1.5Kiddcreekite
Cu
 
6
SnWS
 
8
6.1.6Stannite
Cu
 
2
(Fe,Zn)SnS
 
4
6.1.7Rhodostannite
Cu
 
2
FeSn
 
3
S
 
8
6.1.8Mawsonite
Cu
 
6
Fe
 
2
SnS
 
8
6.1.9Chatkalite
Cu
 
6
FeSn
 
2
S
 
8
6.1.10Ferrokësterite
Cu
 
2
(Fe,Zn)SnS
 
4
6.1.12Stannoidite
Cu
+
6
Cu
2+
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)
 
3
Sn
 
2
S
 
12
6.1.13Černýite
Cu
 
2
(Cd,Zn,Fe)SnS
 
4
6.1.14Vinciennite
Cu
+
7
Cu
2+
3
Fe
2+
2
Fe
3+
2
Sn(As,Sb)S
 
16
6.1.15Pirquitasite
Ag
 
2
ZnSnS
 
4
6.1.16Hocartite
Ag
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)SnS
 
4
6.1.17Teallite
(Pb,Sn)SnS
 
2
6.1.18Franckeite
Pb
 
5
Sn
 
3
Sb
 
2
S
 
14
6.1.19Lévyclaudite
Pb
 
8
Sn
 
7
Cu
 
3
(Bi,Sb)
 
3
S
 
28
6.1.20Cylindrite
Pb
 
3
Sn
 
4
FeSb
 
2
S
 
14
6.1.21Potosíite
Pb
 
6
Sn
 
3
FeSb
 
3
S
 
16
6.1.22Sakuraiite
(Cu,Zn,Fe)
 
3
(In,Sn)S
 
4
6.1.23Petrukite
(Cu,Fe,Zn,Ag)
 
3
(Sn,In)S
 
4
6.1.24Incaite
(Pb,Ag)
 
4
Sn
 
4
FeSb
 
2
S
 
13

Other Names for Kësterite

Synonyms:
IsostanniteKhinganite
German names:
IsostannitKësteritKhinganit
Russian names:
Кестерит
Spanish names:
IsostannitaKësteritaKhinganita

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 Kësterite

Reference List:American Mineralogist (1958): 43: 1222.

American Mineralogist (1959): 44: 1329.

Zapiski Vserossiyskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva: 88: 165-168.

Canadian Mineralogist: 16: 131-137.

Canadian Mineralogist: 27: 673-688, 689-697.

Internet Links for Kësterite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Kësterite on Google
  • Look for Kësterite images on Google
  • External Links:
  • Look for Kësterite on Webmineral
  • Look for Kësterite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Kësterite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Kësterite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Kësterite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Kësterite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
  • Mineral Dealers:
  • Search for Kësterite at Thames Valley Minerals
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
  • Search for Kësterite on minvision.com
  • Buy Minerals and Crystals from Crystalarium.com
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs
  • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to find out how you can sponsor this page.

    Localities for Kësterite

    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.
    These maps work faster with Firefox!
    (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
     
    • Córdoba
      • Minas Department
    Sureda (1978): Revista de la Asociacion Geologica Argentina 33(4):299-324
    • Jujuy
      • Rinconada Department
        • Pirquitas Ag-Sn Deposit
    No reference listed
    • Río Negro
      • Valcheta
    Las Especies Minerales de la Republica Argentina, Milka K. de Brodtkorb, Asociacion Mineralogica Argentina 2002
    • Salta
      • Organullo Mining District
    Austria
     
    • Salzburg
      • Abtenau
        • Webing
    A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs (1989)
    Bolivia
     
    • Oruro Department
      • Cercado Province
    [MinRec 32:476]
    [MinRec 32:479]
    • Potosí Department
      • Saavedra Province
        • Machacamarca District (Colavi District)
    Salomon Rivas y Federico Ahlfeld (1998) Los Minerales de Bolivia y sus Parajes. (Santa Cruz)
    Bulgaria
     
    • Pazardzhik (Pazardjik) Oblast
      • Srednogorie (Sredna Gora; Srdnia Gora) Region
        • Panagyurishte (Panagurishte) Obshchina
          • Chelopech
    Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990; American Mineralogist (1966): 51: 29-36
    Canada
     
    • British Columbia
      • Revelstoke Mining Division
    Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
    • Manitoba
      • Lac-du-Bonnet area
        • Bernic Lake
    • New Brunswick
      • Charlotte Township
        • Fredericton
    • Ontario
      • Cochrane District
        • Kidd Township
          • Timmins
    ontariominerals.com
    China
     
    • Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
      • Hechi Prefecture
        • Nandan Co.
    Anthony, J.W. et al.: Handbook of Mineralogy
    • Sichuan Province
      • Mianyang Prefecture
        • Pingwu Co.
          • Mt Xuebaoding
    Hedland, A. (2004): Das Scheelit-Beryll-Kassiterit-Fluorit-Vorkommen von Huya-Zibeisha bei Pingwu, Provinz Sichuan, China. Mineralien Welt 15 (6), 46-57.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Aš (Asch)
    Čech, F., Hak, J.: Ferroan kesterite from Vernéřov, near Aš, Western Bohemia, Czechoslovakia. Acta Universitatis Carolinae – Geologica, 1982, vol. 26, nos. 1-2, s. 45-51.
    Finland
     
    • Lapin (Lapland) Lääni
      • Ylivieska
    No reference listed
    France
     
    • Brittany
      • Finistère
        • Huelgoat
    R.PIERROT, L. CHAURIS, C. LAFORET (1973) : "Inventaire minéralogique de la France : 29- Finistère.", B.R.G.M. Paris.
    • Burgundy
      • Saône-et-Loire
        • Bourbon-Lancy
          • Chalmoux
    Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
      • Hérault
    M. Munoz, Y.Moëlo : "Etude paragénétique de la minéralisation sulfurée complexe (Sb-Pb-Zn-...) de Bournac (Hérault, France)", Bull. Minéral. , 1982, 105, 625-632.
    • Limousin
      • Haute-Vienne
        • Nantiat
          • Vaulry
    P. Cantinolle et al. , Bull. Minéral. , 1985, 108, pp. 245-248
    Germany
     
    • Bavaria
      • Upper Palatinate
        • Oberpfälzer Wald
          • Waldsassen
            • Pfaffenreuth
    Lapis, 10 (9), 13-20+50.
    Germany & Czech Republic
     
    • Saxony & Ústí Region (Bohemia; Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Erzgebirge; Krusné Hory Mts
    Lapis 17(2), 31-35 (1992)
    Greece
     
    • Thraki (Thrace; Thracia) Department
      • Xánthi Prefecture
        • Kirki (Kirka)
    Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
      • Arsuk
        • Arsuk Firth
          • Ivittuut (Ivigtut)
    [www.hedegaard.com]
    Italy
     
    • Tuscany
      • Massa-Carrara Province
        • Apuan Alps
    Orlandi P., Franzini M., 1994. I minerali del marmo di Carrara. Amilcare Pizzi S.p.A., Milano.
    Orlandi P., Franzini M., 1994. I minerali del marmo di Carrara. Amilcare Pizzi S.p.A., Milano.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Kinki Region
        • Hyogo Prefecture
          • Asago-gun
            • Ikuno-machi
    No reference listed
    Norway
     
    • Nordland
      • Hemnes
        • Bleikvassli
    No reference listed
    Peru
     
    • Huancavelica Department
      • Castrovirreyna Province
        • Castrovirreyna District
    American Mineralogist 87:753-764
    Poland
     
    • Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie)
      • Rudawy Janowickie Mts
        • Czarnów
          • Rędziny
    Pieczka A., Gołębiowska B., Parafiniuk J. 2006: The stannite-group minerals from Rędziny (Lower Silesia, Poland). Mineralogia Polonica - Special Papers, vol. 28, 175 - 177
    Portugal
     
    • Beja District
      • Castro Verde
    Relvas, J. M. R. S. et al. (2006): Hydrothermal Alteration and Mineralization in the Neves-Corvo Volcanic-Hosted Massive Sulfide Deposit, Portugal. I. Geology, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry. Econ. Geology 101, 753-790.
    • Viseu District
    Ing Soen Oen : "Paragenetic relations of some Cu-Fe-Sn-Sulfides in the Mangualde Pegmatite, North Portugal", Mineral. Deposita (Berl.) 5, 59-84, 1970.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia)
        • Verkhoyansk
          • Yana River Basin
            • Yana-Adycha Region
              • Arga-Ynnakh-Khai granite Massif
    Switzerland
     
    • Wallis (Valais)
      • Binn Valley
        • Im Feld (Imfeld; Feld; Fäld)
    http://binn.strahlen.org/php/frame.php?section=loc&sub=1&infoid=2&name=M%E4sserbach
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cornwall
        • Callington District
          • Gunnislake Area
    Dr. Kurt Greenwall collection (Dr. Werner H. Paar analyses)
        • Mount's Bay District
          • Penzance - Ludgvan Area
            • Marazion
    No reference listed
        • St Agnes District
          • Perranzabuloe
            • Cligga Head
    No reference listed
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Mule Mts
          • Warren District
    [MinRec 24:421]
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 267; Graeme, R. (1993), Bisbee revisited, Min.Rec.: 24: 421-436.
    • Nevada
      • Lander Co.
        • McCoy District
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • South Dakota
      • Pennington Co.
        • Keystone District
          • Keystone
    Rocks & Minerals: 57: 160; Rocks & Minerals: 60: 110 & 112.
    Rocks & Min.:60:110,112 & 116.
    Am Min 70:9-10 pp 1044-1049
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon & Ida Ralph 1993-2008. 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. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.