Learning Center What is a mineral?The most common minerals on earth Information for Educators Mindat Articles The Elements The Rock H. Currier Digital Library Geologic Time

Minerals by Properties Minerals by Chemistry Advanced Locality Search Random Mineral Random Locality Search by minID Localities Near Me Search Articles Search Glossary More Search Options

The Mindat Manual Add a New Photo Rate Photos Locality Edit Report Coordinate Completion Report Add Glossary Item

Mining Companies Statistics Users Mineral Museums Clubs & Organizations Mineral Shows & Events The Mindat Directory Device Settings The Mineral Quiz

Photo Search Photo Galleries Search by Color New Photos Today New Photos Yesterday Members' Photo Galleries Past Photo of the Day Gallery Photography

Putzite

A valid IMA mineral species

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

Search Photos of Putzite

Edit Add Synonym Edit CIF structures Clear Cache

Putzite

Capillitas mining district, Andalgalá Department, Catamarca Province, Argentina

Putzite

Capillitas mining district, Andalgalá Department, Catamarca Province, Argentina

Putzite

Capillitas mining district, Andalgalá Department, Catamarca Province, Argentina

Hide all sections | Show all sections

About PutziteHide

Dr Hubert Putz in the 'Fensterstollen'

Formula:

(Cu_4.7Ag_3.3)GeS₆

Colour:

Iron-black with a weak violet tint

Lustre:

Metallic

Hardness:

3 - 3½

Specific Gravity:

5.788 (Calculated)

Crystal System:

Isometric

Member of:

Argyrodite Group

Name:

In honour of Dr Hubert Putz (1973- ), University of Salzburg, who discovered the new species during field work in Catamarca, and for his significant contributions to the mineralogy of germanium in the Capillitas deposit.

Type Locality:

ⓘ Capillitas mining district, Andalgalá Department, Catamarca Province, Argentina

This page provides mineralogical data about Putzite.

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

26707

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:26707:2

GUID
(UUID V4):

6c5cde17-3cc5-4a83-b616-1838dec1bf67

IMA Classification of PutziteHide

IMA status:

Approved

IMA Formula:

(Cu,Ag)₈GeS₆

Approval year:

2002

Classification of PutziteHide

Strunz-mindat (2024):

2.BA.70

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
A : With Cu, Ag, Au

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Symbol	Source	Reference
Pzi	IMA–CNMNC	Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of PutziteHide

Lustre:

Metallic

Transparency:

Opaque

Colour:

Iron-black with a weak violet tint

Streak:

Black

Hardness:

3 - 3½ on Mohs scale

Hardness:

VHN₁₀₀=183 - 201 (50 s test time) - Vickers

Tenacity:

Brittle

Cleavage:

Distinct/Good
Distinct in polished sections

Fracture:

Irregular/Uneven, Splintery, Sub-Conchoidal

Density:

5.788 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of PutziteHide

Reflectivity:

Wavelength	R
400nm	33.50%
420nm	31.60%
440nm	30.60%
460nm	29.40%
470nm	28.90%
480nm	28.60%
500nm	27.80%
520nm	27.20%
540nm	26.70%
546nm	26.50%
560nm	26.30%
580nm	26.00%
589nm	25.80%
600nm	25.70%
620nm	25.40%
640nm	25.30%
650nm	25.30%
660nm	25.20%
680nm	25.20%
700nm	25.20%

Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 33.50%.

Colour in reflected light:

Pale rose to pale violet

Internal Reflections:

None

Chemistry of PutziteHide

Mindat Formula:

(Cu_4.7Ag_3.3)GeS₆

Elements listed:

Ag, Cu, Ge, S - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of PutziteHide

Crystal System:

Isometric

Class (H-M):

4 3m - Hextetrahedral

Space Group:

F4 3m

Cell Parameters:

a = 10.201 Å, b = 10.201 Å, c = 10.201 Å

Ratio:

a:b:c = 1 : 1 : 1

Unit Cell V:

1,061.52 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Morphology:

Aggregates of anhedral grains, up to 3 X 1 mm.

Crystal StructureHide

Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4

View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c

Rotation
Stop | Start

Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow

Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure

ID	Species	Reference	Link	Year	Locality	Pressure (GPa)	Temp (K)
0005995	Putzite	Paar W H, Roberts A C, Berlepsch P, Armbruster T, Topa D, Zagler G (2004) Putzite, (Cu4.7Ag3.3)8GeS6, a new mineral species, from Capillitas, Catamarca, Argentina: Description and crystal structure The Canadian Mineralogist 42 1757-1769		2004	Capillitas, Catamarca, Argentina	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Putzite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Paar W H'
'Roberts A C'
'Berlepsch P'
'Armbruster T'
'Topa D'
'Zagler G'
_journal_name_full 'The Canadian Mineralogist'
_journal_volume 42 
_journal_year 2004
_journal_page_first 1757
_journal_page_last 1769
_publ_section_title
;
 Putzite, (Cu4.7Ag3.3)8GeS6, a new mineral species, from Capillitas, Catamarca,
 Argentina: Description and crystal structure
;
_database_code_amcsd 0005995
_chemical_compound_source 'Capillitas, Catamarca, Argentina'
_chemical_formula_sum 'Ge Cu4.68 Ag3.48 S6'
_cell_length_a 10.1250
_cell_length_b 10.1250
_cell_length_c 10.1250
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 90
_cell_angle_gamma 90
_cell_volume 1037.971
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      6.001
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'F -4 3 m'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  'x,1/2+y,1/2+z'
  '1/2+x,y,1/2+z'
  '1/2+x,1/2+y,z'
  '-z,x,-y'
  '-z,1/2+x,1/2-y'
  '1/2-z,x,1/2-y'
  '1/2-z,1/2+x,-y'
  '-y,z,-x'
  '-y,1/2+z,1/2-x'
  '1/2-y,z,1/2-x'
  '1/2-y,1/2+z,-x'
  '-x,y,-z'
  '-x,1/2+y,1/2-z'
  '1/2-x,y,1/2-z'
  '1/2-x,1/2+y,-z'
  'x,-z,-y'
  'x,1/2-z,1/2-y'
  '1/2+x,-z,1/2-y'
  '1/2+x,1/2-z,-y'
  'z,-y,-x'
  'z,1/2-y,1/2-x'
  '1/2+z,-y,1/2-x'
  '1/2+z,1/2-y,-x'
  'y,-x,-z'
  'y,1/2-x,1/2-z'
  '1/2+y,-x,1/2-z'
  '1/2+y,1/2-x,-z'
  'x,z,y'
  'x,1/2+z,1/2+y'
  '1/2+x,z,1/2+y'
  '1/2+x,1/2+z,y'
  'z,y,x'
  'z,1/2+y,1/2+x'
  '1/2+z,y,1/2+x'
  '1/2+z,1/2+y,x'
  'y,x,z'
  'y,1/2+x,1/2+z'
  '1/2+y,x,1/2+z'
  '1/2+y,1/2+x,z'
  '-z,-x,y'
  '-z,1/2-x,1/2+y'
  '1/2-z,-x,1/2+y'
  '1/2-z,1/2-x,y'
  '-y,-z,x'
  '-y,1/2-z,1/2+x'
  '1/2-y,-z,1/2+x'
  '1/2-y,1/2-z,x'
  '-x,-y,z'
  '-x,1/2-y,1/2+z'
  '1/2-x,-y,1/2+z'
  '1/2-x,1/2-y,z'
  'z,-x,-y'
  'z,1/2-x,1/2-y'
  '1/2+z,-x,1/2-y'
  '1/2+z,1/2-x,-y'
  'y,-z,-x'
  'y,1/2-z,1/2-x'
  '1/2+y,-z,1/2-x'
  '1/2+y,1/2-z,-x'
  'x,-y,-z'
  'x,1/2-y,1/2-z'
  '1/2+x,-y,1/2-z'
  '1/2+x,1/2-y,-z'
  '-x,z,-y'
  '-x,1/2+z,1/2-y'
  '1/2-x,z,1/2-y'
  '1/2-x,1/2+z,-y'
  '-z,y,-x'
  '-z,1/2+y,1/2-x'
  '1/2-z,y,1/2-x'
  '1/2-z,1/2+y,-x'
  '-y,x,-z'
  '-y,1/2+x,1/2-z'
  '1/2-y,x,1/2-z'
  '1/2-y,1/2+x,-z'
  '-x,-z,y'
  '-x,1/2-z,1/2+y'
  '1/2-x,-z,1/2+y'
  '1/2-x,1/2-z,y'
  '-z,-y,x'
  '-z,1/2-y,1/2+x'
  '1/2-z,-y,1/2+x'
  '1/2-z,1/2-y,x'
  '-y,-x,z'
  '-y,1/2-x,1/2+z'
  '1/2-y,-x,1/2+z'
  '1/2-y,1/2-x,z'
  'z,x,y'
  'z,1/2+x,1/2+y'
  '1/2+z,x,1/2+y'
  '1/2+z,1/2+x,y'
  'y,z,x'
  'y,1/2+z,1/2+x'
  '1/2+y,z,1/2+x'
  '1/2+y,1/2+z,x'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_occupancy
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
Ge1   0.00000   0.50000   0.00000   1.00000   0.01270
Cu1   0.25000   0.75000   0.98040   0.50000   0.05900
Ag1   0.32790   0.47130   0.17210   0.25000   0.07200
Cu2   0.35500   0.56400   0.14500   0.14000   0.11800
Ag2   0.35500   0.56400   0.14500   0.04000   0.11800
S1   0.12500   0.62500   0.12500   1.00000   0.02080
S2   0.25000   0.75000   0.75000   1.00000   0.05100
S3   0.52060   0.52060   0.02060   0.25000   0.02300
loop_
_atom_site_aniso_label
_atom_site_aniso_U_11
_atom_site_aniso_U_22
_atom_site_aniso_U_33
_atom_site_aniso_U_12
_atom_site_aniso_U_13
_atom_site_aniso_U_23
Ge1 0.01270 0.01270 0.01270 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000
Cu1 0.07200 0.07200 0.03400 -0.03900 0.00000 0.00000
Ag1 0.06400 0.08600 0.06400 -0.00500 -0.02100 0.00500
S1 0.02080 0.02080 0.02080 -0.00640 -0.00640 -0.00640
S2 0.05100 0.05100 0.05100 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000
S3 0.02300 0.02300 0.02300 -0.00600 -0.00600 -0.00600

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
5.896 Å	(30)
3.074 Å	(60)
2.943 Å	(100)
2.083 Å	(30)
1.962 Å	(50)
1.805 Å	(70)
1.725 Å	(25)

Comments:

The crystal structure of putzite was solved by direct methods to an R index of 5.97% for 259 observed reflections measured with MoKα X-radiation. Close metal–metal contacts indicate Cu,Ag disorder. The structure description is based on regular polyhedra such as GeS4, SCu6, SAg12 and SCu12, instead of the conventional discussion of various two-, three-, or four-fold coordinations around (disordered) Ag and Cu.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])

Type Occurrence of PutziteHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Capillitas mining district, Andalgalá Department, Catamarca Province, Argentina

General Appearance of Type Material:

Putzite occurs as aggregates of anhedral grains, up to 3 × 1 mm, embedded in a matrix of predominantly chalcocite with relics of bornite.

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

Division of Mineralogy, University of Salzburg, Austria (14835-14837).
Systematic References Series, National Mineral Collection of Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Canada (NMCC 68096).
Laboratory for Chemical and Mineralogical Crystallography, University of Bern, Switzerland.

Geological Setting of Type Material:

Capillitas diatreme located within the Farallón Negro volcanic complex.

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Wittichenite	Thalcusite	Tennantite Subgroup	Sphalerite	Quartz
Luzonite	Galena	Chalcopyrite	Chalcocite	Bornite

Synonyms of PutziteHide

IMA2002-024

Other Language Names for PutziteHide

Simplified Chinese:硫锗银铜矿

Traditional Chinese:硫鍺銀銅礦

Relationship of Putzite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:

Argyrodite Group

Other Members of this group:

Alburnite	Ag₈GeTe₂S₄	Iso.
Argyrodite	Ag₈GeS₆	Orth. mm2 : Pna2₁
Canfieldite	Ag₈SnS₆	Orth. mm2
Spryite	Ag₈(As³⁺_0.5As⁵⁺_0.5)S₆	Orth. mm2 : Pna2₁

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:

1 photo of Putzite associated with Omariniite	Cu₈Fe₂ZnGe₂S₁₂
1 photo of Putzite associated with Thalcusite	Tl₂Cu₃FeS₄

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

2.BA.	Orileyite	(Fe,Cu)₂As
2.BA.	Alburnite	Ag₈GeTe₂S₄	Iso.
2.BA.	Dzierżanowskite	CaCu₂S₂	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.BA.	Makotoite	Ag₁₂(Cu₃Au)S₈	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
2.BA.	Xuwenyuanite	Ag₉Fe³⁺Te₂S₄	Iso. 4 3m : F4 3m
2.BA.05	Chalcocite	Cu₂S	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
2.BA.05	Djurleite	Cu₃₁S₁₆	Mon. 2/m
2.BA.05	Geerite	Cu₈S₅	Trig. 3
2.BA.05	Roxbyite	Cu₉S₅	Tric. 1 : P1
2.BA.10	Anilite	Cu₇S₄	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
2.BA.10	Digenite	Cu₉S₅	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
2.BA.15	Bornite	Cu₅FeS₄	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
2.BA.20	Bellidoite	Cu₂Se	Tet. 4/m : P4₂/n
2.BA.20	Berzelianite	Cu_2-xSe (x ≈ 0.12)	Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m
2.BA.25	Athabascaite	Cu₅Se₄	Orth.
2.BA.25	Umangite	Cu₃Se₂	Tet. 4 2m : P4 2₁m
2.BA.30	Rickardite	Cu₇Te₅	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmmn
2.BA.30	Weissite	Cu_2-xTe	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mmm
2.BA.35	Acanthite	Ag₂S	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/m
2.BA.35	Spryite	Ag₈(As³⁺_0.5As⁵⁺_0.5)S₆	Orth. mm2 : Pna2₁
2.BA.40	Mckinstryite	Ag_5-xCu_3+xS₄	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
2.BA.40	Stromeyerite	AgCuS	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
2.BA.40d	UM2003-13-S:AgAuCu	Ag₆AuCu₂S₅
2.BA.42	Honeaite	Au₃TlTe₂	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcm
2.BA.45	Jalpaite	Ag₃CuS₂	Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4₁/amd
2.BA.45	Kurilite	Ag₈Te₃Se	Trig. 3 : R3
2.BA.45	Selenojalpaite	Ag₃CuSe₂	Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4₁/amd
2.BA.47	Spiridonovite	(Cu_1-xAg_x)₂Te	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3c1
2.BA.50	Eucairite	AgCuSe	Orth.
2.BA.50	Wuyanzhiite	Cu₂S	Tet. 4 2 2 : P4₃ 2₁ 2
2.BA.52	Argentite	Ag₂S	Iso.
2.BA.55	Aguilarite	Ag₄SeS	Mon. 2/m
2.BA.55	Naumannite	Ag₂Se	Orth. 2 2 2 : P2₁ 2₁ 2₁
2.BA.60	Cervelleite	Ag₄TeS	Mon. 2/m
2.BA.60	Hessite	Ag₂Te	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
2.BA.60	Chenguodaite	Ag₉Fe³⁺Te₂S₄	Orth.
2.BA.65	Henryite	(Cu,Ag)_3+xTe₂ , with x ~ 0.40	Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3c
2.BA.65	Stützite	Ag_5-xTe₃, x = 0.24-0.36	Hex. 6 : P6
2.BA.70	Argyrodite	Ag₈GeS₆	Orth. mm2 : Pna2₁
2.BA.70	Canfieldite	Ag₈SnS₆	Orth. mm2
2.BA.75	Fischesserite	Ag₃AuSe₂	Iso. 4 3 2 : I4₁ 3 2
2.BA.75	Penzhinite	(Ag,Cu)₄Au(S,Se)₄	Hex. 6 2 2 : P6₃ 2 2
2.BA.75	Petrovskaite	AuAgS	Mon.
2.BA.75	Petzite	Ag₃AuTe₂	Iso. 4 3 2 : I4₁ 3 2
2.BA.75	Uytenbogaardtite	Ag₃AuS₂	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
2.BA.80	Bezsmertnovite	(Au,Ag)₄Cu(Te,Pb)	Orth.
2.BA.80	Bilibinskite	PbCu₂Au₃Te₂	Iso.
2.BA.80	Bogdanovite	(Au,Te,Pb)₃(Cu,Fe)	Iso.

Other InformationHide

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 PutziteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-26707.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Search Engines:

Look for Putzite on Google

Look for Putzite images on Google

Look for Putzite on Bing

Look for Putzite images on Bing

Look for Putzite on DuckDuckGo

Look for Putzite images on DuckDuckGo

Look for Putzite in the Rock H. Currier Digital Library

External Links:

Look for Putzite on Webmineral

Look for Putzite on Wikipedia

Look for Putzite on Mineralien Atlas

Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

Mineral Dealers:

Buy from David K Joyce minerals

Buy rare minerals from Excalibur Minerals

Fine Minerals from Weinrich Minerals, Inc.

Wilensky Exquisite Minerals

The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals

Buy from McDougall Minerals

High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service

Blue Gems Australian & International

References for PutziteHide

Reference List:

Paar, Werner H., Roberts, Andrew C., Berlepsch, Peter, Armbruster, Thomas, Topa, Dan, Zagler, Georg (2004) Putzite, (Cu_4.7Ag_3.3) _∑8GeS₆, a new mineral species from Capillitas, Catamarca, Argentina: description and crystal structure. The Canadian Mineralogist, 42 (6) 1757-1769 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.42.6.1757

(2023) Putzite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for PutziteHide

This 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.

Locality ListHide

- 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.


Argentina (TL)
Catamarca Province Andalgalá Department ⓘ Capillitas mining district (TL)	DE BRODTKORB +2 other references
ⓘ La Rosario vein	PUTZ +2 other references

Putzite

About PutziteHide

Unique IdentifiersHide

IMA Classification of PutziteHide

Classification of PutziteHide

Mineral SymbolsHide

Physical Properties of PutziteHide

Optical Data of PutziteHide

Chemistry of PutziteHide

Crystallography of PutziteHide

Crystal StructureHide

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Type Occurrence of PutziteHide

Synonyms of PutziteHide

Other Language Names for PutziteHide

Relationship of Putzite to other SpeciesHide

Common AssociatesHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

Other InformationHide

Internet Links for PutziteHide

References for PutziteHide

Localities for PutziteHide

Locality ListHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide