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Putzite

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Formula:
(Cu
 
4.7
Ag
 
3.3
)GeS
 
6
System:IsometricColour:Iron-black with a weak ...
Hardness:3 - 3½
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.


Argyrodite Group.

Classification of Putzite

IMA status:Approved 2002
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/B.08-05
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID: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
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Type Occurrence of Putzite

Type Locality:Capillitas Mine, Andalgalá Department, Catamarca, 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.
Year of Discovery:2002
Geological Setting of type material:Capillitas diatreme located within the Farallón Negro volcanic complex.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
WitticheniteThalcusiteTennantiteSphaleriteQuartz
LuzoniteGalenaChalcopyriteChalcociteBornite

Physical Properties of Putzite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Iron-black with a weak violet tint
Streak:Black
Hardness (Mohs):3 - 3½
Hardness (Vickers):VHN100=183 - 201 (50 s test time)
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
Distinct in polished sections
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Splintery, Sub-Conchoidal
Density (calculated):5.788 g/cm3

Crystallography of Putzite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:F4 3m
Cell Parameters:a = 10.201Å, b = 10.201Å, c = 10.201Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 1 : 1 : 1
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,061.52 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Aggregates of anhedral grains, up to 3 X 1 mm.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
5.896 (30)
3.074 (60)
2.943 (100)
2.083 (30)
1.962 (50)
1.805 (70)
1.725 (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.

Optical Data of Putzite

Type:Isotropic
Colour in reflected light:Pale rose to pale violet
Internal Reflections:None

Chemical Properties of Putzite

Formula:
(Cu
 
4.7
Ag
 
3.3
)GeS
 
6
Essential elements:Ag, Cu, Ge, S
All elements listed in formula:Ag, Cu, Ge, S
Analytical Data:The chemical composition, which was determined with an electron microprobe, shows weak variation from grain to grain. The average composition of one sample (four grains, 29 analyses) is given here.
Cu 33.04
Ag 39.33
Ge 7.79
S 20.55

total 100.71 wt.%
Empirical Formula:
(Cu
 
4.7
Ag
 
3.3
)
 
Σ8
GeS
 
6

Relationship of Putzite to other Species

Member of:Argyrodite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Alburnite
Ag
 
8
GeTe
 
2
S
 
4
Argyrodite
Ag
 
8
GeS
 
6
Canfieldite
Ag
 
8
SnS
 
6
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
2.BA.05Chalcocite
Cu
 
2
S
2.BA.05Djurleite
Cu
 
31
S
 
16
2.BA.05Geerite
Cu
 
8
S
 
5
2.BA.05Roxbyite
Cu
 
9
S
 
5
2.BA.10Anilite
Cu
 
7
S
 
4
2.BA.10Digenite
Cu
 
9
S
 
5
2.BA.15Bornite
Cu
 
5
FeS
 
4
2.BA.20Bellidoite
Cu
 
2
Se
2.BA.20Berzelianite
Cu
 
2
Se
2.BA.25Athabascaite
Cu
 
5
Se
 
4
2.BA.25Umangite
Cu
 
3
Se
 
2
2.BA.30Rickardite
Cu
 
7
Te
 
5
2.BA.30Weissite
Cu
 
2-x
Te
2.BA.35Acanthite
Ag
 
2
S
2.BA.40Mckinstryite
Ag
 
5-x
Cu
 
3+x
S
 
4
2.BA.40Stromeyerite
AgCuS
2.BA.40dUM2003-13-S:AgAuCu
Ag
 
6
AuCu
 
2
S
 
5
2.BA.45Jalpaite
Ag
 
3
CuS
 
2
2.BA.45Selenojalpaite
Ag
 
3
CuSe
 
2
2.BA.50Eucairite
AgCuSe
2.BA.55Aguilarite
Ag
 
4
SeS
2.BA.55Naumannite
Ag
 
2
Se
2.BA.60Cervelleite
Ag
 
4
TeS
2.BA.60Hessite
Ag
 
2
Te
2.BA.60Chenguodaite
Ag
 
9
Fe
3+
 
Te
 
2
S
 
4
2.BA.65Henryite
Ag
 
3
Cu
 
4
Te
 
4
2.BA.65Stützite
Ag
 
5-x
Te
 
3
, x = 0.24-0.36
2.BA.70Argyrodite
Ag
 
8
GeS
 
6
2.BA.70Canfieldite
Ag
 
8
SnS
 
6
2.BA.75Fischesserite
Ag
 
3
AuSe
 
2
2.BA.75Penzhinite
(Ag,Cu)
 
4
Au(S,Se)
 
4
2.BA.75Petrovskaite
AuAg(S,Se)
2.BA.75Petzite
Ag
 
3
AuTe
 
2
2.BA.75Uytenbogaardtite
Ag
 
3
AuS
 
2
2.BA.80Bezsmertnovite
(Au,Ag)
 
4
Cu(Te,Pb)
2.BA.80Bilibinskite
PbCuAu
 
3
Te
 
2
2.BA.80Bogdanovite
(Au,Te,Pb)
 
3
(Cu,Fe)

Other Names for Putzite

Synonyms:
IMA2002-024
Other Languages:

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 Putzite

Reference List:

- +
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. Canadian Mineralogist 42, 1757-1769.

Internet Links for Putzite

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    • Localities for Putzite

    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.
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    (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
    		Paar, W., Roberts, A.C., Topa, D., Zagler, G., Berlepsch, P., Armbruster, Th. (2004): Putzite, (Cu4.7 Ag3.3)8 GeS6, a new mineral species from Capillitas, Catamarca, Argentina: description and crystal structure. Canadian Mineralogist: 42: 1757-1769.; 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.
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