Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (10 online) Mindat Auctions

Putzite

Formula:
(Cu
 
4.7
Ag
 
3.3
)GeS
 
6
System:IsometricColour:Iron-black with a weak ...
Hardness:3 - 3½
Name:In honor of Hubert Putz (1973- ), University of Salzburg, who discovereed 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
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-26707.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Putzite

Type Locality:Capillitas Mine, Andalgalá, 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)
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:
All elements listed in formula:Ag, Cu, Ge, S
Analyical 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

Related to:
  • Argyrodite Group
    • 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.35Argentite
    2.BA.40Mckinstryite
    (Ag,Cu)
     
    2
    		S
    2.BA.40Stromeyerite
    AgCuS
    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.65Henryite
    Ag
     
    3
    		Cu
     
    4
    		Te
     
    4
    2.BA.65Stützite
    Ag
     
    7
    		Te
     
    4
    2.BA.70Argyrodite
    Ag
     
    8
    		GeS
     
    6
    2.BA.70Canfieldite
    Ag
     
    8
    		(Sn,Ge)(S,Te)
     
    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 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., Roberts, A.C., Topa, D., Zagler, G., Berlepsch, P., Armbruster, Th. (2004): Putzite, (Cu4.7 Ag3.3)GeS6, a new mineral species from Capillitas, Catamarca, Argentina: description and crystal structure. Canadian Mineralogist: 42: 1757-1769.

    Internet Links for Putzite

    Search Engines:
  • Look for Putzite on Google
  • Look for Putzite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Putzite on Webmineral
  • Look for Putzite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Putzite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Putzite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Putzite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Search for Putzite at Thames Valley Minerals
  • Find Putzite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Search for Putzite on minvision.com
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Wright's Rock Shop - excellent mineral specimens since 1970
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
    • 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 Putzite

    Hide Locality List
    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
     
    • Catamarca
      • Andalgalá
    		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.
    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.