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Argentopyrite

Big Photo

Pöhla, Schwarzenberg District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany
© Peter Haas

Show Argentopyrite Photos (20)
Formula:
AgFe
 
2
S
 
3
System:OrthorhombicColour:Bronze-brown, tarnishing ...
Lustre:MetallicHardness:3½ - 4
Name:Named for its relationship to pyrite and silver content.
Dimorph of:Sternbergite
This page provides mineralogical data about Argentopyrite.

Classification of Argentopyrite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/C.14-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.CB.65

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 7th edition ID:2.9.13.2
Dana 8th edition ID:2.9.13.2

2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:3.2.17

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
2 : Sulphides etc. of Ag
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Type Occurrence of Argentopyrite

Type Locality:Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal), Ostrov, Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge), Karlovy Vary Region, Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen), Czech Republic
Place of Conservation of Type Material:ROM
Smithsonian
Year of Discovery:1868

Occurrences of Argentopyrite

Geological Setting:Hydrothermal veins

Physical Properties of Argentopyrite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Bronze-brown, tarnishing to lead-grey.
Streak:Grey.
Hardness (Mohs):3½ - 4
Hardness (Vickers):VHN100=225 - 242 kg/mm2
Tenacity:Brittle
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):4.25 g/cm3
Density (calculated):4.27 g/cm3

Crystallography of Argentopyrite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:Pmmn {P21/m 21/m 2/n}
Space Group Setting:Pmmn
Cell Parameters:a = 6.639(4) Å, b = 11.463(6) Å, c = 6.452(3) Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.579 : 1 : 0.563
Unit Cell Volume:V 491.02 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Thick tabular pseudohexagonal prisms
Twinning:Pseudohexagonal twins, lamellar twins

Optical Data of Argentopyrite

Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:Strong - deep blue to pale blue-gray
Colour in reflected light:Grayish to yellowish white

Chemical Properties of Argentopyrite

Formula:
AgFe
 
2
S
 
3
Essential elements:Ag, Fe, S
All elements listed in formula:Ag, Fe, S
Common Impurities:Cu,As

Relationship of Argentopyrite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
2.CB.05aColoradoite
HgTe
2.CB.05aHawleyite
CdS
2.CB.05aMetacinnabar
HgS
2.CB.05cPolhemusite
(Zn,Hg)S
2.CB.05bSakuraiite
(Cu,Zn,Fe)
 
3
(In,Sn)S
 
4
2.CB.05aSphalerite
(Zn,Fe
2+
 
)S
2.CB.05aStilleite
ZnSe
2.CB.05aTiemannite
HgSe
2.CB.05UM1998-15-S:CuFeZn
Cu
 
2
Fe
 
3
Zn
 
5
S
 
10
2.CB.05aRudashevskyite
(Fe,Zn)S
2.CB.10aChalcopyrite
CuFeS
 
2
2.CB.10aEskebornite
CuFeSe
 
2
2.CB.10aGallite
CuGaS
 
2
2.CB.10bHaycockite
Cu
 
4
Fe
 
5
S
 
8
2.CB.10aLenaite
AgFeS
 
2
2.CB.10bMooihoekite
Cu
 
9
Fe
 
9
S
 
16
2.CB.10bPutoranite
Cu
 
9
(Fe,Ni)
 
9
S
 
16
2.CB.10aRoquesite
CuInS
 
2
2.CB.10bTalnakhite
Cu
 
9
(Fe,Ni)
 
8
S
 
16
2.CB.10aLaforêtite
AgInS
 
2
2.CB.15aČernýite
Cu
 
2
(Cd,Zn,Fe)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15aFerrokësterite
Cu
 
2
(Fe,Zn)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15aHocartite
Ag
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15aIdaite
Cu
 
5
FeS
 
6
2.CB.15aKësterite
Cu
 
2
(Zn,Fe)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15aKuramite
Cu
 
3
SnS
 
4
2.CB.15bMohite
Cu
 
2
SnS
 
3
2.CB.15aPirquitasite
Ag
 
2
ZnSnS
 
4
2.CB.15aStannite
Cu
 
2
(Fe,Zn)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15cStannoidite
Cu
+
6
Cu
2+
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)
 
3
Sn
 
2
S
 
12
2.CB.15aVelikite
(Cu,Hg)
 
11
Sn
 
4
S
 
16
2.CB.15cUM2006-11-S:CuFeGeZn
Cu
 
8
(Fe,Zn)
 
3
Ge
 
2
S
 
12
 (?)
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.35aHemusite
Cu
 
6
SnMoS
 
8
2.CB.35aKiddcreekite
Cu
 
6
SnWS
 
8
2.CB.35aPolkovicite
(Fe,Pb)
 
3
(Ge,Fe)
 
1-x
S
 
4
2.CB.35aRenierite
(Cu,Zn)
 
11
(Ge,As)
 
2
Fe
 
4
S
 
16
2.CB.35aVinciennite
Cu
+
7
Cu
2+
3
Fe
2+
2
Fe
3+
2
Sn(As,Sb)S
 
16
2.CB.35aMorozeviczite
(Pb,Fe)
 
3
Ge
 
1-x
S
 
4
2.CB.35bCatamarcaite
Cu
 
6
GeWS
 
8
2.CB.40Lautite
CuAsS
2.CB.45Cadmoselite
CdSe
2.CB.45Greenockite
CdS
2.CB.45Wurtzite
(Zn,Fe)S
2.CB.45Rambergite
MnS
2.CB.55aCubanite
CuFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.55bIsocubanite
CuFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.60Picotpaulite
TlFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.60Raguinite
TlFeS
 
2
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
AuAgTe
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
3.2.1Acanthite
Ag
 
2
S
3.2.3Naumannite
Ag
 
2
Se
3.2.4Aguilarite
Ag
 
4
SeS
3.2.5Hessite
Ag
 
2
Te
3.2.6Empressite
AgTe
3.2.7Stützite
Ag
 
5-x
Te
 
3
, x = 0.24-0.36
3.2.8Cervelleite
Ag
 
4
TeS
3.2.9Dervillite
Ag
 
2
AsS
 
2
3.2.10Stromeyerite
AgCuS
3.2.11Mckinstryite
(Ag,Cu)
 
2
S
3.2.12Jalpaite
Ag
 
3
CuS
 
2
3.2.13Eucairite
AgCuSe
3.2.14Cameronite
AgCu
 
7
Te
 
10
3.2.15Henryite
Ag
 
3
Cu
 
4
Te
 
4
3.2.16Sternbergite
AgFe
 
2
S
 
3
3.2.18Geffroyite
(Cu,Fe,Ag)
 
9
(Se,S)
 
8
3.2.19Argentopentlandite
Ag(Fe,Ni)
 
8
S
 
8

Other Names for Argentopyrite

Other Languages:
German:Argentopyrit
Japanese:アージェントパイライト
Russian:Аргентопирит
Spanish:Argentopyrita

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.
Industrial Uses:Minor silver ore

References for Argentopyrite

Reference List:Waltershausen (1866) Ges. Wiss. Göttingen, Nachr.: 9: 66.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 834pp.: 248.

American Mineralogist (1969): 54: 1198-1206.

Internet Links for Argentopyrite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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  • Search for Argentopyrite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Argentopyrite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Argentopyrite

    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.
    (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.
    Australia
     
    • New South Wales
      • Yancowinna Co.
    		Handbook of Mineralogy
    • Queensland
      • Mt Isa - Cloncurry area
        • Mount Isa district
    		Canadian Mineralogist (1984) 22, 493-498
    No reference listed
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Friesach - Hüttenberg area
        • Hüttenberg
    		G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
    Bolivia
     
    • Potosí Department
      • Chayanta Province
    		[MinRec 32:469]
    Canada
     
    • British Columbia
      • Slocan Mining Division
        • Sandon
    		[MinRec 1996]
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Ostrov
    		Am Min 39 (1954), 475; Lapis 3 (1988), 7
      • Ústí Region
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Klášterec nad Ohří
    		No reference listed
    France
     
    • Alsace
      • Bas-Rhin
        • Villé Valley
    		Wittern, Journée (1997): \"Mineralien finden in den Vogesen\", von Loga (Cologne), pp. 36-37.
      • Haut-Rhin
        • Ste Marie-aux-Mines (Markirch)
    		Wittern, Journée: "Mineralien finden in den Vogesen", von Loga (Cologne), 1997
    • Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
      • Hautes-Alpes
    		Le Cahier des Micromonteurs,(2), 3-13
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Wieden
    		Aufschluss 71(6), 195-200
    • Hesse
      • Odenwald
        • Nieder-Ramstadt
          • Nieder-Beerbach
    • Lower Saxony
      • Harz Mts
        • St Andreasberg District
          • St Andreasberg
    		No reference listed
    No reference listed
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
        • Annaberg-Buchholz
          • Kleinrückerswalde
    		P Haas collection
        • Ehrenfriedersdorf
        • Freiberg District
          • Freiberg
    		Naumann, Zirkel: "Elemente der Mineralogie", 10th Ed., Leipzig (1898)
        • Johanngeorgenstadt District
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
        • Marienberg District
          • Lauta
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
        • Schlema-Hartenstein District
          • Alberoda
    		RWMW specimen
    P Haas collection
        • Schneeberg District
          • Neustädtel
    		Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005)
    Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005)
    Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005)
        • Schwarzenberg District
          • Pöhla
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    Greece
     
    • Aegean Islands (Aiyaíon) Department
      • Kykládes Prefecture
        • Cyclade Islands (Cyclades; Kikladhes; Nomos Kikladhon)
          • Tinos Island
    		Tombros, S.F. (2008): Later stages of evolution of an epithermal system: Au-Ag mineralization at Apigania Bay, Tinos, Island, Cyclades, Hellas, Greece. Min.Pet. (in press)
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
        • Lavrion District Mines
          • Agios Konstantinos [St Constantine] (Kamariza)
    		No reference listed
    Italy
     
    • Sardinia
      • Cagliari Province
        • Sinnai
    		Stara, P., Rizzo, R., Brizzi G., (1993): Sarrabus Miniere e Minerali. Edito a cura dell'EMSA e "varie associazioni mineralogiche", 208 pp.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Kinki Region
        • Hyogo Prefecture
          • Shisawa-gun
    		The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) Matsubara
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Qostaney Oblysy (Kostanai [Kustany] Oblast')
    		[World of Stones 12:13]
    Morocco
     
    • Souss-Massa-Draâ Region
      • Ouarzazate Province
        • Tazenakht
          • Bou Azzer District
            • Tamdrost
    		Favreau, G. and Dietrich, J. E. (2006). Die Mineralien von Bou Azzer. Lapis 31(7/8), 27-68
    Norway
     
    • Buskerud
      • Flesberg
        • Svene
    		Kjell Gatedal
      • Kongsberg
        • Kongsberg Silver Mining District
          • Overberget Mine-field
    		Kjell Gatedal collection and photo
    Romania
     
    • Maramures Co.
      • Baia Mare (Nagybánya)
    		Papp, Gábor, Alan J. Criddle, Chris J. Stanley, László Kriston and Géza Nagy (2007): Parajamesonite revisited: background of the discreditation of an enigmatic mineral species. Swiss Journal of Geosciences, 100, 495-502.
    Switzerland
     
    • Wallis (Valais)
      • Brig
        • Bitsch
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): \\\"Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz\\\", Wepf (Basel), p. 419.
        • Naters
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 371.
      • Lötschen valley
        • Goppenstein
    		Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz, Wepf Verlag, 1998, ISBN 3-85977-200-7
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cumbria
        • North and Western Region (Cumberland)
          • North Pennines
            • Alston Moor District
              • South Tynedale
                • Garrigill
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
    USA
     
    • Alaska
      • Yukon-Koyukuk Borough
        • Iditarod District
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2008, Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1225.
    • Idaho
      • Custer Co.
    		R&M 70:4 pp 242-263
    Mineral and/or Locality
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