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Argentopyrite

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Big Photo

St Andreasberg District, Harz, Lower Saxony, Germany
© Paul De Bondt

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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), Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal) District, 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
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
5.746 (5)
3.603 (4)
3.320 (10)
3.316 (9)
3.104 (5)
1.927 (5)
1.807 (7)
Comments:Měděnec, Czech Republic

Optical Data of Argentopyrite

Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:Strong - deep blue to pale blue-grey
Reflectivity:
400nmR1=20.5%R2= 29.4%
420nmR1=21.6%R2= 30.2%
440nmR1=22.7%R2= 30.8%
460nmR1=23.8%R2= 31.6%
480nmR1=24.6%R2= 32.2%
500nmR1=25.3%R2= 32.8%
520nmR1=25.8%R2= 33.5%
540nmR1=26.3%R2= 34.1%
560nmR1=26.8%R2= 34.8%
580nmR1=27.4%R2= 35.6%
600nmR1=28.1%R2= 36.3%
620nmR1=28.7%R2= 36.9%
640nmR1=29.4%R2= 37.5%
660nmR1=30.0%R2= 38.0%
680nmR1=30.4%R2= 38.4%
700nmR1=30.9%R2= 38.7%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 38.7%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:Greyish 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
Analytical Data:Měděnec, Czech Republic
Ag (34.55)
Fe (35.03)
Cu (0.17)
As (0.05)
S (30.15)
Total (99.95)
Empirical Formula:
Ag
 
1.02
Cu
 
0.01
Fe
 
2.00
S
 
3.00
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
ZnS
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.15aFerrokesterite
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.15aKesterite
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.45Buseckite
(Fe,Zn,Mn)S
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
 
5-x
Cu
 
3+x
S
 
4
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
Simplified Chinese:阿硫铁银矿
银黄铁矿
Spanish:Argentopyrita
Traditional Chinese:阿硫鐵銀礦
銀黃鐵礦

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.

Murdoch, J. and Berry, L.G. (1954): X-ray measurements on argentopyrite. American Mineralogist, 39, 475–485.

Czamanske, G.K. and Larsen, R.R. (1969): The chemical identity and formula of argentopyrite and sternbergite. American Mineralogist, 54, 1198-1206.

Šrein, V., Řídkošil, T., Kašpar, P. and Šourek, J. (1986): Argentopyrite and sternbergite from polymetallic veins of the skarn deposit Měděnec, Krušné hory Mts., Czechoslovakia. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Abhandlungen, 154, 207–222.

Internet Links for Argentopyrite

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    • Localities for Argentopyrite

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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
      • Mount 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
    • Salzburg
      • Hohe Tauern
        • Rauris valley
          • Seidlwinkl valley
            • Hochtor area
    		Bergbau in Westkärnten
    Bolivia
     
    • Potosí Department
      • Chayanta Province
    		[MinRec 32:469]
    Canada
     
    • British Columbia
      • Slocan Mining Division
        • Sandon
    		Mauthner, M.H.F. et al. (1996) Minerals of the Silvana Mine Sandon British Columbia. Mineralogical Record, 27(6):433-438.
    • Ontario
      • Sudbury District
        • Garson
    		Ames, D.E., Kjarsgaard, I.M., and Douma, S.L., 2003, Sudbury Ni-Cu-PGE Ore Mineralogy Compilation: Sudbury Targeted Geoscience Initiative (TGI): Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 1787
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal) District
    		Am Min 39 (1954), 475; Lapis 3 (1988), 7
      • Ústí Region
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Klášterec nad Ohří
            • Medenec
    		- Hyrsl, J. & Korbel, P. (2009): Tschechien & Slowakei, Mineralien und Fundstellen. Page 60-75.
    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
        • Orpierre
    		Le Cahier des Micromonteurs,(2), 3-13
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Wieden
    		Aufschluss 71(6), 195-200
    • Hesse
      • Odenwald
        • Mühltal
          • Nieder-Beerbach
    • Lower Saxony
      • Harz
        • St Andreasberg District
          • St Andreasberg
    		No reference listed
    No reference listed
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
        • Annaberg District
          • 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
          • Wolkenstein
    		Lapis, Jg 33 (2008), No.9, pag 26-27.
        • Schlema-Hartenstein District
          • Alberoda
    		Vollstädt,H. & Weiß,St. (1991): Mineralfundstellen Sächsisches Erzgebirge, München, S.26ff.
            • Shaft 366
    		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
          • Shisou City
    		The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) Matsubara
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Kostanay Province (Qostanay Oblysy; Kostanai Oblast')
    		[World of Stones 12:13]; Evseev, A. A. (1995) Kazaknstan and Middle Asia. A brief Mineralogical Guide. World of Stone 8:24-30
    Morocco
     
    • Souss-Massa-Draâ Region
      • Ouarzazate Province
        • Tazenakht
          • Bou Azer District (Bou Azzer District)
            • Tamdrost
    		Favreau, G. and Dietrich, J. E. (2006). Die Mineralien von Bou Azzer. Lapis 31(7/8), 27-68
    Norway
     
    • Buskerud
      • Kongsberg
        • Kongsberg Silver Mining District
          • Overberget Mining Field
    		Kjell Gatedal collection and photo
    Papua New Guinea
     
    Noku, S.K., Akasaka, M. & Matsueda, H. (2011): The Crater Mountain Deposit, Papua New Guinea: Porphyry-related Au-Te System. Resource Geology, 61, 63-75.
    Romania
     
    • Maramureș Co.
      • Baia Mare (Nagybánya)
        • Chiuzbaia (Kisbánya)
    		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.
    Slovenia
     
    • Litija (Littai)
    		Scopolia - Journal of the Slovenian Museum of natural History - Mineralna bogastva Slovenije, p. 52 - 65, Ljubljana, 2006
    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; Ixer, R.A. and Stanley, C.J. (1987): Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society 46, 133-139.
    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.
    • Colorado
      • Ouray Co.
        • Ouray District (Uncompahgre District)
    		Emmons and Becker (1885) Statistics and Technology of the precious Metals. Census reports Tenth census. June 1, 1880, Volume 13 By United States. Census office. 10th census, 1880, United States. Census Office
    • Idaho
      • Custer Co.
    		R&M 70:4 pp 242-263
    Mineral and/or Locality
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. 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. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
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