Argentopyrite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Argentopyrite
Formula:
AgFe2S3
Colour:
Bronze-brown, tarnishing to lead-grey to blue-gray.
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.25
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named for its relationship to pyrite and silver content.
Dimorph of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
299
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:299:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
2cdde96c-47be-488e-abbc-bafa6024fa24
IMA Classification of Argentopyrite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Argentopyrite
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.
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 ed.:
2.9.13.2
2.9.13.2
2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
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
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
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Agpy | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. | |
Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download | |
Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 | |
Arp | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Argentopyrite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Bronze-brown, tarnishing to lead-grey to blue-gray.
Streak:
Grey.
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=225 - 242 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.25 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.27 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Argentopyrite
Anisotropism:
Strong - deep blue to pale blue-grey
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
---|---|---|
400nm | 20.5% | 29.4% |
420nm | 21.6% | 30.2% |
440nm | 22.7% | 30.8% |
460nm | 23.8% | 31.6% |
480nm | 24.6% | 32.2% |
500nm | 25.3% | 32.8% |
520nm | 25.8% | 33.5% |
540nm | 26.3% | 34.1% |
560nm | 26.8% | 34.8% |
580nm | 27.4% | 35.6% |
600nm | 28.1% | 36.3% |
620nm | 28.7% | 36.9% |
640nm | 29.4% | 37.5% |
660nm | 30.0% | 38.0% |
680nm | 30.4% | 38.4% |
700nm | 30.9% | 38.7% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 38.7%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Greyish to yellowish white
Chemistry of Argentopyrite
Mindat Formula:
AgFe2S3
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Cu,As
Crystallography of Argentopyrite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.6902(2) Å, b = 11.4497(4) Å, c = 6.4525(2) Å
β = 90.2420(8)°
β = 90.2420(8)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.584 : 1 : 0.564
Unit Cell V:
494.26 ų
Z:
4
Twinning:
Pseudohexagonal twins, lamellar twins
Comment:
Space group P1121/n (non-standard setting). Pseudo-orthorhombic. Originally assumed to have space group Pmmn, 6.639, 11.463, 6.452 A.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0004994 | Argentopyrite | Yang H, Pinch W W, Downs R T (2009) Crystal structure of argentopyrite, AgFe2S3, and its relationship with cubanite American Mineralogist 94 1727-1730 | 2009 | Joachimstal, Bohemia, Czech Republic, type sample | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
5.81 Å | (30) |
5.68 Å | (5) |
4.67 Å | (20) |
4.30 Å | (20) |
3.62 Å | (50) |
3.34 Å | (100) |
3.32 Å | (100) |
3.23 Å | (10) |
3.11 Å | (40) |
2.96 Å | (10) |
2.90 Å | (30) |
2.88 Å | (30) |
2.82 Å | (5) |
2.63 Å | (10) |
2.59 Å | (20) |
2.52 Å | (5) |
2.43 Å | (30) |
2.32 Å | (10) |
2.28 Å | (10) |
2.18 Å | (10) |
2.12 Å | (10) |
2.04 Å | (5) |
2.02 Å | (5) |
1.99 Å | (10) |
1.93 Å | (50) |
1.91 Å | (40) |
1.87 Å | (5) |
1.81 Å | (70) |
1.75 Å | (10) |
1.67 Å | (10) |
1.66 Å | (10) |
1.61 Å | (10) |
1.597 Å | (10) |
1.544 Å | (10) |
1.458 Å | (10) |
1.450 Å | (5) |
1.436 Å | (5) |
Comments:
ICDD 7-347 Freiberg, Saxony, Germany
Geological Environment
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]) |
Geological Setting:
Hydrothermal veins
Type Occurrence of Argentopyrite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (type).
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA (type).
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA (type).
Other Language Names for Argentopyrite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
55 photos of Argentopyrite associated with Proustite | Ag3AsS3 |
31 photos of Argentopyrite associated with Pyrargyrite | Ag3SbS3 |
26 photos of Argentopyrite associated with Arsenic | As |
22 photos of Argentopyrite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
12 photos of Argentopyrite associated with Silver | Ag |
10 photos of Argentopyrite associated with Stephanite | Ag5SbS4 |
10 photos of Argentopyrite associated with Acanthite | Ag2S |
7 photos of Argentopyrite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
7 photos of Argentopyrite associated with Dyscrasite | Ag3Sb |
7 photos of Argentopyrite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
2.CB. | Agmantinite | Ag2MnSnS4 |
2.CB. | Richardsite | Zn2CuGaS4 |
2.CB. | Gachingite | Au(Te1-xSex) |
2.CB. | Tolstykhite | Au3S4Te6 |
2.CB. | Hanswilkeite | KFeS2 |
2.CB. | Auroselenide | AuSe |
2.CB. | Ruizhongite | (Ag2◻)Pb3Ge2S8 |
2.CB. | Okruginite | Cu2SnSe3 |
2.CB.05a | Coloradoite | HgTe |
2.CB.05a | Hawleyite | CdS |
2.CB.05a | Metacinnabar | HgS |
2.CB.05c | Polhemusite | (Zn,Hg)S |
2.CB.05b | Sakuraiite | (Cu,Zn,Fe)3(In,Sn)S4 |
2.CB.05a | Sphalerite | ZnS |
2.CB.05a | Stilleite | ZnSe |
2.CB.05a | Tiemannite | HgSe |
2.CB.05 | UM1998-15-S:CuFeZn | Cu2Fe3Zn5S10 |
2.CB.05a | Rudashevskyite | (Fe,Zn)S |
2.CB.05a | Ishiharaite | (Cu,Ga,Fe,In,Zn)S |
2.CB.07a | Shenzhuangite | NiFeS2 |
2.CB.07a | Unnamed (Cu-Mn-Sn Sulpide) | Cu2MnSnS4 |
2.CB.10a | Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
2.CB.10a | Eskebornite | CuFeSe2 |
2.CB.10a | Gallite | CuGaS2 |
2.CB.10b | Haycockite | Cu4Fe5S8 |
2.CB.10a | Lenaite | AgFeS2 |
2.CB.10b | Mooihoekite | Cu9Fe9S16 |
2.CB.10b | Putoranite | Cu1.1Fe1.2S2 |
2.CB.10a | Roquesite | CuInS2 |
2.CB.10b | Talnakhite | Cu9(Fe,Ni)8S16 |
2.CB.10a | Laforêtite | AgInS2 |
2.CB.10a | Unnamed (Cu-Zn-In Sulphide) | CuZn2InS4 |
2.CB.10a | UM1984-30-S:CuFeSn | Cu2Fe2Sn3S7 |
2.CB.10c | Omariniite | Cu8Fe2ZnGe2S12 |
2.CB.15a | Černýite | Cu2(Cd,Zn,Fe)SnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Ferrokësterite | Cu2FeSnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Hocartite | Ag2(Fe2+,Zn)SnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Idaite | Cu5FeS6 |
2.CB.15a | Kësterite | Cu2ZnSnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Kuramite | Cu3SnS4 |
2.CB.15b | Mohite | Cu2SnS3 |
2.CB.15a | Pirquitasite | Ag2ZnSnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Stannite | Cu2FeSnS4 |
2.CB.15c | Stannoidite | Cu+6Cu2+2(Fe2+,Zn)3Sn2S12 |
2.CB.15a | Velikite | Cu2HgSnS4 |
2.CB.15c | UM2006-11-S:CuFeGeZn | Cu8(Fe,Zn)3Ge2S12 (?) |
2.CB.17a v | Arsenic-bearing Renierite | Cu11GeAsFe4S16 |
2.CB.20 | Chatkalite | Cu6FeSn2S8 |
2.CB.20 | Mawsonite | Cu6Fe2SnS8 |
2.CB.30 | Argyropyrite | near Ag2Fe7S11 |
2.CB.30 | Colusite | Cu13VAs3S16 |
2.CB.30 | Germanite | Cu13Fe2Ge2S16 |
2.CB.30 | Germanocolusite | Cu26V2(Ge,As)6S32 |
2.CB.30 | Nekrasovite | Cu26V2(Sn,As,Sb)6S32 |
2.CB.30 | Stibiocolusite | Cu13V(Sb,Sn,As)3S16 |
2.CB.30 | Ovamboite | Cu20(Fe,Cu,Zn)6W2Ge6S32 |
2.CB.30 | Maikainite | Cu20(Fe,Cu)6Mo2Ge6S32 |
2.CB.30 | Frieseite | Ag2Fe5S8 (?) |
2.CB.35a | Hemusite | Cu6SnMoS8 |
2.CB.35a | Kiddcreekite | Cu6SnWS8 |
2.CB.35a | Polkovicite | (Fe,Pb)3(Ge,Fe)1-xS4 |
2.CB.35a | Renierite | (Cu1+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16 |
2.CB.35a | Vinciennite | Cu+7Cu2+3Fe2+2Fe3+2Sn(As,Sb)S16 |
2.CB.35a | Morozeviczite | (Pb,Fe)3Ge1-xS4 |
2.CB.35b | Catamarcaite | Cu6GeWS8 |
2.CB.40 | Lautite | CuAsS |
2.CB.42 | Lingbaoite | AgTe3 |
2.CB.45 | Cadmoselite | CdSe |
2.CB.45 | Greenockite | CdS |
2.CB.45 | Wurtzite | (Zn,Fe)S |
2.CB.45 | Rambergite | MnS |
2.CB.45 | Buseckite | (Fe,Zn,Mn)S |
2.CB.45 | Maletoyvayamite | Au3Se4Te6 |
2.CB.47 | Murchisite | Cr5S6 |
2.CB.50 | Zincselenide | ZnSe |
2.CB.50 | Wassonite | TiS |
2.CB.52 | Dzhezkazganite | ReMoCu2PbS6 ? |
2.CB.55a | Cubanite | CuFe2S3 |
2.CB.55b | Isocubanite | CuFe2S3 |
2.CB.60 | Picotpaulite | TlFe2S3 |
2.CB.60 | Raguinite | TlFeS2 |
2.CB.65 | Sternbergite | AgFe2S3 |
2.CB.70 | Sulvanite | Cu3VS4 |
2.CB.75 | Vulcanite | CuTe |
2.CB.80 | Empressite | AgTe |
2.CB.85 | Muthmannite | AuAgTe2 |
Fluorescence of Argentopyrite
Not fluorescent in UV
Other Information
Health Risks:
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
Internet Links for Argentopyrite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-299.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Argentopyrite
Reference List:
Ramdohr, Paul (1969) The Ore Minerals and their Intergrowths. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1174pp. doi:10.1016/c2013-0-10027-x
Localities for Argentopyrite
Locality List
- 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.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Board et al. (2011) |
Australia | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
L.Lawrence +1 other reference | |
| Canadian Mineralogist (1984) |
Austria | |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| C.Auer (2020) |
| Auer (2019) |
| Pichler (2009) |
| Vavtar (1995) |
Bolivia | |
| Paul MPB Meulenbeld collection photo ID 1115803 (XRD confirmation by Dr Sabine Verryn) |
| Wilson (2001) |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Jurković et al. (1994) |
Canada | |
| Robert O. Meyer collection |
| Mauthner (1996) |
| Hewton (2012) |
| Ames et al. (TGI) |
Chile | |
| - (2003) |
Czech Republic | |
| Dr Gunter Grundmann collection |
| Am Min 39 (1954) +1 other reference |
C.Auer (2018) | |
| |
Hyrsl et al. (2009) | |
Finland | |
| Hietanen (2015) |
France | |
| Wittern (1997) |
| P&T N°23-24 et al. (Haut-Rhin) |
| Wittern +1 other reference |
This mine worked the same vein as Gabe ... +2 other references | |
| Le Cahier des Micromonteurs (2) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Aufschluss 71 (6) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Belendorff (2021) |
| manfred groß +1 other reference |
| Andreas Gerstenberg collection |
| P Haas collection |
| Vollstädt et al. (1991) |
| P Haas collection |
| |
Wittern (2001) | |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Lapis (2008) |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) |
| Naumann et al. (1898) |
| 90. +1 other reference |
| Andreas Gerstenberg collection |
Greece | |
| Meixner et al. (1982) |
| Tombros (2008) |
India | |
| Khan et al. (2021) |
Italy | |
| Stara et al. (1993) |
Japan | |
| The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Evseev (1995) +1 other reference |
Mexico | |
| Megaw (2023) |
| Larocque et al. (2008) |
Morocco | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
Nigeria | |
| Wolfgang Hampel |
Norway | |
| Gatedal (n.d.) |
Papua New Guinea | |
| Noku et al. (2011) |
Peru | |
| www.sec.gov (n.d.) |
Romania | |
| Papp et al. (2007) |
Russia | |
| Kolova et al. (2021) |
| N. V. Sorokhtina et al. (2010) +1 other reference |
Slovakia | |
| Berkh et al. (2014) |
Slovenia | |
| Scopolia - Journal of the Slovenian ... |
Spain | |
| Rewitzer et al. (part2) |
Sweden | |
| Rincon (2022) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Rüegg (2005) |
Graeser et al. (1978) +2 other references | |
UK | |
| Ixer et al. (1987) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| - (2008) |
| Emmons et al. (1885) |
| Ream (1995) |
Quick NavTopAbout ArgentopyriteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Schneeberg, Erzgebirgskreis, Saxony, Germany