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Sternbergite

Big Photo

Shaft 366, Alberoda, Schlema-Hartenstein District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany
© Stephan Wolfsried

Show Sternbergite Photos (8)
Formula:
AgFe
 
2
S
 
3
System:OrthorhombicColour:Golden brown, tarnishes ...
Hardness:1 - 1½
Name:
Named after Count Caspar Maria Sternberg (1761-1838), botanist and a founder of the National Museum of Prague (Czech Republic).
Dimorph of:Argentopyrite


May be confused with argentopyrite or other visually similar silver minerals.

Classification of Sternbergite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/C.14-30
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 8th edition ID:2.9.12.1

2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:3.2.16

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 Sternbergite

Type Locality:Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal), Ostrov, Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge), Karlovy Vary Region, Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen), Czech Republic
Year of Discovery:1827

Occurrences of Sternbergite

Geological Setting:Hydrothermal veins, Co-Ni-Ag assemblage

Physical Properties of Sternbergite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Golden brown, tarnishes violet-blue
Streak:Black
Hardness (Mohs):1 - 1½
Hardness (Vickers):VHN50=31 - 44 kg/mm2
Tenacity:Flexible
Cleavage:Perfect
on {001}
Density (measured):4.101 - 4.215 g/cm3
Density (calculated):4.275 g/cm3

Crystallography of Sternbergite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:a = 6.615(2) Å, b = 11.639(4) Å, c = 12.693(4) Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.568 : 1 : 1.091
Unit Cell Volume:V 977.26 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:8
Morphology:Thin pseudohexagonal basal plates, rosettes and fan like aggregates
Twinning:Lamellar on {130}
Crystal Atlas:
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Sternbergite - Tabular {001}
Sternbergite - Contact twin on {130}

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Optical Data of Sternbergite

Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:Strong, bluish and reddish to lilac, reddish brown to light green with p-urplish pink shades
Colour in reflected light:Light brown
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:In browns

Chemical Properties of Sternbergite

Formula:
AgFe
 
2
S
 
3
Essential elements:Ag, Fe, S
All elements listed in formula:Ag, Fe, S

Relationship of Sternbergite 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.65Argentopyrite
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
3.2.17Argentopyrite
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 Sternbergite

Synonyms:
Argyropyrrhotite
Other Languages:
French:Argent sulfuré flexible
German:Argyropyrrhotit
Sternbergit
Russian:Штернбергит
Spanish:Argyropyrrhotita
Sternbergita

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 Sternbergite

Reference List:Haidinger (1827), Edinburgh Journal of Science: 7: 242.

Haidinger (1828), Royal Society of Edinburgh, Transactions: 11: 1.

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.: 246-248.

American Mineralogist (1969): 54: 1198.

Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Abhandlungen (1986): 154: 207-222.

Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte (1987): 458-464.

Internet Links for Sternbergite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Sternbergite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Sternbergite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Sternbergite

    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.
    Canada
     
    • British Columbia
      • Greenwood Mining Division
        • Beaverdell
    		[MinRec 1989]
    • Northwest Territories
      • Mackenzie District
        • Itchen Lake
    		Canadian Mineralogist (1984) 22, 493-498
    China
     
    • Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
      • Hulunbuir (Hulunbei'er) League
        • Xin Barag Right Banner
          • Altan Emel
    		Dong Zhensheng et al. (1996). In: Tu Guangzhi, Ed.: Low Temperature Geochemistry, Science Press (Beijing), 32-42.
    • Jiangxi Province
      • Shangrao Prefecture
        • Wannian Co.
    		Dong Zhensheng et al. (1996). In: Tu Guangzhi, Ed.: Low Temperature Geochemistry, Science Press (Beijing), 32-42.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Ostrov
    		Am Min 54 (1969), 1198
      • Ústí Region
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Dubí
    		No reference listed
          • Klášterec nad Ohří
    		No reference listed
    France
     
    • Brittany
      • Finistère
        • Châteauneuf-du-Faou
    		http://www.micromineral.org/collec_ENSMP/ensmp-oct2003/Rech_france_oct2003.pdf
    • Lorraine
      • Vosges
        • La-Croix-aux-Mines District
          • La-Croix-aux-Mines
    		J.-L. Hohl: "Minéraux et Mines du Massif Vosgien", Editions du Rhin (Mulhouse), 1994
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Wieden
    		K. Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
    • Bavaria
      • Upper Palatinate
        • Oberpfälzer Wald
          • Vohenstrauß
            • Waidhaus
              • Hagendorf
    		http://www.berthold-weber.de/h_miner.htm
    • Hesse
      • Odenwald
        • Nieder-Ramstadt
          • Nieder-Beerbach
    • Lower Saxony
      • Harz Mts
        • St Andreasberg District
    		No reference listed
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Sauerland
        • Meschede
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
    		Naumann, Zirkel: "Elemente der Mineralogie", 10th Ed., Leipzig (1898)
        • Johanngeorgenstadt District
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
        • Marienberg District
          • Lauta
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
        • Schneeberg District
          • Neustädtel
    		Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005)
    Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005)
        • Schwarzenberg District
          • Pöhla
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    Hungary
     
    • Pest Co.
      • Börzsöny Mts.
        • Márianosztra
    		Szakáll & Jánosi. Minerals of Hungary, 1995
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Tohoku Region
        • Aomori Prefecture
    		Dr. Matsuo Nambu collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan)
    • Kyushu Island
      • Kagoshima Prefecture
        • Suzuyama District
    		Matsukuma, T. (1962) Journal of the Mining College, Akita University, Ser. A, 2, #2, 20-59.
      • Miyazaki Prefecture
        • Tohgoh-cho
    		T. Matsukuma (1958)
    Mexico
     
    • Hidalgo
      • Mun. de Pachuca
    		Panczner(1987): 360.
    • Mexico
      • Mun. de Temascaltepec
        • Temascaltepec de González (Temascaltepec)
    		Camprubi, A., Canals, A., Cardellach, E., Prol-Ledesma, R.M., Rivera, R., 2001, The La Guitarra Ag-Au low-sulfidation epithermal deposit, Temascaltepec district, Mexico: vein structure, mineralogy, and sulfide-sulfosalt chemistry. Society of Economic Geologists Special Publication, v. 8, p. 133-158.
    Morocco
     
    • Souss-Massa-Draâ Region
      • Ouarzazate Province
        • Boumalne-Dadès
    		Barral, J.-P., Favreau, G. and Lheur, C. (2008). La mine d'argent d'Imiter (Maroc) - Géologie, histoire exploitation et description des espèces minérales. Le Cahier des Micromonteurs 3/2008, 1-110. (in French)
      • Taroudannt Province
        • Anti-Atlas Mts
          • Mt Siroua
    Norway
     
    • Buskerud
      • Flesberg
        • Svene
    		Kjell Gatedal
    Neumann (1944): 64; Neumann (1985): 23-24; Mineralogical Record: 17: 19-35.
        • Kongsberg Silver Mining District
          • Overberget Mine-field
    		Cronstedt (1758); Neumann (1985, p. 23).
    Brünnich, M. L. (1777): Forsøg til Mineralogie for Norge. Priskrift, Trondhjem, p. 22; Neumann, H. (1985): Norges Mineraler. Norges geologiske Undersøkelse Skrifter 68, p 23
    Brünnich, M. L. (1777): Forsøg til Mineralogie for Norge. Priskrift, Trondhjem, p. 22; Neumann, H. (1985): Norges Mineraler. Norges geologiske Undersøkelse Skrifter 68, p. 23
    • Nordland
      • Hemnes
        • Bleikvassli
    		Cook, N.J., Spry, P.G., and Vokes, F.M. (1998): Mineralium Deposita 34, 35-56.
    Peru
     
    • Cajamarca Department
      • Celendin Province
        • Lucmapampa
    		Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    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.
    Russia
     
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Kamchatka Oblast'
    		[Der Aufschluss 1995:4 p163-180]
    [Der Aufschluss 1995:4 p.163-180]
      • Primorskiy Kray
    		[MinRec 32:8]
    Dobrovol’skaya, M.G., Genkin, A.D., Bortnikov, N.S., and Golovanova, T.I. (2008): Geology of Ore Deposits 50(1), 75-85.
    Spain
     
    • Castile-La Mancha
      • Guadalajara
    		Mineralogical Record, 23 (3), 241-249
    Jordi Fabre
    Sweden
     
    • Västerbotten
      • Boliden
    		No reference listed
    • Västmanland
      • Hällefors
        • Grythyttan
    		No reference listed
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Dos Cabezas Mts
          • Dos Cabezas (Two Heads) District
            • Dos Cabezas
              • LeRoy Mine group
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 381.
    • California
      • Riverside Co.
        • Crestmore
    		[micromounts@yahoogroups.com]
    • Colorado
      • Clear Creek Co.
        • Georgetown District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    • Nevada
      • Lander Co.
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Storey Co.
    		R&M 74:6 p380-390
    • New Mexico
      • Catron Co.
    		Northrop, 3rd rev. ed. (1996) Minerals of New Mexico
      • Grant Co.
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. Ed., 1996
      • Socorro Co.
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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