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Tetrahedrite Subgroup

A group of related mineral species
This page kindly sponsored by Mark Kucera
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About Tetrahedrite SubgroupHide

Formula:
Cu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12S
In the A-site, group end-members contain six III(Cu+Ag) cations, where Cu>Ag.

C2+ = Fe2+, Zn, Cd, Hg and/or other species
Colour:
Steel- to iron-gray
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.97
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
Renamed in 1845 by Wilhelm Karl von Haidinger because of the common tetrahedral form of its crystals. Originally called argentum rude album by Georgius Agricola (Georg Bauer) in 1546 because it contained silver, although it may not have necessarily been silver-dominant as a related mineral, freibergite, is. Named Fahlerts and other names by Johan Gottschalk Wallerius in 1747, while in 1758, Axel Cronstedt used the spelling fahlerz and also used a multi-word chemical descriptive for the mineral. Fahlerts/fahlerz is derived from German fahl = ash-colored and erz = ore in allusion to its grayish black color.
Biagioni et al. (2020) delineate the series of Ag-poor tetrahedrites, where Ag < 3 apfu, belong to the tetrahedrite series.

Although originally considered a series between tetrahedrite-(Fe) and tetrahedrite-(Zn), the two most common end-members, there are now (as of November 2023) seven IMA-recognized end-members. Hence, the former "Tetrahedrite Series" is here treated as the "Tetrahedrite Subgroup" of the Tetrahedrite Group.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
3924
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3924:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
da0be2c8-9bd5-4fd4-be20-6d30eb5cf45b

IMA Classification of Tetrahedrite SubgroupHide

Discredited
IMA status notes:
Redefined by the IMA
IMA Formula:
Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]Sb4S13

Classification of Tetrahedrite SubgroupHide

2.GB.05

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
B : Neso-sulfarsenites, etc. with additional S
3.3.6.1

3 : SULFOSALTS
3 : 3 <ø < 4
5.1.5

5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
1 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Cu

Physical Properties of Tetrahedrite SubgroupHide

Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Steel- to iron-gray
Streak:
Black, brown to dark red
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=312 - 351 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
4.97 g/cm3 (Measured)    4.99 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of Tetrahedrite SubgroupHide

Type:
Isotropic
Colour in reflected light:
Grey to olive brown
Comments:
n greater than 2.72

Chemistry of Tetrahedrite SubgroupHide

Mindat Formula:
Cu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12S

In the A-site, group end-members contain six III(Cu+Ag) cations, where Cu>Ag.

C2+ = Fe2+, Zn, Cd, Hg and/or other species
Common Impurities:
Ag,Pb,Zn,Fe,As

Crystallography of Tetrahedrite SubgroupHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:
I4 3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.39(16) Å
Unit Cell V:
1,121.62 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Tetrahedral crystals, massive
Twinning:
On {111} and around [111] twin axis.

Crystallographic forms of Tetrahedrite SubgroupHide

Crystal Atlas:
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Tetrahedrite no.34 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Tetrahedrite - Penetration twin on [111]
Tetrahedrite - {111}, modified
Tetrahedrite - {211}
Tetrahedrite - {111}, modified
Tetrahedrite - {111}, {110}
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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0000964Tetrahedrite SubgroupJohnson M L, Burnham C W (1985) Crystal structure refinement of an arsenic-bearing argentian tetrahedrite American Mineralogist 70 165-17019850293
0003193Tetrahedrite SubgroupFoit F F, Hughes J M (2004) Structural variations in mercurian tetrahedrite Sample A2 from the Spring Creek Claims in Harney County, Oregon American Mineralogist 89 159-16320040293
0003194Tetrahedrite SubgroupFoit F F, Hughes J M (2004) Structural variations in mercurian tetrahedrite Sample E3 from the Spring Creek Claims in Harney County, Oregon American Mineralogist 89 159-16320040293
0003195Tetrahedrite SubgroupFoit F F, Hughes J M (2004) Structural variations in mercurian tetrahedrite Sample C2 from the Spring Creek Claims in Harney County, Oregon American Mineralogist 89 159-16320040293
0003196Tetrahedrite SubgroupFoit F F, Hughes J M (2004) Structural variations in mercurian tetrahedrite Sample E5 from the Spring Creek Claims in Harney County, Oregon American Mineralogist 89 159-16320040293
0005171Tetrahedrite SubgroupMakovicky E, Skinner B J (1979) Studies of the sulfosalts of copper VII. Crystal structures of the exolution products Cu12.3Sb4S13 and Cu13.8Sb4S13 of unsubstituted synthetic tetrahedrite The Canadian Mineralogist 17 619-63419790293
0005172Tetrahedrite SubgroupMakovicky E, Skinner B J (1979) Studies of the sulfosalts of copper VII. Crystal structures of the exolution products Cu12.3Sb4S13 and Cu13.8Sb4S13 of unsubstituted synthetic tetrahedrite The Canadian Mineralogist 17 619-63419790293
0014485Tetrahedrite SubgroupPeterson R C, Miller I (1986) Crystal structure and cation distribution in freibergite and tetrahedrite Mineralogical Magazine 50 717-7211986Turquetil Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada0293
0014607Tetrahedrite SubgroupRozhdestvenskaya I V, Zayakina N V, Samusikov V P (1993) Crystal structure features of minerals from a series of tetrahedrite-freibergite Mineralogiceskij Zhurnal 15 9-1719930293
0014608Tetrahedrite SubgroupRozhdestvenskaya I V, Zayakina N V, Samusikov V P (1993) Crystal structure features of minerals from a series of tetrahedrite-freibergite Mineralogiceskij Zhurnal 15 9-1719930293
0014609Tetrahedrite SubgroupRozhdestvenskaya I V, Zayakina N V, Samusikov V P (1993) Crystal structure features of minerals from a series of tetrahedrite-freibergite Mineralogiceskij Zhurnal 15 9-1719930293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Geological Setting:
Low to moderate temperature hydrothermal veins and contact metamorphic deposits.

First Recorded Occurrence of Tetrahedrite SubgroupHide

Synonyms of Tetrahedrite SubgroupHide

Other Language Names for Tetrahedrite SubgroupHide

Varieties of Tetrahedrite SubgroupHide

ApthoniteA variety of tetrahedrite with a high silver content.
Compare argentotetrahedrite-(Fe) and related silver-rich members of the tetrahedrite group.

Originally reported from Gärdsjön mines, Grums, Värmland, Sweden.
Arsenical TetrahedriteAn arsenic-bearing tetrahedrite.
Bismuth-bearing TetrahedriteA Bi-bearing variety of tetrahedrite.

Originally reported from Gosan Mine, Saint-Luc, Anniviers Valley, Wallis (Valais), Switzerland.
Cd-FreibergiteA cadmium-rich variety of tetrahedrite (and not of freibergite as the name suggests).
Cobalt-bearing TetrahedriteProbably a mixture.
CoppiteOriginally described as a ferroan variety of tetrahedrite.
Probably simply tetrahedrite-(Fe) in the modern nomenclature scheme.
FrigiditeA nickel-bearing variety of tetrahedrite. Probably a mixture.
KobaltfahlerzA Co-bearing (and Bi-bearing) variety of tetrahedrite. Co reported to 4%.
Probably a mixture.
Lead-bearing TetrahedriteA Pb-bearing variety of tetrahedrite with up to 12.31 wt% Pb.
Mercury-bearing TetrahedriteA mercury-bearing variety of tetrahedrite, if Zn/Fe>Hg.
NOTE: If the material is Hg-dominant, it is tetrahedrite-(Hg).

Foit & Ulbricht (2001) found that the Hg content in tetrahedrite is negatively correlated to both the Fe and, especially, the Zn conten...
Silver- and Gold-bearing TetrahedriteA Ag- and Au-bearing variety of tetrahedrite.
Silver-bearing TetrahedriteDepending on the Ag:Cu ratio, material named as such may be argentotetrahedrite-(Fe).

Relationship of Tetrahedrite Subgroup to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of this group:
Arsenofreibergite Subgroup(Ag6,[Ag6]4+)(Cu4 C2+2)As4S12S0-1
Freibergite Subgroup(Ag6,[Ag6]4+)(Cu4 C2+2)Sb4S12S0-1Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Giraudite SubgroupCu6(Cu4 C2+2)As4Se12Se
Goldfieldite Subgroup(Cu4(◻,Cu)2(Cu4Cu+2)((Te,Sb,As)2Te2)S12S
Hakite SubgroupCu6(Cu4 C2+2)Sb4Se12Se
Pošepnýite(Cu+33)(Hg2+4Cu+2)Sb4Se12(Se0.50.5)Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Rozhdestvenskayaite Subgroup(Ag6,[Ag6]4+)(Ag4 C2+2)Sb4S12S0-1
Tennantite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tennantite-(In)Cu6(Cu4(In3+Cu+))As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Ústalečite Subgroup(Cu4(◻,Cu)2(Cu4Cu+2)((Te,Sb,As)2Te2)Se12Se
Zvěstovite Subgroup(Ag6,[Ag6]4+)(Ag4 C2+2)As4S12S0-1
Group Members:
Tetrahedrite-(Cd) Cu6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tetrahedrite-(Cu) Cu6(Cu4Cu2+2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tetrahedrite-(Fe) Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tetrahedrite-(Hg) Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tetrahedrite-(Mn) Cu6(Cu4Mn2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tetrahedrite-(Ni) Cu6(Cu4Ni2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tetrahedrite-(Zn) Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : F4 3m

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.GB.Polybasite-TacTrig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.Argentotetrahedrite-(Hg)Ag6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Hakite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Hakite-(Cd)Cu6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Argentotetrahedrite-(Zn)Ag6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Pošepnýite(Cu+33)(Hg2+4Cu+2)Sb4Se12(Se0.50.5)Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.ArgentopearceiteAg16As2S11Trig. 3 2 : P3 2 1
2.GB.Zvěstovite-(Zn)Ag6(Ag4Zn2)As4S12SIso.
2.GB.Kenoargentotennantite-(Fe)[Ag6]4+(Cu4Fe2)As4S12Iso.
2.GB.Tennantite-(Hg)Cu6(Cu4Hg2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Kenoargentotetrahedrite-(Zn)[Ag6]4+(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tennantite-(Cu)Cu6(Cu4Cu2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Stibiogoldfieldite(Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(Sb2Te2)S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tennantite-(Ni)Cu6(Cu4Ni2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tetrahedrite-(Ni)Cu6(Cu4Ni2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Stibioústalečite(Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(Sb2Te2)Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Arsenogoldfieldite(Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(As2Te2)S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tennantite-(In)Cu6(Cu4(In3+Cu+))As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tennantite-(Cd)Cu6(Cu4Cd2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tetrahedrite-(Mn)Cu6(Cu4Mn2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Argentopolybasite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9AgS4]Trig. 3 2 : P3 2 1
2.GB.XKenorozhdestvenskayaite-(Fe)[Ag6]4+(Ag4Fe2+2)Sb4S12Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Argentotetrahedrite-(Cd)Ag6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tennantite-(Mn)Cu6(Cu4Mn2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Zvěstovite-(Fe)Ag6(Ag4Fe2+2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Hakite-(Fe)Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tetrahedrite-(Cu)Cu6(Cu4Cu2+2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Arsenoústalečite(Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(As2Te2)Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tetrahedrite-(Cd)Cu6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Argentotennantite-(Zn)Ag6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Freibergite Subgroup(Ag6,[Ag6]4+)(Cu4 C2+2)Sb4S12S0-1Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Giraudite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Goldfieldite(Cu42)(Cu4Cu+2)Te4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Hakite-(Hg)Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Tennantite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Argentotetrahedrite-(Fe)Ag6(Cu4Fe2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Rozhdestvenskayaite-(Zn)Ag6(Ag4Zn2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05UM1992-21-S:AgFeSbAg6(Ag4Fe2+2)Sb4S12SIso.
2.GB.05Tennantite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : F4 3m
2.GB.05Tennantite-(Fe)Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite-(Fe)Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Kenoargentotetrahedrite-(Fe)[Ag6]4+(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4S12Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite-(Hg)Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.10SelenostephaniteAg5SbSe4Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
2.GB.10StephaniteAg5SbS4Orth. mm2 : Cmc21
2.GB.15Pearceite[Ag6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15Polybasite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.GB.15UM2003-14-S:AgBiFeTeAg16FeBiTe3S8
2.GB.15Selenopolybasite[(Ag,Cu)6(Sb,As)2(S,Se)7][Ag9Cu(S,Se)2Se2]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15Cupropearceite[Cu6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15Cupropolybasite[Cu6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m : P3 1m
2.GB.15UM1979-17-S:BiCuFe~Cu18Fe4BiS16
2.GB.20Galkhaite(Hg5Cu)CsAs4S12Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.20Vorontsovite(Hg5Cu)Σ6TlAs4S12Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.20Ferrovorontsovite(Fe5Cu)Σ6TlAs4S12Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Tetrahedrite Subgroup in petrologyHide

An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.

Internet Links for Tetrahedrite SubgroupHide

References for Tetrahedrite SubgroupHide

Reference List:

Localities for Tetrahedrite SubgroupHide

This 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.

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