Aguilarite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Aguilarite
Formula:
Ag4SeS
Colour:
Bright lead-gray on fresh surfaces
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
7.40 - 7.53
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named after Señor P. Aguilar, Superintendent of the San Carlos Mine, Mexico, the type locality.
Isostructural with:
There appear to be two solid solution series in the system: a monoclinic ‘acanthite-like’ series (from Ag2S-Ag2S0.4Se0.6), and an orthorhombic ‘naumannite-like’ series (from Ag2S0.3Se0.7-Ag2Se) (Bindi & Pingitore, 2013; Seryotkin et al., 2015).
Compare 'UM1979-11-S:AgAsAuSe', 'UM1979-12-S:AgAsAuSe', and 'UM1979-13-S:AgAsAuSe'.
Compare 'UM1979-11-S:AgAsAuSe', 'UM1979-12-S:AgAsAuSe', and 'UM1979-13-S:AgAsAuSe'.
Unique Identifiers
IMA Classification of Aguilarite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1891
Classification of Aguilarite
2.BA.55
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
A : With Cu, Ag, Au
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
A : With Cu, Ag, Au
2.4.1.3
2 : SULFIDES
4 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 2:1
2 : SULFIDES
4 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 2:1
3.2.4
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.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Agu | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Aguilarite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Bright lead-gray on fresh surfaces
Comment:
Dull iron black after exposure to air.
Streak:
Grey-black
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Sectile
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Hackly
Density:
7.40 - 7.53 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.65 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Aguilarite
Anisotropism:
very weak
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
---|---|---|
400nm | 34.8% | 35.1% |
420nm | 34.7% | 35.2% |
440nm | 34.6% | 35.2% |
460nm | 34.7% | 35.3% |
480nm | 34.8% | 35.3% |
500nm | 34.8% | 35.4% |
520nm | 34.6% | 35.6% |
540nm | 34.1% | 35.5% |
560nm | 33.5% | 35.2% |
580nm | 32.8% | 34.6% |
600nm | 32.1% | 33.8% |
620nm | 31.5% | 33.9% |
640nm | 31.0% | 32.4% |
660nm | 30.6% | 31.8% |
680nm | 30.2% | 31.4% |
700nm | 30.0% | 31.0% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 35.6%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Chemistry of Aguilarite
Mindat Formula:
Ag4SeS
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Cu
Crystallography of Aguilarite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.33 Å, b = 7.09 Å, c = 7.76 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.611 : 1 : 1.094
Unit Cell V:
0.00 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
In skeletal pseudododecahedral crystals, commonly elongated in the direction of a pseudocubic or pseudo-octahedral edge, to 3 cm; also massive and in intergrowths with acanthite or naumannite.
Comment:
Space group P21/n. Originally assumed to be orthorhombic, with a = 4.33, b = 7.09, c = 7.76 A.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0019989 | Aguilarite | Bindi L, Pingitore N E (2013) On the symmetry and crystal structure of aguilarite, Ag4SeS Mineralogical Magazine 77 21-31 | 2013 | San Carlos mine, Guanajuato, Mexico | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
2.88 Å | (50) |
2.67 Å | (20) |
2.59 Å | (20) |
2.43 Å | (100) |
2.23 Å | (30) |
1.73 Å | (30) |
1.48 Å | (40) |
Comments:
Guanajuato, Mexico (ICDD 27-620).
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:
An uncommon, relatively low-temperature, mineral in hydrothermal deposits rich in silver and selenium, but manifestly deficient in sulfur.
Type Occurrence of Aguilarite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Skeletal pseudo-dodecahedrons. Often lengthened along one of the crystallographic axes or in the direction of a pseudo-octahedral axis. Crystals to 6 x 10 mm and groups to 15 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Aguilarite
Dutch:Aguilariet
German:Aguilarit
Italian:Aguilarite
Latvian:Agvilarīts
Simplified Chinese:辉硒银矿
Spanish:Aguilarita
Relationship of Aguilarite to other Species
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
20 photos of Aguilarite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
12 photos of Aguilarite associated with Electrum | (Au,Ag) |
12 photos of Aguilarite associated with Naumannite | Ag2Se |
7 photos of Aguilarite associated with Galena | PbS |
5 photos of Aguilarite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
5 photos of Aguilarite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
4 photos of Aguilarite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
2 photos of Aguilarite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
2 photos of Aguilarite associated with Stephanite | Ag5SbS4 |
2 photos of Aguilarite associated with Gold | Au |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
2.BA. | Orileyite | (Fe,Cu)2As |
2.BA. | Alburnite | Ag8GeTe2S4 |
2.BA. | Dzierżanowskite | CaCu2S2 |
2.BA. | Makotoite | Ag12(Cu3Au)S8 |
2.BA. | Xuwenyuanite | Ag9Fe3+Te2S4 |
2.BA.05 | Chalcocite | Cu2S |
2.BA.05 | Djurleite | Cu31S16 |
2.BA.05 | Geerite | Cu8S5 |
2.BA.05 | Roxbyite | Cu9S5 |
2.BA.10 | Anilite | Cu7S4 |
2.BA.10 | Digenite | Cu9S5 |
2.BA.15 | Bornite | Cu5FeS4 |
2.BA.20 | Bellidoite | Cu2Se |
2.BA.20 | Berzelianite | Cu2-xSe (x ≈ 0.12) |
2.BA.25 | Athabascaite | Cu5Se4 |
2.BA.25 | Umangite | Cu3Se2 |
2.BA.30 | Rickardite | Cu7Te5 |
2.BA.30 | Weissite | Cu2-xTe |
2.BA.35 | Acanthite | Ag2S |
2.BA.35 | Spryite | Ag8(As3+0.5As5+0.5)S6 |
2.BA.40 | Mckinstryite | Ag5-xCu3+xS4 |
2.BA.40 | Stromeyerite | AgCuS |
2.BA.40d | UM2003-13-S:AgAuCu | Ag6AuCu2S5 |
2.BA.42 | Honeaite | Au3TlTe2 |
2.BA.45 | Jalpaite | Ag3CuS2 |
2.BA.45 | Kurilite | Ag8Te3Se |
2.BA.45 | Selenojalpaite | Ag3CuSe2 |
2.BA.47 | Spiridonovite | (Cu1-xAgx)2Te |
2.BA.50 | Eucairite | AgCuSe |
2.BA.50 | Wuyanzhiite | Cu2S |
2.BA.52 | Argentite | Ag2S |
2.BA.55 | Naumannite | Ag2Se |
2.BA.60 | Cervelleite | Ag4TeS |
2.BA.60 | Hessite | Ag2Te |
2.BA.60 | Chenguodaite | Ag9Fe3+Te2S4 |
2.BA.65 | Henryite | (Cu,Ag)3+xTe2 , with x ~ 0.40 |
2.BA.65 | Stützite | Ag5-xTe3, x = 0.24-0.36 |
2.BA.70 | Argyrodite | Ag8GeS6 |
2.BA.70 | Canfieldite | Ag8SnS6 |
2.BA.70 | Putzite | (Cu4.7Ag3.3)GeS6 |
2.BA.75 | Fischesserite | Ag3AuSe2 |
2.BA.75 | Penzhinite | (Ag,Cu)4Au(S,Se)4 |
2.BA.75 | Petrovskaite | AuAgS |
2.BA.75 | Petzite | Ag3AuTe2 |
2.BA.75 | Uytenbogaardtite | Ag3AuS2 |
2.BA.80 | Bezsmertnovite | (Au,Ag)4Cu(Te,Pb) |
2.BA.80 | Bilibinskite | PbCu2Au3Te2 |
2.BA.80 | Bogdanovite | (Au,Te,Pb)3(Cu,Fe) |
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 Aguilarite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-59.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Aguilarite
Reference List:
Ramdohr, Paul (1969) The Ore Minerals and their Intergrowths. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1174pp. doi:10.1016/c2013-0-10027-x
Kullerud, Kåre, Kotková, Jana, Šrein, Vladimír, Drábek, Milan, Škoda, Radek (2018) Solid solutions in the system acanthite (Ag2S)–naumannite (Ag2Se) and the relationships between Ag-sulfoselenides and Se-bearing polybasite from the Kongsberg silver district, Norway, with implications for sulfur–selenium fractionation. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 173 (9) 71 doi:10.1007/s00410-018-1500-3
Localities for Aguilarite
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 | |
| Paar et al. (2004) |
Australia | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Simpson (1948) |
Simpson (1948) | |
Simpson (1948) | |
Simpson (1948) | |
| Simpson (1948) |
Bulgaria | |
| Munkov (1968) |
| Cioacă et al. (2018) |
Canada | |
| British Columbia Ministry of Energy |
| Rhys (1993) |
| Junco Rojas (2022) |
| Péntek et al. (2013) |
Chile | |
| Arfè et al. (2016) |
China | |
| Chao Chen and Fapeng Xie (1986) +1 other reference |
| Yongsheng Kuang et al. (2014) +1 other reference |
Shi et al. (2024) | |
| Zhicheng Lü et al. (2002) +2 other references |
| Xia Ai and Zengyi Chen (1993) |
| Dong Zhensheng et al. (1996) |
Czech Republic | |
| Pažout et al. (2019) |
| Bindi et al. (2016) |
| Vavřín |
France | |
| Bernadi et al. (2014) |
Indonesia | |
| Yuningsih et al. (2014) |
| Yuningsih et al. (2014) |
| Econ Geol (1997) |
| Rivai +1 other reference |
| Milési et al. (1999) +2 other references |
Yuningsih et al. (2014) | |
| Yuningsih et al. (2014) |
| Yuningsih et al. (2014) |
Iran | |
| DALIRAN et al. (2005) |
Italy | |
| Stara et al. (1999) |
Japan | |
| Matsukuma (1962) |
| Shikazono (1985) |
| Yuningsih et al. (2018) |
SUGAKI et al. (1985) +2 other references | |
| Sugaki et al (1982) +1 other reference |
| Tharalson +5 other references |
| Zeeck (2018) |
Zeeck (2018) | |
| Zeeck (2018) |
| Yamada (2004) |
| Shikazono (1985) |
| Morishita et al. (2008) +2 other references |
Fulin Zhang et al. (1986) | |
| Econ Geol (1985) |
| Shikazono (1985) |
| Shikazono (1985) |
Mexico | |
| Solana Espinosa +2 other references |
Marko Burkhardt Collection | |
Cook (1999) | |
Solé et al. (2021) | |
| Can Min 12 (1974) +2 other references |
Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Cano et al. (2024) |
| Robertson +1 other reference |
Stone +3 other references | |
New Zealand | |
| Railton et al. (1990) |
Christie et al. (2007) | |
Econ Geol (1997) | |
| Railton et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
Moore (1979) | |
Fyfe (2014) | |
Simpson et al. (2007) +1 other reference | |
Simpson et al. (2011) | |
| Fitzgerald (2004) |
| Railton et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
Norway | |
| Larsen (2015) |
Panama | |
| Byington |
Poland | |
| Kozłowski et al. (2022) |
Russia | |
| Savva et al. (2011) |
Nokleberg (2005) | |
| www.infomine.com (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
| Takahashi +3 other references |
Takahashi et al. (2002) +1 other reference | |
| - (2014) |
| Obushkov et al. (2010) |
| Savva et al. (2011) |
Savva et al. (2007) | |
| Ivin et al. (2021) |
Slovakia | |
| Berkh et al. (2014) |
| Števko M. et al. (2018) |
South Korea | |
| Choi et al. (2005) |
| Choi et al. (2005) |
Sweden | |
| Nysten |
USA | |
| Adams (2016) +1 other reference |
| Minerals of Colorado (1997) |
| Ream (1995) |
Ream | |
Allen (1990) | |
| Ream (1995) |
Lasmanis et al. (1981) +1 other reference | |
Econ Geol (1997) | |
Collins (2012) | |
| Collins (2012) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
Economic Geology (2004) +1 other reference | |
Tharalson +6 other references | |
| Cain et al. (2007) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Taksavasu et al. (2018) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Bart Cannon EDS of RWMW specimen |
| - (2005) |
| - (2005) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Econ Geol (1997) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Derkey et al. (1990, November) |
Cannon (1975) +1 other reference | |
| Cannon (1975) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Koneev et al. (2005) |
| Koneev et al. (2005) |
Koneev et al. (2005) | |
| Rustam Koneev et al. (2005) |
Quick NavTopAbout AguilariteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
San Carlos Mine, La Luz, Guanajuato Municipality, Guanajuato, Mexico