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Aguilarite

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San Carlos Mine, La Luz, Mun. de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico

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Formula:
Ag
 
4
SeS
System:MonoclinicColour:Bright lead-gray on ...
Lustre:MetallicHardness:2½
Name:Named after Señor P. Aguilar, Superintendent of the San Carlos Mine, Mexico, the type locality.
Isostructural with:Acanthite


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).

Classification of Aguilarite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/B.05-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID: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
Dana 8th edition ID:2.4.1.3

2 : SULFIDES
4 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 2:1
Hey's CIM Ref.: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
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Type Occurrence of Aguilarite

Type Locality:San Carlos Mine, La Luz, Mun. de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
Year of Discovery:1891

Occurrences of Aguilarite

Geological Setting:An uncommon, relatively low-temperature, mineral in hydrothermal deposits rich in silver and selenium, but manifestly deficient in sulfur.

Physical Properties of Aguilarite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Bright lead-gray on fresh surfaces
Comment:dull iron black after exposure to air.
Streak:grey-black
Hardness (Mohs):2½
Tenacity:Sectile
Cleavage:None Observed
Fracture:Hackly
Density (measured):7.40 - 7.53 g/cm3
Density (calculated):7.65 g/cm3

Crystallography of Aguilarite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:a = 4.33Å, b = 7.09Å, c = 7.76Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.611 : 1 : 1.094
Unit Cell Volume: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.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
2.88 (50)
2.67 (20)
2.59 (20)
2.43 (100)
2.23 (30)
1.73 (30)
1.48 (40)
Comments:Guanajuato, Mexico (ICDD 27-620).

Optical Data of Aguilarite

Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:very weak
Reflectivity:
400nmR1=34.8%R2= 35.1%
420nmR1=34.7%R2= 35.2%
440nmR1=34.6%R2= 35.2%
460nmR1=34.7%R2= 35.3%
480nmR1=34.8%R2= 35.3%
500nmR1=34.8%R2= 35.4%
520nmR1=34.6%R2= 35.6%
540nmR1=34.1%R2= 35.5%
560nmR1=33.5%R2= 35.2%
580nmR1=32.8%R2= 34.6%
600nmR1=32.1%R2= 33.8%
620nmR1=31.5%R2= 33.9%
640nmR1=31.0%R2= 32.4%
660nmR1=30.6%R2= 31.8%
680nmR1=30.2%R2= 31.4%
700nmR1=30.0%R2= 31.0%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 35.6%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red

Chemical Properties of Aguilarite

Formula:
Ag
 
4
SeS
Essential elements:Ag, S, Se
All elements listed in formula:Ag, S, Se
Common Impurities:Cu

Relationship of Aguilarite to other Species

Common Associates:
StephaniteSilverQuartzProustitePearceite
NaumanniteCalciteAcanthite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
2.BA.05Chalcocite
Cu
 
2
S
2.BA.05Djurleite
Cu
 
31
S
 
16
2.BA.05Geerite
Cu
 
8
S
 
5
2.BA.05Roxbyite
Cu
 
9
S
 
5
2.BA.10Anilite
Cu
 
7
S
 
4
2.BA.10Digenite
Cu
 
9
S
 
5
2.BA.15Bornite
Cu
 
5
FeS
 
4
2.BA.20Bellidoite
Cu
 
2
Se
2.BA.20Berzelianite
Cu
 
2
Se
2.BA.25Athabascaite
Cu
 
5
Se
 
4
2.BA.25Umangite
Cu
 
3
Se
 
2
2.BA.30Rickardite
Cu
 
7
Te
 
5
2.BA.30Weissite
Cu
 
2-x
Te
2.BA.35Acanthite
Ag
 
2
S
2.BA.40Mckinstryite
Ag
 
5-x
Cu
 
3+x
S
 
4
2.BA.40Stromeyerite
AgCuS
2.BA.40dUM2003-13-S:AgAuCu
Ag
 
6
AuCu
 
2
S
 
5
2.BA.45Jalpaite
Ag
 
3
CuS
 
2
2.BA.45Selenojalpaite
Ag
 
3
CuSe
 
2
2.BA.50Eucairite
AgCuSe
2.BA.55Naumannite
Ag
 
2
Se
2.BA.60Cervelleite
Ag
 
4
TeS
2.BA.60Hessite
Ag
 
2
Te
2.BA.60Chenguodaite
Ag
 
9
Fe
3+
 
Te
 
2
S
 
4
2.BA.65Henryite
Ag
 
3
Cu
 
4
Te
 
4
2.BA.65Stützite
Ag
 
5-x
Te
 
3
, x = 0.24-0.36
2.BA.70Argyrodite
Ag
 
8
GeS
 
6
2.BA.70Canfieldite
Ag
 
8
SnS
 
6
2.BA.70Putzite
(Cu
 
4.7
Ag
 
3.3
)GeS
 
6
2.BA.75Fischesserite
Ag
 
3
AuSe
 
2
2.BA.75Penzhinite
(Ag,Cu)
 
4
Au(S,Se)
 
4
2.BA.75Petrovskaite
AuAg(S,Se)
2.BA.75Petzite
Ag
 
3
AuTe
 
2
2.BA.75Uytenbogaardtite
Ag
 
3
AuS
 
2
2.BA.80Bezsmertnovite
(Au,Ag)
 
4
Cu(Te,Pb)
2.BA.80Bilibinskite
PbCu
 
2
Au
 
3
Te
 
2
2.BA.80Bogdanovite
(Au,Te,Pb)
 
3
(Cu,Fe)
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
3.2.1Acanthite
Ag
 
2
S
3.2.3Naumannite
Ag
 
2
Se
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
3.2.17Argentopyrite
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 Aguilarite

Other Languages:
Dutch:Aguilariet
German:Aguilarit
Italian:Aguilarite
Latvian:Agvilarīts
Simplified Chinese:辉硒银矿
Spanish:Aguilarita

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 Aguilarite

Reference List:

- +
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.: 178-179.

Mineralogical Magazine (1972): 38: 961-964.

Petruk, W.; Owens, D. R.; Stewart, J. M.; Murray, E. J. (1974) Observations on acanthite, aguilarite and naumannite. Canadian Mineralogist, 12, 365-369.

Bindi, L. & Pingitore, N.E. (2013): On the symmetry and crystal structure of aguilarite, Ag4SeS. MIneralogican Magazine, 77, 21-31.

Internet Links for Aguilarite

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    • Localities for Aguilarite

    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.
    Argentina
     
    • La Rioja
      • Vinchina Department
        • Los Llantenes district
    		Can. Min. Vol. 42, 1745-1755 (2004).
    Canada
     
    • British Columbia
      • Clinton Mining Division
    		British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Geological Fieldwork, 1986, Paper 1987-1, pp. 15-22
    China
     
    • Hubei Province
      • Yichang Prefecture
        • Xingshan Co.
    		Tianwei Guo and Zhongwen Han (1990): Northeastern Geological Science and Technology Information 11(2), 1-11
    • Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
      • Hulunbuir League (Hulunbei'er Prefecture)
        • New Barag Right Banner (Xin Barag Youqi)
    		Zhicheng Lü, Paiping Zhang, Guozheng Duan, Libo Hao, and Guanghua Dong (2002): Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology 22(1), 1-5; Zhicheng Lu, Peiping Zhang, Guozheng Duan, Libo Hao, and Dianchao Li (2002): Acta Mineralogica Sinica 22(1), 75-80
    • Jiangxi Province
      • Fuzhou Prefecture
        • Dongxiang Co.
    		Xia Ai and Zengyi Chen (1993): Geology and Prospecting 29(4), 25-29
    • Sichuan Province
      • Liangshan Autonomous Prefecture
        • Huili Co.
    		Dong Zhensheng et al. (1996). In: Tu Guangzhi, Ed.: Low Temperature Geochemistry, Science Press (Beijing), 32-42.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Central Bohemia Region
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • Vysočina Region
        • Nové Město na Moravě
    		Vavřín, I.: Nové poznatky o selenidech Českého masívu. Bulletin Mineralogicko-petrografického oddělení Národního muzea v Praze, 1994, roč. 2, s. 82-89.
    Indonesia
     
    • Jawa Island (Java Island)
      • Jawa Barat Province (West Java Province)
        • Bogor District
    		Milési, J.P., Marcoux, E., Sitorus, T., Simandjuntak, M., Leroy, J., and Bailly, L. (1999): Mineralium Deposita 34, 131-149.; The Canadian Mineralogist Vol. 41, pp. 185-200 (2003)
    • Sumatera Island (Sumatra Island)
      • Bengkulu Province (Benkoelen Province; Benkulen Province)
        • Rejang Lebong District (Rediang Lebong District)
    		Econ Geol (1997) 92:468-484
    Japan
     
    • Hokkaido
      • Ishikari Province
    		Mineral.Journ.Japan (1985) 12, 341-348; Economic Geology 93 (1998) 303-325.
      • Kamikawa Province
        • Shimokawa
    		Sugaki et al (1982) Journal of the Japan Association of Mineralogists, Petrologists and Economic Geologists, 77, 65-77.; Econ Geol (1985) 80:1415-1424
    • Honshu Island
      • Chugoku Region
        • Okayama Prefecture
          • Ihara City
            • Mihara mine
    		Econ Geol (1985) 80:1415-1424
      • Kinki Region
        • Hyogo Prefecture
          • Kinosaki-gun
    		Econ Geol (1985) 80:1415-1424
      • Tohoku Region
        • Fukushima Prefecture
          • Koriyama
    		Econ Geol (1985) 80:1415-1424
    • Kyushu Region
      • Fukuoka prefecture
        • Munakata
    		Matsukuma, T. (1962) Journal of the Mining College, Akita University, Series A, Mining Geology, 2, #2, 26-27.
      • Kagoshima Prefecture
        • Hishikari gold deposit (Hishikari gold mine)
    		Fulin Zhang, Chengmo Jin, and Qiyun Qing (1986): Geology and Prospecting 22(6), 9-12
        • Kushikino City
    		Econ Geol (1985) 80:1415-1424
        • Okuchi City
          • Okuchi mine (Oguchi mine)
    		Econ Geol (1985) 80:1415-1424
    Mexico
     
    • Guanajuato
      • Mun. de Guanajuato
        • Guanajuato
    		Marko Burkhardt collection
    - Cook, R. B. (1999). Who's Who in Mineral Names : People after Whom Mexican Minerals Have Been Named. Rocks & Minerals, Vol. 74, 1, Pages 44-50. East. Fed. Min. Lap. & Midw. Fed. Min. Geol. Soc.
        • La Luz
    		Can Min 12 (1974), 365; Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index, 3rd Edition"; Panczner (1987): 86.
    Panczner (1987): 86.
        • Nayal
    		Panczner(1987):87.
        • Rayas
    		Panczner(1987):86.
    • Guerrero
      • Mun. de Taxco
        • Taxco de Alarcón (Taxco; Tasco)
    		Panczner(1987):80,86.
    • Zacatecas
    		Robertson, J., Siepka, A., and Wells, P, 2009, Valdecanas Project-Scoping Study Technical Report. Report prepared for Minera Juanicipio JV, by Wardrop Engineering, August 20, 2009. Available on SEDAR
    New Zealand
     
    • North Island
      • Auckland
        • Auckland City
    		Railton, G.L. & Watters, W.A., Minerals of New Zealand, New Zealand Geological Survey Bull. #104 (1990).
    Econ Geol (1997) 92:468-484
      • Maratoto Valley
    		Railton, G.L. & Watters, W.A., Minerals of New Zealand, New Zealand Geological Survey Bull. #104 (1990).; Econ Geol (1997) 92:468-484
      • Waikato
        • Thames-Coromandel
          • Hikuai
    		Railton, G.L. & Watters, W.A., Minerals of New Zealand, New Zealand Geological Survey Bull. #104 (1990).; Helen A. Cocker, Jeffrey L. Mauk and Stuart D. C. Rabone (2013): The origin of Ag–Au–S–Se minerals in adularia-sericite epithermal deposits: constraints from the Broken Hills deposit, Hauraki Goldfield, New Zealand. Mineralium Deposita 48, 249-266.
        • Waihi
    		Simpson, M. P. & Mauk, J. L. (2007): The Favona epithermal gold-silver deposit, Waihi, New Zealand. Econ. Geol. 102, 817-839.
    Panama
     
    • Veraguas Province
    		Byington, C.B. and Russell, M.R., 2001, Economic geology and ore controls of the Santa Rosa Mine – An integrated structural analysis approach, Canazas, Veraguas, Republic of Panama: Society of Economic Geologists Special Publication 8, p. 318-329.
    Russia
     
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Chukotskii Autonomous Okrug
        • Chukchi Peninsula (Chukotka Peninsula; Chukotski Peninsula)
    		 Nokleberg, Warren J. et al (2005) Metallogenesis and tectonics of the Russian Far East, Alaska, and the Canadian Cordillera. USGS Professional Paper 1697
        • Okhotsk-Chukotka belt
    		http://www.infomine.com/press_releases/wpn/pr111097wpn.html
      • Kamchatka Oblast'
        • Penzhina Bay
          • Penzhina River
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990; Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    USA
     
    • Colorado
      • Hinsdale Co.
        • Lake City District (Lake District)
          • Lake City
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Idaho
      • Custer Co.
    		R&M 70:4 pp 242-263
    Ream, L.R., "Idaho Minerals," pg. 99, 1989, LR Ream Publishing, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, USA in part. Additionally from the RO Meyer collection.
      • Owyhee Co.
    		R&M 70:4 pp 242-263
    Ream, Lanny R. 2004. Idaho Minerals, 2nd edition, Revised and Updated; Can Mineral 1981 19: 409-410
    Econ Geol (1997) 92:468-484
    • Nevada
      • Elko Co.
        • Gold Circle District (Midas District)
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    LEAVITT, Ellen D., (2005) PARAGENESIS AND DISTRIBUTION OF TRACE ELEMENTS, REES, AND STABLE ISOTOPES OF EPITHERMAL AU-AG VEINS, KEN SNYDER MINE, MIDAS, NEVADA GSA 2005 Salt Lake City Annual Meeting (October 16–19, 2005) ; Economic Geology (2004) Vol. 99, pp. 1665–1686.
      • Humboldt Co.
        • Awakening District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Lander Co.
        • Lewis District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
        • Shoshone Mts
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
      • Mineral Co.
        • Rawhide District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Nye Co.
        • Round Mountain District
          • Round Mountain
            • Round Mountain
    		Bart Cannon EDS of RWMW specimen
        • Silver Bow District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Storey Co.
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    Econ Geol (1997) 92:468-484
    • Utah
      • Washington Co.
        • Leeds
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    • Washington
      • Chelan Co.
        • Wenatchee District
          • Wenatchee
            • Squillchuck Creek
    		Lasmanis, R. Et Al (1990): Metal Mines of Washington-Preliminary Report, p.9
    Cannon, B. (1975): Minerals of Washington, p.37, 103, 128; Lasmanis, R. Et Al (1990): Metal Mines of Washington-Preliminary Report, p.14
      • Ferry Co.
        • Republic District
          • Republic
            • Klondike Mountain
    		Cannon, B. (1975): Minerals of Washington' p.35, 37, 64, 136, 161
    Uzbekistan
     
    • Kyzylkum Desert
      • Central Kyzylkum Region
        • Bel'tau Mts
    		Koneev, R.I., Turesebekov, A.H., Ignatikov, E.N., Vasilevsky, B.B., and Rakhimov, R.R. (2005), In: Jingwen Mao and Bierlein, F.P. (Eds.): Mineral Deposit Research: Meeting the Global Challenge, Vol. 1, 1403-1406
        • Zarafshan
          • Muruntau ore field
    		Koneev, R.I., Turesebekov, A.H., Ignatikov, E.N., Vasilevsky, B.B., and Rakhimov, R.R. (2005), In: Jingwen Mao and Bierlein, F.P. (Eds.): Mineral Deposit Research: Meeting the Global Challenge, Vol. 1, 1403-1406
    Koneev, R.I., Turesebekov, A.H., Ignatikov, E.N., Vasilevsky, B.B., and Rakhimov, R.R. (2005), In: Jingwen Mao and Bierlein, F.P. (Eds.): Mineral Deposit Research: Meeting the Global Challenge, Vol. 1, 1403-1406
    • Tashkent Viloyati (Toshkent)
      • Angren Region
        • Chatkal-Kuraminskii Range
    		Rustam Koneev, Evgeniy Ignatikov, Arpay Turesebekov, Umid Aripov, Rustam Khalmatov, Obidjon Kodirov, Miraziz Usmanov (2005) Gold ore deposits of Uzbekistan: Geochemistry and nanomineralogy of tellurium and selenium. IGCP Project 486, 2005 Field Workshop, Kiten, Bulgaria, 14-19 September 2005
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