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Benjaminite

Formula:
(Ag,Cu)
 
3
(Bi,Pb)
 
7
S
 
12
System:MonoclinicColour:Grey; tarnishes dull or ...
Lustre:MetallicHardness:
Name:For Marcus Benjamin (1857-1932), American chemist, engineer, and editor of the U.S. National Museum (Smithsonian Institute).
This page provides mineralogical data about Benjaminite.

Classification of Benjaminite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/E.09-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.JA.05e

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
J : Sulfosalts of PbS archetype
A : Galena derivatives with little or no Pb
Dana 8th edition ID:3.8.10.3

3 : SULFOSALTS
8 : 1 < ø < 2
Hey's CIM Ref.:5.7.39

5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
7 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Pb and other metals
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Type Occurrence of Benjaminite

Type Locality:Outlaw Mine, Round Mountain District, Nye Co., Nevada, USA
Year of Discovery:1924

Physical Properties of Benjaminite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Grey; tarnishes dull or yellow to copper-red
Streak:Dull lead-gray
Hardness (Mohs):
Cleavage:Imperfect/Fair
Fair in one direction.
Density (measured):6.34 g/cm3

Crystallography of Benjaminite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 13.24Å, b = 4.04Å, c = 20.17Å
β = 103.21°
Ratio:a:b:c = 3.277 : 1 : 4.993
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,050.34 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Benjaminite

Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:Strong
Colour in reflected light:Gray

Chemical Properties of Benjaminite

Formula:
(Ag,Cu)
 
3
(Bi,Pb)
 
7
S
 
12
Essential elements:Ag, Bi, S
All elements listed in formula:Ag, Bi, Cu, Pb, S

Relationship of Benjaminite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
2.JA.05gBorodaevite
Ag
 
5
(Bi,Pb,Fe)
 
8
(Sb,Bi)
 
2
S
 
17
2.JA.05aCupropavonite
AgCu
 
2
PbBi
 
5
S
 
10
2.JA.05aKitaibelite
Ag
 
10
PbBi
 
30
S
 
51
2.JA.05iLivingstonite
HgSb
 
4
S
 
8
2.JA.05dMakovickyite
Ag
 
1.5
Bi
 
5.5
S
 
9
2.JA.05fMummeite
Ag
 
2
CuPbBi
 
6
S
 
13
2.JA.05aPavonite
(Ag,Cu)(Bi,Pb)
 
3
S
 
5
2.JA.05bGrumiplucite
HgBi
 
2
S
 
4
2.JA.05hMozgovaite
PbBi
 
4
(S,Se)
 
7
2.JA.05dCupromakovickyite
Cu
 
8
Pb
 
4
Ag
 
2
Bi
 
18
S
 
36
2.JA.05cKudriavite
(Cd,Pb)Bi
 
2
S
 
4
2.JA.05IMA2005-036
Ag
 
3
Cu
 
8
Pb
 
4
Bi
 
19
S
 
38
2.JA.10aCuprobismutite
Cu
 
10
Bi
 
12
S
 
23
2.JA.10cHodrušhite
Cu
 
8
Bi
 
12
S
 
22
2.JA.10ePadĕraite
Cu
 
5.9
Ag
 
1.3
Pb
 
1.6
Bi
 
11.2
S
 
22
2.JA.10dPizgrischite
Cu
 
17
Bi
 
17
S
 
35
2.JA.10bKupčíkite
(Cu,Fe)
 
4
Bi
 
5
S
 
10
2.JA.15Schapbachite
AgBiS
 
2
2.JA.15Cuboargyrite
AgSbS
 
2
2.JA.20Bohdanowiczite
AgBiSe
 
2
2.JA.20Matildite
AgBiS
 
2
2.JA.20Volynskite
AgBiTe
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
5.7.1Seligmannite
PbCuAsS
 
3
5.7.2Bournonite
PbCuSbS
 
3
5.7.3Meneghinite
Pb
 
13
CuSb
 
7
S
 
24
5.7.4Gladite
PbCuBi
 
5
S
 
9
5.7.5Lindströmite
Pb
 
3
Cu
 
3
Bi
 
7
S
 
15
5.7.6Krupkaite
PbCuBi
 
3
S
 
6
5.7.7Hammarite
Pb
 
2
Cu
 
2
Bi
 
4
S
 
9
5.7.8Friedrichite
Pb
 
5
Cu
 
5
Bi
 
7
S
 
18
5.7.9Aikinite
PbCuBiS
 
3
5.7.10Nuffieldite
Pb
 
2
Cu(Pb,Bi)Bi
 
2
S
 
7
5.7.11Jaskólskiite
Pb
 
2+x
Cu
 
x
(Sb,Bi)
 
2-x
S
 
6
x = 0.2
5.7.12Tintinaite
Pb
 
22
Cu
 
4
(Sb,Bi)
 
30
S
 
69
5.7.13Kobellite
Pb
 
22
Cu
 
4
(Bi,Sb)
 
30
S
 
69
5.7.14Proudite
CuPb
 
7.5
Bi
 
9.33
(S,Se)
 
22
5.7.15Nordströmite
CuPb
 
3
Bi
 
7
(Se
 
4
S
 
10
)
5.7.16Watkinsonite
Cu
 
2
PbBi
 
4
(Se,S,Te)
 
8
5.7.17Pekoite
PbCuBi
 
11
(S,Se)
 
18
5.7.18Petrovicite
Cu
 
3
HgPbBiSe
 
5
5.7.19Eclarite
(Cu,Fe)Pb
 
9
Bi
 
12
S
 
28
5.7.20Marrite
AgPbAsS
 
3
5.7.21Baumhauerite-2a
Pb
 
11
Ag(As,Sb)
 
18
S
 
36
5.7.22Andorite
PbAgSb
 
3
S
 
6
5.7.23Ramdohrite
Ag
 
3
Pb
 
6
Sb
 
11
S
 
24
5.7.24Roshchinite
Ag
 
19
Pb
 
10
Sb
 
51
S
 
96
5.7.25Ourayite
Ag
 
3
Pb
 
4
Bi
 
5
S
 
13
5.7.26Eskimoite
Ag
 
7
Pb
 
10
Bi
 
15
S
 
36
5.7.27Fizélyite
Pb
 
14
Ag
 
5
Sb
 
21
S
 
48
?
5.7.28Owyheeite
Ag
 
2
Pb
 
5
Sb
 
6
S
 
15
5.7.29Freieslebenite
AgPbSbS
 
3
5.7.30Diaphorite
Ag
 
3
Pb
 
2
Sb
 
3
S
 
8
5.7.31Sterryite
Ag
 
2
Pb
 
10
(Sb,As)
 
12
S
 
29
5.7.32Vikingite
Ag
 
5
Pb
 
8
Bi
 
13
S
 
30
5.7.33Zoubekite
AgPb
 
4
Sb
 
4
S
 
10
5.7.34Schirmerite
AgPb
 
2
Bi
 
3
S
 
7
5.7.36Gustavite
Ag
 
3
Pb
 
5
Bi
 
11
S
 
24
5.7.37Kitaibelite
Ag
 
10
PbBi
 
30
S
 
51
5.7.38Treasurite
Ag
 
7
Pb
 
6
Bi
 
15
S
 
32
5.7.40Lengenbachite
(Ag,Cu)
 
2
Pb
 
6
As
 
4
S
 
13
5.7.41Berryite
Pb
 
3
(Ag,Cu)
 
5
Bi
 
7
S
 
16
5.7.42Neyite
Pb
 
7
(Cu,Ag)
 
2
Bi
 
6
S
 
17
5.7.43Larosite
(Cu,Ag)
 
21
(Pb,Bi)
 
2
S
 
13
5.7.44Cupropavonite
AgCu
 
2
PbBi
 
5
S
 
10
5.7.45Padĕraite
Cu
 
5.9
Ag
 
1.3
Pb
 
1.6
Bi
 
11.2
S
 
22
5.7.46Rayite
Pb
 
8
(Ag,Tl)
 
2
Sb
 
8
S
 
21
5.7.47Rathite
(Pb,Tl)
 
3
As
 
5
S
 
10
5.7.48Hatchite
(PbTl)
 
2
AgAs
 
2
S
 
3

Other Names for Benjaminite

German names:
Benjaminit
Russian names:
Бенджаминит
Spanish names:
Benjaminita

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 Benjaminite

Reference List:Shannon (1924), U.S. National Museum, Proceedings: 65, art. 24, 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: 441-442.

Canadian Mineralogist (1975): 13: 394-407.

Canadian Mineralogist (1979): 17: 607-618.

Articles/Blogs about Benjaminite

Internet Links for Benjaminite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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  • Benjaminite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Benjaminite

    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.
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    (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
     
    • Jujuy
      • Rinconada Department
        • Pirquitas Ag-Sn Deposit
    No reference listed
    • Salta
      • Organullo Mining District
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Hohe Tauern Mts
        • Goldberg group
          • Zirknitz
            • Kleine Zirknitz valley
              • Kluidscharte
    G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
    Bolivia
     
    • Potosí Department
      • Sud Lípez Province
        • Cerro Bonete
    USGS Bulletin # 1975 (1992)
    Bulgaria
     
    • Balkan Mts (Stara-Planina Mts)
    http://www.bgd.bg/summanual_2003_5.htm
    Canada
     
    • Northwest Territories
      • Camsell River
    • Ontario
      • Timiskaming District
        • Cobalt-Gowganda region
          • South Lorrain Township
    No reference listed
    China
     
    • Jiangsu Province
      • Nanjing Prefecture
        • Jiangning District
          • Ningzhen Mining District
    Xiangping, G., Watanabe, M., Ohkawa, M., Hoshino, K., Shibata, Y., and Desong, C. (2001): Canadian Mineralogist 39(6), 1641-1652.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Kinki Region
        • Hyogo Prefecture
          • Asago-gun
            • Ikuno-machi
    The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) Matsubara
    Poland
     
    • Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie)
      • Rudawy Janowickie Mts
        • Czarnów
          • Rędziny
    Gołębiowska B., Pieczka A., Parafiniuk J. 2006: Cu(Ag)-Pb-Bi(Sb) sulphosalts from Rędziny (Western Sudetes, Poland). Mineralogia Polonica - Special Papers, vol. 28, 78-80
    Romania
     
    • Maramures Co.
      • Baiut
    Nigel G. Cook : "Bismuth Sulphosalts from Hydrothermal Vein Deposits of Neogen Age, N.W. Romania, Mitt. Österr. Miner. Ges. , 143, 1998 / Lecture to the Austrian Mineralogical Society, 23rd June 1997, Salzburg.
    Russia
     
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Primorskiy Kray
        • Dal'negorsk (Dalnegorsk)
          • Karadubsky ore field
    http://www.fegi.ru/FEGI/museum/polisk_e.htm
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Western Slovenské Rudohorie Mts
        • Kokava nad Rimavicou
    Ferenc Š, Bakoš F.,2006: Au-Bi-Te mineralizácia v sineckej astrižnej zóne (Kokava nad Rimavicou) – nový typ mineralizácie v Západných Karpatoch. Min.Slovaca, 38, 223-240
    • Košice Region
      • Eastern Slovenské Rudohorie Mts
    Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590k
      • Southern Vihorlat Mts
    Bacsó,Z.,Ďuďa,R.,1988: Metalogenéza a rudné formácie rudného poľa Remetské Hámre. Min.Slovaca,Bratislava, 3, 193-220p
      • Zemplínske Mts
    Kaličiak, M., Ďuďa, R., 1996: Geolgický vývoj, stavba a metalogenéza neovulkanitov na Východnom Slovensku. Manuskript, Archív Geofond, Bratislava, 83p
    • Žilina Region
      • Northern Low Tatra Mts
    Ozdin D., Chovan M., 1999: New mineralogical and paragenetic knowledge about siderite veins in the vicinity of Vyšná Boca, Nízke Tatry Mts. Slov. Geol. Magazine, Bratislava, 5, 4, 255-271
    Sweden
     
    • Värmland
      • Säffle
    No reference listed
    USA
     
    • Colorado
      • Clear Creek Co.
        • Alice District
    "Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", p. 13, by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997
    Min Rec 18:3 pp185-187
        • Montezuma (Summit Co.)
          • Cinnamon Gulch
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • Park Co.
        • Montezuma District
          • Hall Valley
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B.
      • San Juan Co.
        • Silverton District
          • Poughkeepsie Gulch
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • Summit Co.
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Nevada
      • Nye Co.
        • Round Mountain District
    No reference listed
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon & Ida Ralph 1993-2008. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.