Benjaminite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Benjaminite
Formula:
Ag3Bi7S12
Ag may be replaced by minor Cu and Bi by minor Pb.
Colour:
Grey; tarnishes dull or yellow to copper-red
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
6.34
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
For Marcus Benjamin (1857-1932), American chemist, engineer, and editor of the U.S. National Museum (Smithsonian Institute).
Co-Type Localities:
ⓘ Silver Bear mine (Terra mines; North mine; Terra Mining and Exploration Company mine), Camsell River area, Northwest Territories, Canada
ⓘ Keeley-Frontier Mine, South Lorrain Township, Cobalt-Gowganda region, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada
ⓘ Outlaw Mine, Round Mountain Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA
ⓘ Keeley-Frontier Mine, South Lorrain Township, Cobalt-Gowganda region, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada
ⓘ Outlaw Mine, Round Mountain Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA
Cu-rich and Cu-poor varieties are described by Makovicky et al. (2010).
Difficult to distinguish from pavonite; single-crystal XRD methods are necessary (Harris & Chen, 1975).
Difficult to distinguish from pavonite; single-crystal XRD methods are necessary (Harris & Chen, 1975).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
625
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:625:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
d584a133-4d80-4083-bbae-0d01ab549f98
IMA Classification of Benjaminite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1925
Classification of Benjaminite
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
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
3.8.10.3
3 : SULFOSALTS
8 : 1 < ø < 2
3 : SULFOSALTS
8 : 1 < ø < 2
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
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
7 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Pb and other metals
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Bnj | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Bnj | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Pronunciation of Benjaminite
Pronunciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Benjaminite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Grey; tarnishes dull or yellow to copper-red
Streak:
Dull lead-gray
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN50=186 - 232 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
Fair in one direction.
Fair in one direction.
Density:
6.34 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.68 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Benjaminite
Anisotropism:
Strong
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
---|---|---|
400nm | 44.2% | 47.2% |
420nm | 44.8% | 47.8% |
440nm | 45.2% | 48.6% |
460nm | 45.2% | 49.0% |
480nm | 45.0% | 49.2% |
500nm | 44.8% | 49.2% |
520nm | 44.5% | 49.0% |
540nm | 44.0% | 48.6% |
560nm | 43.6% | 48.0% |
580nm | 43.3% | 47.6% |
600nm | 43.1% | 47.2% |
620nm | 43.0% | 46.8% |
640nm | 42.8% | 46.3% |
660nm | 42.7% | 45.9% |
680nm | 42.6% | 45.6% |
700nm | 42.5% | 45.2% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 49.2%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Creamy white to very pale brownish
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Benjaminite
Mindat Formula:
Ag3Bi7S12
Ag may be replaced by minor Cu and Bi by minor Pb.
Ag may be replaced by minor Cu and Bi by minor Pb.
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Benjaminite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.25(2) Å, b = 4.05(1) Å, c = 20.25(3) Å
β = 103.14(7)°
β = 103.14(7)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 3.272 : 1 : 5
Unit Cell V:
1,058.21 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Massive and laths.
Twinning:
Commonly polysynthetic.
Crystal Structure
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0005170 | Benjaminite | Makovicky E, Mumme W G (1979) The crystal structure of benjaminite Cu.5Pb.4Ag2.3Bi6.8S12 The Canadian Mineralogist 17 607-618 | 1979 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.539 Å | (80) |
3.427 Å | (80) |
3.302 Å | (50) |
2.851 Å | (100) |
2.813 Å | (60) |
2.022 Å | (60) |
2.007 Å | (60) |
Comments:
Camsell River, Canada. Easily mistaken for pavonite.
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:
Hydrothermal veins
Type Occurrence of Benjaminite
Co-Type Localities:
ⓘ Silver Bear mine (Terra mines; North mine; Terra Mining and Exploration Company mine), Camsell River area, Northwest Territories, Canada
ⓘ Keeley-Frontier Mine, South Lorrain Township, Cobalt-Gowganda region, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada
ⓘ Outlaw Mine, Round Mountain Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA
ⓘ Keeley-Frontier Mine, South Lorrain Township, Cobalt-Gowganda region, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada
ⓘ Outlaw Mine, Round Mountain Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA
General Appearance of Type Material:
Large and small bunches and blotches in quartz. Irregular masses up to 5 cm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, 13805; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 85749; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 95058.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In a quartz vein near the contact of a soda-granite and an intrusive rhyolite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Shannon, E.V. (1925): Benjaminite, a new sulfosalt mineral of the klaprothite group. Proceedings of the U.S. National Museum, 65(24), 1-9.
Other Language Names for Benjaminite
Relationship of Benjaminite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Cupromakopavonite | Ag3Cu8Pb4Bi19S38 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Cupromakovickyite | Cu4AgPb2Bi9S18 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Cupropavonite | Cu0.9Ag0.5Pb0.6Bi2.5S5 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Dantopaite | Ag5Bi13S22 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Luboržákite | Mn2AsSbS5 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Makovickyite | Cu1.12Ag0.81Pb0.27Bi5.35S9 | Mon. 2/m |
Mummeite | Cu0.58Ag3.11Pb1.10Bi6.65S13 | Mon. |
Pavonite | AgBi3S5 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
7 photos of Benjaminite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
4 photos of Benjaminite associated with Bismuth | Bi |
4 photos of Benjaminite associated with Matildite | AgBiS2 |
3 photos of Benjaminite associated with UM1988-05-S:AgBiCuHgPb | (Hg,Ag,Cu,Pb)5Pb5Bi11S27 |
3 photos of Benjaminite associated with Cupropavonite | Cu0.9Ag0.5Pb0.6Bi2.5S5 |
3 photos of Benjaminite associated with Gustavite | AgPbBi3S6 |
2 photos of Benjaminite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
2 photos of Benjaminite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
1 photo of Benjaminite associated with Bismuthinite | Bi2S3 |
1 photo of Benjaminite associated with Pyrrhotite | Fe1-xS |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
2.JA. | Ferdowsiite | Ag8(Sb5As3)S16 |
2.JA. | Sangenaroite | Ag8(Sb8-xAsx)SΣ16 |
2.JA. | Luboržákite | Mn2AsSbS5 |
2.JA.05g | Borodaevite | Ag5(Bi,Pb,Fe)8(Sb,Bi)2S17 |
2.JA.05a | Cupropavonite | Cu0.9Ag0.5Pb0.6Bi2.5S5 |
2.JA.05i | Livingstonite | HgSb4S6(S2) |
2.JA.05d | Makovickyite | Cu1.12Ag0.81Pb0.27Bi5.35S9 |
2.JA.05f | Mummeite | Cu0.58Ag3.11Pb1.10Bi6.65S13 |
2.JA.05a | Pavonite | AgBi3S5 |
2.JA.05b | Grumiplucite | HgBi2S4 |
2.JA.05h | Mozgovaite | PbBi4S7 |
2.JA.05d | Cupromakovickyite | Cu4AgPb2Bi9S18 |
2.JA.05c | Kudriavite | (Cd,Pb)Bi2S4 |
2.JA.05a | Cupromakopavonite | Ag3Cu8Pb4Bi19S38 |
2.JA.05 | Dantopaite | Ag5Bi13S22 |
2.JA.05 | Selenodantopaite | Ag5Bi13Se22 |
2.JA.10a | Cuprobismutite | Cu8AgBi13S24 |
2.JA.10c | Hodrušite | Cu8Bi12S22 |
2.JA.10e | Padĕraite | Cu7[(Cu,Ag)0.33Pb1.33Bi11.33]S22 |
2.JA.10d | Pizgrischite | (Cu,Fe)Cu14PbBi17S35 |
2.JA.10b | Kupčíkite | Cu3.4Fe0.6Bi5S10 |
2.JA.15 | Schapbachite | Ag0.4Pb0.2Bi0.4S |
2.JA.15 | Cuboargyrite | AgSbS2 |
2.JA.20 | Bohdanowiczite | AgBiSe2 |
2.JA.20 | Matildite | AgBiS2 |
2.JA.20 | Volynskite | AgBiTe2 |
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.
Internet Links for Benjaminite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-625.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
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References for Benjaminite
Reference List:
Ramdohr, Paul (1969) The Ore Minerals and their Intergrowths. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1174pp. doi:10.1016/c2013-0-10027-x
Nuffield, E. W. (1975) Benjaminite - a re-examination of the type material. The Canadian Mineralogist, 13 (4) 394-401
Harris, D. C., Chen, T. T. (1975) Benjaminite, reinstated as valid species. The Canadian Mineralogist, 13 (4) 402-407
Makovicky, E., Mumme, W. G. (1979) The crystal structure of benjaminite Cu0.5Pb0.4Ag2.3Bi6.8S12. The Canadian Mineralogist, 17 (3) 607-618
Chang, Luke L. Y., Daqing Wu, , Knowles, Charles R. (1988) Phase relations in the system Ag2S-Cu2S-PbS-Bi2S3. Economic Geology, 83 (2) 405-418 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.83.2.405
Makovicky, E., Paar, W. H., Putz, H., Zagler, G. (2010) Dantopaite, Ag5Bi13S22, the 6P natural member of the pavonite homologous series, from Erzwies, Austria. The Canadian Mineralogist, 48 (3) 467-481 doi:10.3749/canmin.48.3.467
Perez-Mato, J.M., Elcoro, Luis, Makovicky, Emil, Topa, Dan, Petříček, Václav, Madariaga, Gotzon (2013) Conspicuous variation of the lattice unit cell in the pavonite homologous series and its relation with cation/anion occupational modulations. Materials Research Bulletin, 48 (6) 2166-2174 doi:10.1016/j.materresbull.2013.02.008
Localities for Benjaminite
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 | |
| Coira et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Paar et al. (2000) |
| DE BRODTKORB +2 other references |
Australia | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... +1 other reference |
| Grguric et al. (2017) |
Austria | |
| Paar et al. (1982) +1 other reference |
| Auer (2021) |
| Makovicky et al. (2010) |
Belgium | |
| Godfroid (1999) +2 other references |
Bolivia | |
| Kempff et al. (La Paz, 2009) |
| Keutsch et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Federico Ahlfeld and Alejandro Schneider-Scherbina (1964) |
USGS Bulletin # 1975 (1992) | |
Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
Brazil | |
| Oberthür et al. (2008) |
Bulgaria | |
| www.bgd.bg (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Canada (TL) | |
| Shannon (1924) +3 other references |
| Nuffield (1953) +2 other references |
China | |
| Yingchen Ren (1999) |
| Yuhua Xie and Jiayin Zhang (1990) |
| Xiangping et al. (2001) |
Germany | |
| Blaß et al. (2001) +1 other reference |
| Staude et al. (2010) |
| Staude et al. (2010) |
Japan | |
| The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) +1 other reference |
Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
Kazakhstan | |
| Kovalev et al. (2018) |
Norway | |
| Kvamsdal (2023) |
| Larsen et al. (2018) |
| Larsen et al. (2018) |
Kvamsdal (2023) | |
Poland | |
| Gołębiowska B. et al. (Ag) +1 other reference |
Romania | |
| www.minerals-of-the carpathians.eu (2009) |
| Nigel G. Cook : "Bismuth Sulphosalts ... |
Russia | |
| www.fegi.ru (2001) |
| Jambor et al. (1994) |
Slovakia | |
| Ferenc Š et al. (Kokava nad Rimavicou) |
| Jeleň et al. (2012) |
| As-Co mineralization in Medzev area +1 other reference |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Bacsó |
| Kaličiak |
| Ozdin D. |
Sweden | |
| |
Tajikistan | |
| Pavlova et al. (2009) |
| Safonov et al. (2000) +1 other reference |
| Lur'ye et al. (1971) |
Ukraine | |
| Biruk et al. (2012) |
USA | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
Hanson et al. (Rusty) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| U.S. Geological Survey Professional ... |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Karup-Møller (1977) +1 other reference | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Economic Geology (1996) +1 other reference |
| Shannon (1924) +3 other references |
| Maynard (2014) |
| SEM-EDS analyzed by Dr. Rob Bowell. |
Uzbekistan | |
| Kovalenker et al. (1997) |
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Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany