Colusite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Colusite
East Colusa Mine (1917 or earlier)
East Colusa Mine, Butte Mining District, Silver Bow County, Montana, USA
East Colusa Mine, Butte Mining District, Silver Bow County, Montana, USA
Formula:
Cu13VAs3S16
Formerly given as Cu26V2(As,Sn,Sb)6S32.
Colour:
Bronze, pinkish bronze
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.2 - 4.5
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
Named by R. E. Landon and A. H. Mogilnor in 1933 after the type locality, the East Colusa Mine in Butte, Montana, USA.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1113
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1113:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
f1c8b1d0-fb44-4abb-8682-a63171683074
IMA Classification of Colusite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1933
Classification of Colusite
2.CB.30
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
B : With Zn, Fe, Cu, Ag, etc.
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
B : With Zn, Fe, Cu, Ag, etc.
Dana 7th ed.:
3.1.1.1
3.1.1.1
3 : SULFOSALTS
1 : ø > 4
3 : SULFOSALTS
1 : ø > 4
6.4.3
6 : Sulphosalts - Sulphostannates, Sulphogermanates,Sulpharsenates, Sulphantimonates, Sulphovanadates and Sulphohalides
4 : Sulphovanadates
6 : Sulphosalts - Sulphostannates, Sulphogermanates,Sulpharsenates, Sulphantimonates, Sulphovanadates and Sulphohalides
4 : Sulphovanadates
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 |
---|---|---|
Col | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Cls | 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 Colusite
Pronunciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Colusite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Bronze, pinkish bronze
Comment:
Type locality has a pink cast to the mineral
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=322 - 379 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Very brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Splintery
Comment:
Extremely brittle mineral, breakage looks as though fractures permeate the freshly broken surface when viewed with 30X manification.
Density:
4.2 - 4.5 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.63 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
D= 4.44 [ICDD 9-0010]
Optical Data of Colusite
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R |
---|---|
400nm | 25.1% |
420nm | 25.5% |
440nm | 25.9% |
460nm | 26.4% |
480nm | 27.0% |
500nm | 27.7% |
520nm | 28.6% |
540nm | 29.6% |
560nm | 30.5% |
580nm | 31.2% |
600nm | 31.7% |
620nm | 32.0% |
640nm | 31.9% |
660nm | 31.6% |
680nm | 31.3% |
700nm | 31.0% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 32.0%.
Colour in reflected light:
Cream colored
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Colusite
Mindat Formula:
Cu13VAs3S16
Formerly given as Cu26V2(As,Sn,Sb)6S32.
Formerly given as Cu26V2(As,Sn,Sb)6S32.
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Zn,Fe,Te
Crystallography of Colusite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:
P4 3n
Setting:
P4 3n
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.538(6) Å
Unit Cell V:
1,170.24 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Granular, massive, tetrahedral crystals; also complex pyritohedrons at type locality.
Twinning:
Rare on {111}
Crystallographic forms of Colusite
Crystal Atlas:
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0000011 | Colusite | Zachariasen W H (1933) X-Ray examination of colusite, (Cu,Fe,Mo,Sn)4(S,As,Te)3-4 American Mineralogist 18 534-537 | 1933 | Leonard mine, Butte, Montana, USA | 0 | 293 | |
0001671 | Colusite | Spry P G, Merlino S, Wang S, Zhang X, Buseck P R (1994) New occurrences and refined crystal chemistry of colusite, with comparisons to arsenosulvanite American Mineralogist 79 750-762 | 1994 | 0 | 293 | ||
0014060 | Colusite | Frank-Kamenetskaya O V, Rozhdestvenskaya I V, Yanulova L A (2002) New data on the crystal structures of colusites and arsenosulvanites Journal of Structural Chemistry 43 89-100 | 2002 | Pai-Khoi, Arkhangelsk region | 0 | 293 | |
0014061 | Colusite | Frank-Kamenetskaya O V, Rozhdestvenskaya I V, Yanulova L A (2002) New data on the crystal structures of colusites and arsenosulvanites Journal of Structural Chemistry 43 89-100 | 2002 | Butte, Montana, USA | 0 | 293 | |
0014062 | Colusite | Frank-Kamenetskaya O V, Rozhdestvenskaya I V, Yanulova L A (2002) New data on the crystal structures of colusites and arsenosulvanites Journal of Structural Chemistry 43 89-100 | 2002 | Kafan, Mongolia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.07 Å | (100) |
2.65 Å | (20) |
1.88 Å | (60) |
1.60 Å | (40) |
1.32 Å | (20) |
1.22 Å | (30) |
1.09 Å | (30) |
1.02 Å | (20) |
Comments:
ICDD 9-0010
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]) |
Type Occurrence of Colusite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
Intimately associated with tetrahedrite in irregular areas having sharp curving boundaries and outlines.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Hydrothermal copper veins
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Landon, R.E., Mogilnor, A.H. (1933) Colusite, a new mineral of the sphalerite group. American Mineralogist: 18: 528-533.
Synonyms of Colusite
Other Language Names for Colusite
Relationship of Colusite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Chatkalite | Cu6FeSn2S8 | Tet. 4 2m : P4m2 |
Germanite | Cu13Fe2Ge2S16 | Iso. 4 3m : P4 3n |
Germanocolusite | Cu26V2(Ge,As)6S32 | Iso. 4 3m : P4 3m |
Nekrasovite | Cu26V2(Sn,As,Sb)6S32 | Iso. 4 3m : P4 3n |
Renierite | (Cu1+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16 | Tet. 4 2m : P4 2c |
Stibiocolusite | Cu13V(Sb,Sn,As)3S16 | Iso. 4 3m : P4 3m |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
63 photos of Colusite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
50 photos of Colusite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
35 photos of Colusite associated with Enargite | Cu3AsS4 |
32 photos of Colusite associated with Covellite | CuS |
27 photos of Colusite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
14 photos of Colusite associated with Wurtzite | (Zn,Fe)S |
9 photos of Colusite associated with Tennantite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S |
8 photos of Colusite associated with Bornite | Cu5FeS4 |
6 photos of Colusite associated with Kiddcreekite | Cu6SnWS8 |
6 photos of Colusite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
2.CB. | Agmantinite | Ag2MnSnS4 |
2.CB. | Richardsite | Zn2CuGaS4 |
2.CB. | Gachingite | Au(Te1-xSex) |
2.CB. | Tolstykhite | Au3S4Te6 |
2.CB. | Hanswilkeite | KFeS2 |
2.CB. | Auroselenide | AuSe |
2.CB. | Ruizhongite | (Ag2◻)Pb3Ge2S8 |
2.CB. | Okruginite | Cu2SnSe3 |
2.CB.05a | Coloradoite | HgTe |
2.CB.05a | Hawleyite | CdS |
2.CB.05a | Metacinnabar | HgS |
2.CB.05c | Polhemusite | (Zn,Hg)S |
2.CB.05b | Sakuraiite | (Cu,Zn,Fe)3(In,Sn)S4 |
2.CB.05a | Sphalerite | ZnS |
2.CB.05a | Stilleite | ZnSe |
2.CB.05a | Tiemannite | HgSe |
2.CB.05 | UM1998-15-S:CuFeZn | Cu2Fe3Zn5S10 |
2.CB.05a | Rudashevskyite | (Fe,Zn)S |
2.CB.05a | Ishiharaite | (Cu,Ga,Fe,In,Zn)S |
2.CB.07a | Shenzhuangite | NiFeS2 |
2.CB.07a | Unnamed (Cu-Mn-Sn Sulpide) | Cu2MnSnS4 |
2.CB.10a | Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
2.CB.10a | Eskebornite | CuFeSe2 |
2.CB.10a | Gallite | CuGaS2 |
2.CB.10b | Haycockite | Cu4Fe5S8 |
2.CB.10a | Lenaite | AgFeS2 |
2.CB.10b | Mooihoekite | Cu9Fe9S16 |
2.CB.10b | Putoranite | Cu1.1Fe1.2S2 |
2.CB.10a | Roquesite | CuInS2 |
2.CB.10b | Talnakhite | Cu9(Fe,Ni)8S16 |
2.CB.10a | Laforêtite | AgInS2 |
2.CB.10a | Unnamed (Cu-Zn-In Sulphide) | CuZn2InS4 |
2.CB.10a | UM1984-30-S:CuFeSn | Cu2Fe2Sn3S7 |
2.CB.10c | Omariniite | Cu8Fe2ZnGe2S12 |
2.CB.15a | Černýite | Cu2(Cd,Zn,Fe)SnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Ferrokësterite | Cu2FeSnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Hocartite | Ag2(Fe2+,Zn)SnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Idaite | Cu5FeS6 |
2.CB.15a | Kësterite | Cu2ZnSnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Kuramite | Cu3SnS4 |
2.CB.15b | Mohite | Cu2SnS3 |
2.CB.15a | Pirquitasite | Ag2ZnSnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Stannite | Cu2FeSnS4 |
2.CB.15c | Stannoidite | Cu+6Cu2+2(Fe2+,Zn)3Sn2S12 |
2.CB.15a | Velikite | Cu2HgSnS4 |
2.CB.15c | UM2006-11-S:CuFeGeZn | Cu8(Fe,Zn)3Ge2S12 (?) |
2.CB.17a v | Arsenic-bearing Renierite | Cu11GeAsFe4S16 |
2.CB.20 | Chatkalite | Cu6FeSn2S8 |
2.CB.20 | Mawsonite | Cu6Fe2SnS8 |
2.CB.30 | Argyropyrite | near Ag2Fe7S11 |
2.CB.30 | Germanite | Cu13Fe2Ge2S16 |
2.CB.30 | Germanocolusite | Cu26V2(Ge,As)6S32 |
2.CB.30 | Nekrasovite | Cu26V2(Sn,As,Sb)6S32 |
2.CB.30 | Stibiocolusite | Cu13V(Sb,Sn,As)3S16 |
2.CB.30 | Ovamboite | Cu20(Fe,Cu,Zn)6W2Ge6S32 |
2.CB.30 | Maikainite | Cu20(Fe,Cu)6Mo2Ge6S32 |
2.CB.30 | Frieseite | Ag2Fe5S8 (?) |
2.CB.35a | Hemusite | Cu6SnMoS8 |
2.CB.35a | Kiddcreekite | Cu6SnWS8 |
2.CB.35a | Polkovicite | (Fe,Pb)3(Ge,Fe)1-xS4 |
2.CB.35a | Renierite | (Cu1+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16 |
2.CB.35a | Vinciennite | Cu+7Cu2+3Fe2+2Fe3+2Sn(As,Sb)S16 |
2.CB.35a | Morozeviczite | (Pb,Fe)3Ge1-xS4 |
2.CB.35b | Catamarcaite | Cu6GeWS8 |
2.CB.40 | Lautite | CuAsS |
2.CB.42 | Lingbaoite | AgTe3 |
2.CB.45 | Cadmoselite | CdSe |
2.CB.45 | Greenockite | CdS |
2.CB.45 | Wurtzite | (Zn,Fe)S |
2.CB.45 | Rambergite | MnS |
2.CB.45 | Buseckite | (Fe,Zn,Mn)S |
2.CB.45 | Maletoyvayamite | Au3Se4Te6 |
2.CB.47 | Murchisite | Cr5S6 |
2.CB.50 | Zincselenide | ZnSe |
2.CB.50 | Wassonite | TiS |
2.CB.52 | Dzhezkazganite | ReMoCu2PbS6 ? |
2.CB.55a | Cubanite | CuFe2S3 |
2.CB.55b | Isocubanite | CuFe2S3 |
2.CB.60 | Picotpaulite | TlFe2S3 |
2.CB.60 | Raguinite | TlFeS2 |
2.CB.65 | Argentopyrite | AgFe2S3 |
2.CB.65 | Sternbergite | AgFe2S3 |
2.CB.70 | Sulvanite | Cu3VS4 |
2.CB.75 | Vulcanite | CuTe |
2.CB.80 | Empressite | AgTe |
2.CB.85 | Muthmannite | AuAgTe2 |
Fluorescence of Colusite
Not fluorescent
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 Colusite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1113.html
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References for Colusite
Localities for Colusite
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.
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East Colusa Mine, Butte Mining District, Silver Bow County, Montana, USA