Stannite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Stannite
Formula:
Cu2FeSnS4
Often contains Zn replacing Fe, and sometimes also traces of Ge.
Colour:
Grey, black with an olive-green tint, tarnishes pale blue
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
4.3 - 4.5
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Member of:
Name:
The name reflects its tin (Latin = "STANNum") content.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
Easily confused with its dimorph ferrokësterite.
Compare petrukite, 'UM1982-12-S:CuFeSn' and 'UM1984-31-S:CuFeSn'.
Compare petrukite, 'UM1982-12-S:CuFeSn' and 'UM1984-31-S:CuFeSn'.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3747
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3747:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
27b6755a-8322-4803-99d5-2099b5d4b64d
IMA Classification of Stannite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1797
Classification of Stannite
2.CB.15a
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.
2.9.2.1
2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
6.1.6
6 : Sulphosalts - Sulphostannates, Sulphogermanates,Sulpharsenates, Sulphantimonates, Sulphovanadates and Sulphohalides
1 : Sulphostannates and other sulfides containing Sn
6 : Sulphosalts - Sulphostannates, Sulphogermanates,Sulpharsenates, Sulphantimonates, Sulphovanadates and Sulphohalides
1 : Sulphostannates and other sulfides containing Sn
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 |
---|---|---|
Stn | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Stn | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Stannite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Grey, black with an olive-green tint, tarnishes pale blue
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN25=216 - 265 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Indistinct on {110} {001}
Indistinct on {110} {001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.3 - 4.5 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.49 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Stannite
Anisotropism:
Distinct violet - slate green
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
---|---|---|
400nm | 21.4% | 22.2% |
440nm | 23.5% | 24.7% |
480nm | 26.2% | 27.0% |
520nm | 27.7% | 28.3% |
560nm | 27.6% | 28.3% |
600nm | 27.0% | 27.6% |
640nm | 26.6% | 27.1% |
680nm | 26.5% | 27.0% |
700nm | 26.7% | 27.1% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 28.3%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Gray with olive green tinge.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Indistinct in air, distinct in oil.
Chemistry of Stannite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2FeSnS4
Often contains Zn replacing Fe, and sometimes also traces of Ge.
Often contains Zn replacing Fe, and sometimes also traces of Ge.
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ag,Zn,Cd,In
Crystallography of Stannite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4 2m - Scalenohedral
Space Group:
I4 2m
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.4432 Å, c = 10.7299 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.971
Unit Cell V:
317.91 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Rarely as crystals
Twinning:
Penetration twins on {102}. Twin axis {112}, Composition plane {112}.
Polysynthetic in polished section.
Polysynthetic in polished section.
Crystallographic forms of Stannite
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0005152 | Stannite | Hall S R, Szymanski J T, Stewart J M (1978) Kesterite, Cu2(Zn,Fe)SnS4, and stannite, Cu2(Fe,Zn)SnS4, structurally similar but distinct minerals The Canadian Mineralogist 16 131-137 | 1978 | 0 | 293 | ||
0005838 | Stannite | Bonazzi P, Bindi L, Bernardini G P, Menchetti S (2003) A model for the mechanism of incorporation of Cu, Fe and Zn in the stannite - kesterite series, Cu2FeSnS4 - Cu2ZnSnS4 The Canadian Mineralogist 41 639-647 | 2003 | 0 | 293 | ||
0005839 | Stannite | Bonazzi P, Bindi L, Bernardini G P, Menchetti S (2003) A model for the mechanism of incorporation of Cu, Fe and Zn in the stannite - kesterite series, Cu2FeSnS4 - Cu2ZnSnS4 The Canadian Mineralogist 41 639-647 | 2003 | 0 | 293 | ||
0005840 | Stannite | Bonazzi P, Bindi L, Bernardini G P, Menchetti S (2003) A model for the mechanism of incorporation of Cu, Fe and Zn in the stannite - kesterite series, Cu2FeSnS4 - Cu2ZnSnS4 The Canadian Mineralogist 41 639-647 | 2003 | 0 | 293 | ||
0010546 | Stannite | Brockway L O (1934) The crystal structure of stannite, Cu2FeSnS4 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 89 434-441 | 1934 | Oruro, Bolivia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.11 Å | (100) |
1.908 Å | (80) |
1.640 Å | (60) |
1.623 Å | (60) |
2.427 Å | (50) |
1.784 Å | (50) |
1.240 Å | (50) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
12 : Hadean hydrothermal subsurface sulfide deposits (see also #33) | |
15 : Black/white smoker minerals and other seafloor hydrothermal minerals | |
High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Type Occurrence of Stannite
Reference:
Klaproth, M.H. (1797) Untersuchung des Zinnkieses, Beiträge zur chemischen Kenntniss der Mineralkörper, Zweiter Band, Rottmann Berlin, 257-264.
Synonyms of Stannite
Other Language Names for Stannite
Catalan:Estannita
German:Stannit
Kassiterolamprit
Stannin
Zinnkies
Zinnkupferglanz
Zinnerz (in part)
Kassiterolamprit
Stannin
Zinnkies
Zinnkupferglanz
Zinnerz (in part)
Lombard:Stannite
Norwegian:Tinnkis
Russian:Станнит
Spanish:Kassiterolamprita
Stannita
Stannita
Varieties of Stannite
Zinc-bearing Stannite | A zinc-bearing variety of stannite. |
Relationship of Stannite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Briartite | Cu2(Fe,Zn)GeS4 | Tet. |
Černýite | Cu2(Cd,Zn,Fe)SnS4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
Famatinite | Cu3SbS4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
Ferrokësterite | Cu2FeSnS4 | Tet. 4 : I4 |
Hocartite | Ag2(Fe2+,Zn)SnS4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
Kësterite | Cu2ZnSnS4 | Tet. 4 : I4 |
Keutschite | Cu2AgAsS4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
Kuramite | Cu3SnS4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
Luzonite | Cu3AsS4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
Omariniite | Cu8Fe2ZnGe2S12 | Orth. 2 2 2 : I2 2 2 |
Permingeatite | Cu3SbSe4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
Petrukite | (Cu,Fe,Zn,Ag)3(Sn,In)S4 | Orth. mm2 : Pmn21 |
Pirquitasite | Ag2ZnSnS4 | Tet. 4 : I4 |
Richardsite | Zn2CuGaS4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
Stannoidite | Cu+6Cu2+2(Fe2+,Zn)3Sn2S12 | Orth. 2 2 2 : I2 2 2 |
UM1984-30-S:CuFeSn | Cu2Fe2Sn3S7 | |
Unnamed (Cu-Zn-In Sulphide) | CuZn2InS4 | |
Velikite | Cu2HgSnS4 | Tet. 4 : I4 |
Zincobriartite | Cu2(Zn,Fe)(Ge,Ga)S4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
334 photos of Stannite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
215 photos of Stannite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
212 photos of Stannite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
178 photos of Stannite associated with Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
159 photos of Stannite associated with Jamesonite | Pb4FeSb6S14 |
102 photos of Stannite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
95 photos of Stannite associated with Cassiterite | SnO2 |
92 photos of Stannite associated with Zinkenite | Pb9Sb22S42 |
60 photos of Stannite associated with Andorite | AgPbSb3S6 |
45 photos of Stannite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
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.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 | Colusite | Cu13VAs3S16 |
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 |
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 Stannite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3747.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Stannite
Reference List:
Brockway, L. O. (1934) The Crystal Structure of Stannite, Cu2FeSnS4. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 89 (1) 434-441 doi:10.1524/zkri.1934.89.1.434
Allemand, J., Wintenberger, Micheline (1970) Propriétés structurales et magnétiques de quelques composés du type stannite. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 93 (1) 14-17 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1970.6421
Harris, D. C., Owens, D. R. (1972) A stannite-kesterite exsolution from British Columbia. The Canadian Mineralogist, 11 (2) 531-534
Hall, S. R., Szymanski, J. T., Stewart, J. M. (1978) Kesterite, Cu2(Zn,Fe)SnS4, and stannite, Cu2(Fe,Zn)SnS4, structurally similar but distinct minerals. The Canadian Mineralogist, 16 (2) 131-137
Bonazzi, P., Bindi, L., Bernardini, G. P., Menchetti, S. (2003) A model for the mechanism of incorporation of Cu, Fe and Zn in the stannite-kësterite series, Cu2FeSnS4-Cu2ZnSnS4. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (3) 639-647 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.3.639
Localities for Stannite
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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Yaogangxian Mine, Yaogangxian W-Sn ore field, Yizhang Co., Chenzhou, Hunan, China