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Famatinite

Formula:
Cu
 
3
SbS
 
4
System:TetragonalHardness:3 - 4
Name:From the type locality, Sierra de Famatina, Argentina.

Classification of Famatinite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/C.06-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.KA.10

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
K : Sulfarsenates, Sulfantimonates
A : Sulfarsenates with (As,Sb)S4 tetrahedra
Dana 8th edition ID:3.2.2.2

3 : SULFOSALTS
2 : ø = 4
Hey's CIM Ref.:6.3.3

6 : Sulphosalts - Sulphostannates, Sulphogermanates,Sulpharsenates, Sulphantimonates, Sulphovanadates and Sulphohalides
3 : Sulpharsenates and sulphantimonates
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Type Occurrence of Famatinite

Type Locality:Sierra de Famatina, La Rioja, Argentina
Year of Discovery:1873

Physical Properties of Famatinite

Hardness (Mohs):3 - 4

Crystallography of Famatinite

Crystal System:Tetragonal
Cell Parameters:a = 5.38Å, c = 10.74Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.996
Unit Cell Volume:V 310.86 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Chemical Properties of Famatinite

Formula:
Cu
 
3
SbS
 
4
Essential elements:Cu, S, Sb
All elements listed in formula:Cu, S, Sb
Common Impurities:Fe,As,Bi

Relationship of Famatinite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Luzonite (see here)
Member of:Stannite Group
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
2.KA.05Enargite
Cu
 
3
AsS
 
4
2.KA.05Petrukite
(Cu,Fe,Zn,Ag)
 
3
(Sn,In)S
 
4
2.KA.10Briartite
Cu
 
2
(Fe,Zn)GeS
 
4
2.KA.10Luzonite
Cu
 
3
AsS
 
4
2.KA.10Permingeatite
Cu
 
3
SbSe
 
4
2.KA.10Barquillite
Cu
 
2
CdGeS
 
4
2.KA.15Fangite
Tl
 
3
AsS
 
4
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
6.3.1Enargite
Cu
 
3
AsS
 
4
6.3.2Luzonite
Cu
 
3
AsS
 
4

Other Names for Famatinite

Synonyms:
Stibioluzonite (of Schneiderhöhn & Ramdohr)Stibioluzonite (of Strunz)
Other Languages:
German:Famatinit
Stibioluzonit
Russian:Фаматинит
Spanish:Famatinita
Stibioluzonita

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 Famatinite

Reference List:Stelzner (1873) Min. Mitt.: 242.

vom Rath (1880) Zs. Kr.: 4: 426.

Stevanović (1903), Zs. Kr.: 37: 240.

Shannon (1917), American Journal of Science: 44: 469.

Schneiderhöhn and Ramdohr (1931): 2: 469.

Harcourt (1937), American Mineralogist: 22: 517.

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: 387-389.

Tanelli G. (1970) - Ricerche sui minerali del gruppo dell'enargite (enargite, stibioenargite, luzonite, famatinite, stibioluzonite). Periodico di mineralogia – Roma, pp. 561-583.

Internet Links for Famatinite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    Localities for Famatinite

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