Sternbergite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Sternbergite
Formula:
AgFe2S3
Colour:
Golden brown, tarnishes violet-blue
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
1 - 1½
Specific Gravity:
4.101 - 4.215
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after Count Caspar Maria Sternberg (1761-1838), botanist and a founder of the National Museum of Prague (Czech Republic).
Dimorph of:
A rare mineral occurring in Pinchbeck brown (yellowish brown with metallic lustre), flexible(!), mm-sized tabular crystals. It and its dimorph argentopyrite are often pseudomorphed to iron oxides which collapse to dust when poked with a needle. On the way to the oxide replacements, partial pseudomorphs of pyrite or marcasite after either dimorph confused early workers.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3767
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3767:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
de7bdc44-d95f-4979-aa2e-0ef68c1b337c
IMA Classification of Sternbergite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1827
Classification of Sternbergite
2.CB.65
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.
2.9.12.1
2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
3.2.16
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
2 : Sulphides etc. of Ag
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
2 : Sulphides etc. of Ag
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Srn | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Sternbergite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Golden brown, tarnishes violet-blue
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
1 - 1½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN50=31 - 44 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {001}
on {001}
Density:
4.101 - 4.215 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.275 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Sternbergite
Anisotropism:
Strong, bluish and reddish to lilac, reddish brown to light green with p-urplish pink shades
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
---|---|---|
400nm | 18.2% | 30.1% |
420nm | 19.0% | 31.0% |
440nm | 19.8% | 32.0% |
460nm | 20.6% | 33.1% |
480nm | 21.6% | 34.0% |
500nm | 22.4% | 34.9% |
520nm | 23.2% | 35.7% |
540nm | 23.9% | 36.4% |
560nm | 24.5% | 37.0% |
580nm | 25.2% | 37.5% |
600nm | 26.0% | 38.0% |
620nm | 26.7% | 38.2% |
640nm | 27.3% | 38.3% |
660nm | 27.7% | 38.2% |
680nm | 28.0% | 38.1% |
700nm | 28.1% | 37.9% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 38.3%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Light brown
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
In browns
Chemistry of Sternbergite
Mindat Formula:
AgFe2S3
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Sternbergite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.615(2) Å, b = 11.639(4) Å, c = 12.693(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.568 : 1 : 1.091
Unit Cell V:
977.26 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Thin pseudohexagonal basal plates, rosettes and fan-like aggregates.
Twinning:
Lamellar on {130}
Comment:
Space group Ccmb (non-standard setting).
Crystallographic forms of Sternbergite
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0014818 | Sternbergite | Pertlik F (1987) Crystal structure of sternbergite, AgFe2S3 Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1987 458-464 | 1987 | Medenec, Krusne hory Mts, Czechoslovakia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
5.780 Å | (100) |
2.785 Å | (70) |
3.226 Å | (60) |
2.616 Å | (50) |
4.281 Å | (30) |
1.938 Å | (30) |
1.893 Å | (30) |
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, Co-Ni-Ag assemblage
Type Occurrence of Sternbergite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Rose-like aggregates and globules with a drusy surface. Massive material has the habit of coarse grained mica.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum, Prague, Czech Republic.
Synonyms of Sternbergite
Other Language Names for Sternbergite
French:Argent sulfuré flexible
German:Argyropyrrhotit
Sternbergit
Sternbergit
Norwegian:Sølvkis
Russian:Штернбергит
Simplified Chinese:硫银铁矿
Spanish:Argyropyrrhotita
Sternbergita
Sternbergita
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
26 photos of Sternbergite associated with Proustite | Ag3AsS3 |
11 photos of Sternbergite associated with Silver | Ag |
11 photos of Sternbergite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
7 photos of Sternbergite associated with Xanthoconite | Ag3AsS3 |
5 photos of Sternbergite associated with Goethite | α-Fe3+O(OH) |
4 photos of Sternbergite associated with Pyrargyrite | Ag3SbS3 |
3 photos of Sternbergite associated with Acanthite | Ag2S |
3 photos of Sternbergite associated with Argentopyrite | AgFe2S3 |
2 photos of Sternbergite associated with Stephanite | Ag5SbS4 |
2 photos of Sternbergite associated with Arsenic | As |
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 | 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.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 Sternbergite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3767.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
References for Sternbergite
Localities for Sternbergite
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.
Australia | |
| Alan Melbournes collection |
| Harris et al. (2003) |
| Singer et al. (2009) |
Austria | |
| Ucik et al. (1970) +1 other reference |
| Vavtar (1995) |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Jurković et al. (1994) |
Canada | |
| Peatfield (n.d.) |
Peatfield (n.d.) | |
| Ingelson et al. (1989) |
| Harris et al. (1984) |
| Ottawa Citizen +2 other references |
China | |
| Zuwei Wang and Yongzhang Zhou (2002) |
| Dong Zhensheng et al. (1996) |
| Dong Zhensheng et al. (1996) |
| Qinghua Xu et al. (2014) |
| Qingrong Zheng et al. (2012) |
Jin Chen and Yuelin Tang (1993) +3 other references | |
Czech Republic | |
| C.Auer (2016) |
| Škácha P. et al. (2007) |
| Am Min 54 (1969) |
www.mindat.org (n.d.) +4 other references | |
www.jgeosci.org (n.d.) | |
| |
Hyrsl et al. (2009) | |
| |
Finland | |
| Clark Alan H. & Taylor et al. (1) |
France | |
| www.micromineral.org (n.d.) |
| J.-L. Hohl: "Minéraux et Mines du Massif Vosgien" (Mulhouse) |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| www.berthold-weber.de (2001) +1 other reference |
| Belendorff (2021) |
| |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Baumann et al. (2000) |
Wittern (2001) | |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Ramdohr (1969) |
| Naumann et al. (1898) |
| 90. +1 other reference |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll & Jánosi. Minerals of Hungary |
Japan | |
| Dr. Matsuo Nambu collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan) +1 other reference |
| Yamada (2004) |
| Matsukuma (1962) |
| T. Matsukuma (1958) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Глоба В.А. Месторождение Манка - новый геолого-промышленный тип месторождений золота. // Изв. НАН РК et al. (403) |
Mexico | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Camprubi |
Morocco | |
| Samira |
Barral et al. (2008) | |
| Félix |
| Petruk (1975) |
Nigeria | |
| Wolfgang Hampel |
Norway | |
| Johnsen (1986) |
| Cook et al. (1998) |
| Nilsen et al. (1991) |
| Brünnich (1777) +1 other reference |
Brünnich (1777) +1 other reference | |
| Cronstedt (1758) +1 other reference |
Peru | |
| Singer et al. (2008) |
Poland | |
| Mochnacka et al. (2015) |
Romania | |
| Papp et al. (2007) |
Russia | |
| Sejkora et al. (2023) |
| Kolova et al. (2021) |
| [Der Aufschluss 1995:4 p163-180] +1 other reference |
[Der Aufschluss 1995:4 p.163-180] +1 other reference | |
| Kovalev et al. (2023) |
| Sorokhtina et al. (2019) |
| Makshakov +2 other references |
Kravtsova et al. (2017) | |
Savva et al. (2007) | |
| Grant et al. (2001) |
ROGULINA et al. (2004) | |
Dobrovol’skaya et al. (2008) | |
South Korea | |
| Choi et al. (2005) |
Choi et al. (2005) | |
| Choi et al. (2005) |
Spain | |
| Mineralogical Record (3) |
Jordi Fabre +1 other reference | |
Sweden | |
| Burke et al. (1990) |
| Rincon (2022) |
| |
UK | |
| Ixer et al. (1987) |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Murdoch (1966) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| R&M 74:6 p380-390 |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
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Jáchymov, Karlovy Vary District, Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic