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Berndtite

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Shamokin, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania, USA
© 2007, JGW

Formula:
SnS
 
2
System:TrigonalColour:Yellow-brown
Hardness:1 - 2
Name:For Dr. Fritz Berndt, German Mineralogist at Corporation Minera Bolivia, Oruro, Bolivia


Melonite Group. There are two polytypes, -2T and -4H.

Classification of Berndtite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/D.28-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.EA.20

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
A : M:S = 1:2 - With Cu, Ag, Au
Dana 8th edition ID:2.12.14.5

2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
Hey's CIM Ref.:3.6.3

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
6 : Sulphides etc. of Sb and Pb
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Type Occurrence of Berndtite

Type Locality:Cerro de Potosí (Cerro Rico), Potosí City, Potosí Department, Bolivia

Physical Properties of Berndtite

Lustre:Resinous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Yellow-brown
Streak:Golden yellow
Hardness (Mohs):1 - 2
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
On {0001}
Density (measured):4.5 g/cm3
Density (calculated):4.55 g/cm3
Comment:Measured on synthetic material

Crystallography of Berndtite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Class (H-M):3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:P3m1 {P3 2/m 1}
Space Group Setting:P3m1
Cell Parameters:a = 3.639Å, c = 5.868Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.613
Unit Cell Volume:V 67.30 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:1
Morphology:Tabular hexagonal crystals
Comment:On C6 polymorph

Optical Data of Berndtite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.930 nε = 1.705
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.225

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:Dark greenish gray
Colour in reflected light:Gray
Internal Reflections:Intense brownish to orange-yellow
Pleochroism:Strong

Chemical Properties of Berndtite

Formula:
SnS
 
2
Essential elements:S, Sn
All elements listed in formula:S, Sn

Relationship of Berndtite to other Species

Common Associates:
SulphurStannitePyriteCassiterite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
2.EA.05Sylvanite
(Au,Ag)
 
2
Te
 
4
2.EA.10Calaverite
AuTe
 
2
2.EA.15Kostovite
CuAuTe
 
4
2.EA.15Krennerite
(Au,Ag)Te
 
2
2.EA.20Kitkaite
NiTeSe
2.EA.20Melonite
NiTe
 
2
2.EA.20Merenskyite
(Pd,Pt)(Te,Bi)
 
2
2.EA.20Moncheite
(Pt,Pd)(Te,Bi)
 
2
2.EA.20Shuangfengite
IrTe
 
2
2.EA.20Sudovikovite
PtSe
 
2
2.EA.25Verbeekite
PdSe
 
2
2.EA.30Drysdallite
Mo(Se,S)
 
2
2.EA.30Jordisite
MoS
 
2
2.EA.30Molybdenite
MoS
 
2
2.EA.30Tungstenite
WS
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
3.6.1Herzenbergite
(Sn,Pb)SnS
 
2
3.6.2Ottemannite
beta Sn
 
2
S
 
3
3.6.4Stistaite
SnSb
3.6.5Galena
PbS
3.6.6Clausthalite
PbSe
3.6.7Altaite
PbTe
3.6.8Furutobeite
(Cu,Ag)
 
6
PbS
 
4
3.6.9Aschamalmite
Pb
 
6
Bi
 
2
S
 
9
3.6.10Betekhtinite
Pb
 
2
(Cu,Fe)
 
21
S
 
15
3.6.11Shadlunite
(Pb,Cd)(Fe,Cu)
 
8
S
 
8

Other Names for Berndtite

Other Languages:
German:Berndtit
Russian:Берндтит
Spanish:Berndtita

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 Berndtite

Reference List:Moh, G.H. and Berndt, F. (1965) American Mineralogist, 50, 2107.

American Mineralogist: 51: 1551.

American Mineralogist: 58: 347.

American Mineralogist: 60: 739.

Internet Links for Berndtite

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    Localities for Berndtite

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