Berthierite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Berthierite
Pierre Berthier
Formula:
FeSb2S4
Colour:
Dark steel-grey, often with iridescent tarnish.
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
4.64
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1827 by Wilhelm Karl von Haidinger in honor of Pierre Berthier [July 3, 1782, Nemours, Seine-et-Marne, France – August 24, 1861, France], French chemist and mineralogist at the École des Mines, and also Inspector of Mines during his career. He named a number of species including chamosite, franklinite, halloysite, and nontronite. He is well-known for his study of bauxite. The mineral berthierine is also named after him.
Berthierite is a relatively rare ore mineral because it is only stable over extremely narrow intervals of fO2 and fS2 (Williams-Jones and Normand, 1997).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
640
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:640:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
5ba0c558-e725-4bee-b2ef-69f76206d2e0
IMA Classification of Berthierite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Berthierite
2.HA.20
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
H : Sulfosalts of SnS archetype
A : With Cu, Ag, Fe (without Pb)
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
H : Sulfosalts of SnS archetype
A : With Cu, Ag, Fe (without Pb)
Dana 7th ed.:
3.7.9.3
3.7.9.3
3 : SULFOSALTS
7 : ø = 2
3 : SULFOSALTS
7 : ø = 2
5.8.4
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
8 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Mn, Fe, Co and Ni
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
8 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Mn, Fe, Co and Ni
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Btr | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Btr | 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 Berthierite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Dark steel-grey, often with iridescent tarnish.
Streak:
Dark brownish-grey.
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Indistinct prismatic.
Indistinct prismatic.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Splintery
Density:
4.64 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.66 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Berthierite
Anisotropism:
Very strong
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 32.6% | 46.2% |
| 420nm | 32.2% | 45.9% |
| 440nm | 31.8% | 45.5% |
| 460nm | 31.2% | 45.0% |
| 480nm | 30.7% | 44.4% |
| 500nm | 30.4% | 43.8% |
| 520nm | 30.2% | 43.1% |
| 540nm | 30.3% | 42.5% |
| 560nm | 30.4% | 41.9% |
| 580nm | 30.8% | 41.4% |
| 600nm | 31.1% | 40.8% |
| 620nm | 31.4% | 40.3% |
| 640nm | 31.4% | 39.9% |
| 660nm | 31.4% | 39.4% |
| 680nm | 31.4% | 38.9% |
| 700nm | 31.3% | 38.4% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 46.2%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Grey
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Markedly pleochroic.
Chemistry of Berthierite
Mindat Formula:
FeSb2S4
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Mn,Cu,Pb,Ag
Crystallography of Berthierite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.44 Å, b = 14.12 Å, c = 3.76 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.81 : 1 : 0.266
Unit Cell V:
607.36 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Prismatic on, and striated parallel to [001]. Prismatic to fibrous massive, plumose, radial; granular.
Comment:
sp. gr. Pnam
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000014 | Berthierite | Buerger M J (1936) The crystal structure of berthierite American Mineralogist 21 205-206 | 1936 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0000064 | Berthierite | Buerger M J, Hahn T (1954) The crystal structure of berthierite, FeSb2S4 American Mineralogist 39 319-319 | 1954 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0000069 | Berthierite | Buerger M J, Hahn T (1955) The crystal structure of berthierite, FeSb2S4 American Mineralogist 40 226-238 |  | 1955 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019205 | Berthierite | Periotto B, Balic-Zunic T, Nestola F (2012) The role of the Sb3+ lone-electron pairs and Fe2+ coordination in the high-pressure behavior of berthierite the Baia Mare metallogenic area, Romania The Canadian Mineralogist 50 201-218 | 2012 | hydro-thermal vein-type deposit of Herja in | 0.0001 | 293 | |
| 0019206 | Berthierite | Periotto B, Balic-Zunic T, Nestola F (2012) The role of the Sb3+ lone-electron pairs and Fe2+ coordination in the high-pressure behavior of berthierite the Baia Mare metallogenic area, Romania The Canadian Mineralogist 50 201-218 | 2012 | hydro-thermal vein-type deposit of Herja in | 1.41 | 293 | |
| 0019207 | Berthierite | Periotto B, Balic-Zunic T, Nestola F (2012) The role of the Sb3+ lone-electron pairs and Fe2+ coordination in the high-pressure behavior of berthierite the Baia Mare metallogenic area, Romania The Canadian Mineralogist 50 201-218 | 2012 | hydro-thermal vein-type deposit of Herja in | 2.63 | 293 | |
| 0019208 | Berthierite | Periotto B, Balic-Zunic T, Nestola F (2012) The role of the Sb3+ lone-electron pairs and Fe2+ coordination in the high-pressure behavior of berthierite the Baia Mare metallogenic area, Romania The Canadian Mineralogist 50 201-218 | 2012 | hydro-thermal vein-type deposit of Herja in | 3.72 | 293 | |
| 0019209 | Berthierite | Periotto B, Balic-Zunic T, Nestola F (2012) The role of the Sb3+ lone-electron pairs and Fe2+ coordination in the high-pressure behavior of berthierite the Baia Mare metallogenic area, Romania The Canadian Mineralogist 50 201-218 | 2012 | hydro-thermal vein-type deposit of Herja in | 4.89 | 293 | |
| 0019210 | Berthierite | Periotto B, Balic-Zunic T, Nestola F (2012) The role of the Sb3+ lone-electron pairs and Fe2+ coordination in the high-pressure behavior of berthierite the Baia Mare metallogenic area, Romania The Canadian Mineralogist 50 201-218 | 2012 | hydro-thermal vein-type deposit of Herja in | 6.62 | 293 | |
| 0019211 | Berthierite | Periotto B, Balic-Zunic T, Nestola F (2012) The role of the Sb3+ lone-electron pairs and Fe2+ coordination in the high-pressure behavior of berthierite the Baia Mare metallogenic area, Romania The Canadian Mineralogist 50 201-218 | 2012 | hydro-thermal vein-type deposit of Herja in | 7.41 | 293 | |
| 0010254 | Berthierite | Lemoine P, Carre D, Robert F (1991) Structure du sulfure de fer et d'antimoine, FeSb2S4 (Berthierite) Acta Crystallographica C47 938-940 |  | 1991 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0010987 | Berthierite | Bente K, Edenharter A (1989) Rontgenographische strukturanalyse von MnSb2S4 und strukturverfeinerung von berthierit, FeSb2S4 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 185 31-33 | | 1989 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.07 Å | (20) |
| 6.00 Å | (4) |
| 5.692 Å | (4) |
| 5.276 Å | (6) |
| 4.350 Å | (4) |
| 3.663 Å | (90) |
| 3.628 Å | (50) |
| 3.531 Å | (20) |
| 3.458 Å | (25) |
| 3.378 Å | (40) |
| 3.181 Å | (75) |
| 3.059 Å | (30) |
| 2.999 Å | (50) |
| 2.953 Å | (10) |
| 2.862 Å | (80) |
| 2.621 Å | (95) |
| 2.601 Å | (100) |
| 2.531 Å | (30) |
| 2.509 Å | (18) |
| 2.498 Å | (25) |
| 2.353 Å | (4) |
| 2.345 Å | (8) |
| 2.322 Å | (20) |
| 2.305 Å | (8) |
| 2.267 Å | (18) |
| 2.261 Å | (14) |
| 2.239 Å | (25) |
| 2.214 Å | (18) |
| 2.168 Å | (30) |
| 2.161 Å | (30) |
| 2.129 Å | (4) |
| 2.099 Å | (6) |
| 2.044 Å | (35) |
| 2.005 Å | (20) |
| 2.001 Å | (20) |
| 1.988 Å | (2) |
| 1.941 Å | (6) |
Comments:
ICDD 24-509. Synthetic.
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:
Low-temperature hydrothermal veins rich in antimony and deficient in sulfur
Type Occurrence of Berthierite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Berthierite
Other Language Names for Berthierite
Relationship of Berthierite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Clerite | MnSb2S4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Garavellite | FeSbBiS4 | Orth. |
Structurally related to group(s):
| Meneghinite Homologous Series | Several synthetic homologues are known. |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 52 photos of Berthierite associated with Stibnite | Sb2S3 |
| 50 photos of Berthierite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 36 photos of Berthierite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 24 photos of Berthierite associated with Jamesonite | Pb4FeSb6S14 |
| 19 photos of Berthierite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 18 photos of Berthierite associated with Boulangerite | Pb5Sb4S11 |
| 14 photos of Berthierite associated with Chalcostibite | CuSbS2 |
| 14 photos of Berthierite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 11 photos of Berthierite associated with Antimony | Sb |
| 9 photos of Berthierite associated with Pyrrhotite | Fe1-xS |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.HA.05 | Chalcostibite | CuSbS2 |
| 2.HA.05 | Emplectite | CuBiS2 |
| 2.HA.05 | Grundmannite | CuBiSe2 |
| 2.HA.05 | Hansblockite | (Cu,Hg)(Bi,Pb)Se2 |
| 2.HA.05 | Příbramite | CuSbSe2 |
| 2.HA.10 | Miargyrite | AgSbS2 |
| 2.HA.20 | Garavellite | FeSbBiS4 |
| 2.HA.20 | Clerite | MnSb2S4 |
| 2.HA.20 | Graţianite | MnBi2S4 |
| 2.HA.25 | Aramayoite | Ag3Sb2(Bi,Sb)S6 |
| 2.HA.25 | Baumstarkite | Ag3Sb3S6 |
| 2.HA.30 | Zhonghongite | Cu29(As,Sb)12S33 |
Fluorescence of Berthierite
Not fluorescent in UV.
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 Berthierite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-640.html
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References for Berthierite
Reference List:
Krenner, J. (1928) Berthierit Felsőbányáról. Mathematikai és Természettudományi Értesítő, 45, 13-14.
Ramdohr, Paul (1969) The Ore Minerals and their Intergrowths. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1174pp. doi:10.1016/c2013-0-10027-x
Localities for Berthierite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
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Herja Mine, Baia Mare, Maramureș County, Romania