Cervelleite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Cervelleite
Formula:
Ag4TeS
Colour:
dark grey, black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
In honor of French mineralogist Dr. Bernard Cervelle (born 1940), Professor at the University of Paris and former IMA Chairman of the Commission on Ore Mineralogy, for his "contributions to ore mineralogy, microscope-photometry, and the development of quantitative ore microscopy".
The Te analogue of aguilarite.
A Cu-rich variety (up to 6 wt.% Cu) has been reported (Helmy, 1999; see also Novoselov et al., 2006; Voudouris et al., 2011; Kubač et al., 2018).
Novoselov et al. (2006) assume the existence of several new cervelleite-related phases ("Broad variations in composition and physical properties of cervelleite-like sulfotellurides allow the supposition of the presence of several, as yet unnamed mineral species, which can be distinguished by Cu contents, Te/S ratios, and presumably by crystal structure.").
Stoichiometrically identical but optically different phase is known: UM1976-12-S:AgTe. There are many other unnamed Ag-Te-S phases, e.g., 'UM1976-12-S:AgTe' and 'UM2003-17-S:AgTe'.
A Cu-rich variety (up to 6 wt.% Cu) has been reported (Helmy, 1999; see also Novoselov et al., 2006; Voudouris et al., 2011; Kubač et al., 2018).
Novoselov et al. (2006) assume the existence of several new cervelleite-related phases ("Broad variations in composition and physical properties of cervelleite-like sulfotellurides allow the supposition of the presence of several, as yet unnamed mineral species, which can be distinguished by Cu contents, Te/S ratios, and presumably by crystal structure.").
Stoichiometrically identical but optically different phase is known: UM1976-12-S:AgTe. There are many other unnamed Ag-Te-S phases, e.g., 'UM1976-12-S:AgTe' and 'UM2003-17-S:AgTe'.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
937
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:937:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
dcc0e773-47a3-4784-ae39-714d7360ca4e
IMA Classification of Cervelleite
Approved
Approval year:
1986
First published:
1989
Type description reference:
Classification of Cervelleite
2.BA.60
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
A : With Cu, Ag, Au
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
A : With Cu, Ag, Au
3.2.8
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.
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 |
---|---|---|
Cvl | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Cvl | 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 Cervelleite
Optical Data of Cervelleite
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R |
---|---|
400nm | 39.8% |
440nm | 40.1% |
480nm | 39.7% |
520nm | 38.9% |
560nm | 37.8% |
600nm | 36.8% |
640nm | 35.8% |
680nm | 34.9% |
700nm | 34.4% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 40.1%.
Colour in reflected light:
Pale blue to pale green
Chemistry of Cervelleite
Mindat Formula:
Ag4TeS
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Cervelleite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.2696(4) Å, b = 6.9761(5) Å, c = 8.0423(7) Å
β = 100.332(6)°
β = 100.332(6)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.612 : 1 : 1.153
Unit Cell V:
235.66 ų
Comment:
Space group P21/n. Originally considered to be cubic, with a = 14.03 A.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
5.00 Å | (very very strong) |
4.24 Å | (very strong) |
6.29 Å | (strong) |
3.766 Å | (moderately strong) |
4.64 Å | (moderate) |
5.74 Å | (weak) |
2.596 Å | (weak) |
Comments:
Moctezuma mine, Mexico. Data from the type description.
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]) |
Type Occurrence of Cervelleite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Thin rims around acanthite in hessite, blueish- to greenish white in fresh polished sections.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom, numbers BM 1985,354, E. 1161 (holotype).
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 165226 (type).
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 165226 (type).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fracture fillings in highly altered silicified vitrophyre.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Criddle, A.J., Chisholm, J.E., Stanley, C.J. (1989) Cervelleite, Ag4TeS, a new mineral from the Bambolla mine, Mexico, and a description of a photo-chemical reaction involving cervelleite, acanthite and hessite. European Journal of Mineralogy: 1: 371-380.
Synonyms of Cervelleite
Other Language Names for Cervelleite
Relationship of Cervelleite to other Species
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
3 photos of Cervelleite associated with Benleonardite | [Ag6(Sb,As)2S6Te][Ag9Cu(S,Te)2Te2] |
3 photos of Cervelleite associated with Hessite | Ag2Te |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
2.BA. | Orileyite | (Fe,Cu)2As |
2.BA. | Alburnite | Ag8GeTe2S4 |
2.BA. | Dzierżanowskite | CaCu2S2 |
2.BA. | Makotoite | Ag12(Cu3Au)S8 |
2.BA. | Xuwenyuanite | Ag9Fe3+Te2S4 |
2.BA.05 | Chalcocite | Cu2S |
2.BA.05 | Djurleite | Cu31S16 |
2.BA.05 | Geerite | Cu8S5 |
2.BA.05 | Roxbyite | Cu9S5 |
2.BA.10 | Anilite | Cu7S4 |
2.BA.10 | Digenite | Cu9S5 |
2.BA.15 | Bornite | Cu5FeS4 |
2.BA.20 | Bellidoite | Cu2Se |
2.BA.20 | Berzelianite | Cu2-xSe (x ≈ 0.12) |
2.BA.25 | Athabascaite | Cu5Se4 |
2.BA.25 | Umangite | Cu3Se2 |
2.BA.30 | Rickardite | Cu7Te5 |
2.BA.30 | Weissite | Cu2-xTe |
2.BA.35 | Acanthite | Ag2S |
2.BA.35 | Spryite | Ag8(As3+0.5As5+0.5)S6 |
2.BA.40 | Mckinstryite | Ag5-xCu3+xS4 |
2.BA.40 | Stromeyerite | AgCuS |
2.BA.40d | UM2003-13-S:AgAuCu | Ag6AuCu2S5 |
2.BA.42 | Honeaite | Au3TlTe2 |
2.BA.45 | Jalpaite | Ag3CuS2 |
2.BA.45 | Kurilite | Ag8Te3Se |
2.BA.45 | Selenojalpaite | Ag3CuSe2 |
2.BA.47 | Spiridonovite | (Cu1-xAgx)2Te |
2.BA.50 | Eucairite | AgCuSe |
2.BA.50 | Wuyanzhiite | Cu2S |
2.BA.52 | Argentite | Ag2S |
2.BA.55 | Aguilarite | Ag4SeS |
2.BA.55 | Naumannite | Ag2Se |
2.BA.60 | Hessite | Ag2Te |
2.BA.60 | Chenguodaite | Ag9Fe3+Te2S4 |
2.BA.65 | Henryite | (Cu,Ag)3+xTe2 , with x ~ 0.40 |
2.BA.65 | Stützite | Ag5-xTe3, x = 0.24-0.36 |
2.BA.70 | Argyrodite | Ag8GeS6 |
2.BA.70 | Canfieldite | Ag8SnS6 |
2.BA.70 | Putzite | (Cu4.7Ag3.3)GeS6 |
2.BA.75 | Fischesserite | Ag3AuSe2 |
2.BA.75 | Penzhinite | (Ag,Cu)4Au(S,Se)4 |
2.BA.75 | Petrovskaite | AuAgS |
2.BA.75 | Petzite | Ag3AuTe2 |
2.BA.75 | Uytenbogaardtite | Ag3AuS2 |
2.BA.80 | Bezsmertnovite | (Au,Ag)4Cu(Te,Pb) |
2.BA.80 | Bilibinskite | PbCu2Au3Te2 |
2.BA.80 | Bogdanovite | (Au,Te,Pb)3(Cu,Fe) |
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 Cervelleite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-937.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Cervelleite
Reference List:
Criddle, Alan J., Chisholm, Jim E., Stanley, Chris J. (1989) Cervelleite, Ag4TeS, a new mineral from the Bambolla mine, Mexico, and a description of a photo-chemical reaction involving cervelleite, acanthite and hessite. European Journal of Mineralogy, 1 (3) 371-380 doi:10.1127/ejm/1/3/0371
Jambor, John L., Burke, Ernst A. J. (1990) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 75 (11-12) 1431-1437
Localities for Cervelleite
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.
Argentina | |
| Márquez-Zavalía et al. (2016) |
| DE BRODTKORB +1 other reference |
BRODTKORB +3 other references | |
| Ana Cecilia Mugas-Lobos et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
| DE BRODTKORB +3 other references |
Australia | |
| Sahlström et al. (2017) |
| Simon (2019) |
Bolivia | |
| Cacho et al. (2015) |
Cacho et al. (2019) | |
Brazil | |
| Nascimento et al. (2017) |
Bulgaria | |
| Dobrev et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
| Dobrev et al. (2002) |
Canada | |
| Péntek et al. (2013) |
China | |
| Weining Zhou (1994) +1 other reference |
| Ye et al. (2014) |
| Li et al. (2023) |
| Weining Zhou (1994) +1 other reference |
| Weining Zhou (1994) +1 other reference |
| Weining Zhou (1994) |
| Xiang-Ping Gu et al. (2003) |
Egypt | |
| Zoheir et al. (2022) |
Faisal et al. (2021) | |
Canadian Mineralogist Feb. 1999 +2 other references | |
Finland | |
| Chernet |
Greece | |
| Panagiotis Christos Voudouris et al. (2011) |
| Triantafyllidis (2019) |
| Economic Geology 102 (2007) +1 other reference |
Greenland | |
| Karup-Møller et al. (1979) |
Japan | |
| Shimizu et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
Mexico (TL) | |
| Criddle et al. (1989) |
Braith et al. (2001) +2 other references | |
Poland | |
| Kozłowski et al. (2022) |
Portugal | |
| Dias et al. (2009) |
Romania | |
| Tamas +5 other references |
| Cook et al. (2002) +2 other references |
| Cook et al. (2002) |
Cook et al. (2003) +2 other references | |
| Cook et al. (2003) +2 other references |
| Dincă et al. (2018) |
Russia | |
| Maslennikov et al. (2013) |
Vinokurov et al. (2010) | |
Maslennikov et al. (2013) | |
| Novoselov et al. (2006) |
| Zhuravkova et al. (2019) |
| www.igem.ru (2001) +1 other reference |
| Bazai et al. (2009) |
| A. A. Kalinin et al. (2016) |
| Ivashchenko et al. (2011, September) +1 other reference |
| Ivashchenko et al. (2011, September) |
| Kondratieva et al. (2021) |
Kondratieva et al. (2021) | |
| [[1]]Kondratieva et al. (2023) |
[[1]]Kondratieva et al. (2023) | |
| Maslennikov et al. (2013) |
| Ankusheva et al. (2017) +1 other reference |
| Kovalenker et al. (2011) |
Юргенсон (2022) | |
Slovakia | |
| Berkh et al. (2014) |
Alexander Kubač et al. (2018) | |
Berkh et al. (2014) | |
| Duda et. all. |
Sweden | |
| Nysten |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
USA | |
| EDS confirmed by Bob Housley. |
| EDS confirmed by Bob Housley. |
Housley R. | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Mineralogical Magazine 1996 60 : 871-876 |
| Hayes et al. (2019) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Rustam Koneev et al. (2005) |
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Bambollita Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico