Argentotennantite
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About Argentotennantite
Formula:
Ag6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13
Colour:
Grey black
Lustre:
Resinous
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
5.05 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
For its silver content and relation to tennantite.
Tetrahedrite Group. Argentotennantite-Freibergite Series.
A very rare member of the fahlore group.
Compare also the chemically similar keutschite.
A very rare member of the fahlore group.
Compare also the chemically similar keutschite.
Classification of Argentotennantite
Approved
2/C.11-20
2.GB.05
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
B : Neso-sulfarsenites, etc. with additional S
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
B : Neso-sulfarsenites, etc. with additional S
3.3.6.7
3 : SULFOSALTS
3 : 3 <ø < 4
3 : SULFOSALTS
3 : 3 <ø < 4
5.2.7
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
2 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Ag
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
2 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Ag
Physical Properties of Argentotennantite
Resinous
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Grey black
Streak:
Red-Brown to black
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=285 - 320 - Vickers
Density:
5.05 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Argentotennantite
Type:
Isotropic
Reflectivity:
400nm | R=30.9% |
420nm | R=30.9% |
440nm | R=30.8% |
460nm | R=30.7% |
480nm | R=30.5% |
500nm | R=30.4% |
520nm | R=30.4% |
540nm | R=30.4% |
560nm | R=30.4% |
580nm | R=30.3% |
600nm | R=29.9% |
620nm | R=29.4% |
640nm | R=28.8% |
660nm | R=28.4% |
680nm | R=28.2% |
700nm | R=27.8% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 30.9%.
Colour in reflected light:
Light grey to greenish grey with a faint bluish tint
Chemical Properties of Argentotennantite
Formula:
Ag6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13
Common Impurities:
Pb,Cd
Crystallography of Argentotennantite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:
I4 3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.584(3) Å
Unit Cell V:
1,185.63 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Small grains, coating on tennantite.
Comment:
Space group I-43m by analogy to tetrahedrite-tennantite.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.06 | (100) |
2.65 | (30) |
2.073 | (20) |
1.869 | (80) |
1.595 | (40) |
1.230 | (20) |
1.214 | (20) |
Comments:
Kvartsitoviye Gorki deposit, Kazakhstan.
Type Occurrence of Argentotennantite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia: 84396.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In a polymetallic deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Argentotennantite
Other Language Names for Argentotennantite
German:Argentotennantit
Spanish:Argentotennantita
Relationship of Argentotennantite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Argentotetrahedrite | Ag6Cu4(Fe,Zn)2Sb4S13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
Freibergite | Ag6[Cu4Fe2]Sb4S13-x | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
Giraudite | Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4Se13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
Goldfieldite | Cu10Te4S13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
Hakite | Cu6[Cu4Hg2]Sb4Se13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
Rozhdestvenskayaite | Ag10Zn2Sb4S13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
Tennantite | Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
Tetrahedrite | Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]Sb4S13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
UM1992-21-S:AgFeSb | (Ag,Fe,Zn,Hg)12(Sb,As)4S13 | Iso. |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Ankerite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 |
Freibergite | Ag6[Cu4Fe2]Sb4S13-x |
Galena | PbS |
Gold | Au |
Pyrite | FeS2 |
Quartz | SiO2 |
Siderite | FeCO3 |
Stibnite | Sb2S3 |
Tennantite | Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13 |
Tetrahedrite | Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]Sb4S13 |
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
2.GB.05 | Freibergite | Ag6[Cu4Fe2]Sb4S13-x | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
2.GB.05 | Giraudite | Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4Se13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
2.GB.05 | Goldfieldite | Cu10Te4S13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
2.GB.05 | Hakite | Cu6[Cu4Hg2]Sb4Se13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
2.GB.05 | Tennantite | Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
2.GB.05 | Tetrahedrite | Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]Sb4S13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
2.GB.05 | Argentotetrahedrite | Ag6Cu4(Fe,Zn)2Sb4S13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
2.GB.10 | Selenostephanite | Ag5Sb(Se,S)4 | Orth. |
2.GB.10 | Stephanite | Ag5SbS4 | Orth. mm2 : Cmc21 |
2.GB.15 | Pearceite | [Ag9CuS4][(Ag,Cu)6(As,Sb)2S7] | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
2.GB.15 | Polybasite | [(Ag,Cu)6(Sb,As)2S7][Ag9CuS4] | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
2.GB.15 | UM2003-14-S:AgBiFeTe | Ag16FeBiTe3S8 | |
2.GB.15 | Selenopolybasite | [(Ag,Cu)6(Sb,As)2(S,Se)7][Ag9Cu(S,Se)2Se2] | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
2.GB.15 | Cupropearceite | [Cu6As2S7][Ag9CuS4] | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
2.GB.15 | Cupropolybasite | [Cu6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4] | Trig. 3m : P3 1m |
2.GB.15 | UM1979-17-S:BiCuFe | ~Cu18Fe4BiS16 | |
2.GB.20 | Galkhaite | (Cs,Tl)(Hg,Cu,Zn)6(As,Sb)4S12 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
Related Minerals - Dana Grouping (8th Ed.)
3.3.6.1 | Tetrahedrite | Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]Sb4S13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
3.3.6.2 | Tennantite | Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
3.3.6.3 | Freibergite | Ag6[Cu4Fe2]Sb4S13-x | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
3.3.6.4 | Hakite | Cu6[Cu4Hg2]Sb4Se13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
3.3.6.5 | Giraudite | Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4Se13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
3.3.6.6 | Goldfieldite | Cu10Te4S13 | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
5.2.1 | Smithite | AgAsS2 | Mon. 2/m |
5.2.2 | Trechmannite | AgAsS2 | Trig. |
5.2.3 | Proustite | Ag3AsS3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
5.2.4 | Xanthoconite | Ag3AsS3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
5.2.5 | Pearceite | [Ag9CuS4][(Ag,Cu)6(As,Sb)2S7] | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
5.2.6 | Pearceite-T2ac | Trig. 3 2 : P3 2 1 | |
5.2.8 | Miargyrite | AgSbS2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
5.2.9 | Pyrargyrite | Ag3SbS3 | Trig. 3m : R3c |
5.2.10 | Pyrostilpnite | Ag3SbS3 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
5.2.11 | Stephanite | Ag5SbS4 | Orth. mm2 : Cmc21 |
5.2.12 | Polybasite | [(Ag,Cu)6(Sb,As)2S7][Ag9CuS4] | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
5.2.13 | Billingsleyite | Ag7AsS6 | Iso. 2 3 : P21 3 |
5.2.14 | Polybasite-Tac | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 | |
5.2.15 | Freibergite | Ag6[Cu4Fe2]Sb4S13-x | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m |
5.2.16 | Aramayoite | Ag3Sb2(Bi,Sb)S6 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
5.2.17 | Matildite | AgBiS2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
5.2.18 | Schapbachite | Ag0.4Pb0.2Bi0.4S | Iso. |
5.2.19 | Pavonite | AgBi3S5 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
5.2.20 | Arcubisite | Ag6CuBiS4 | |
5.2.21 | Bohdanowiczite | AgBiSe2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
5.2.22 | Selenostephanite | Ag5Sb(Se,S)4 | Orth. |
5.2.23 | Benleonardite | [Ag6(Sb,As)2S6Te] [Ag9Cu(S,Te)2Te2] | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
5.2.24 | Volynskite | AgBiTe2 | Orth. |
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.
References for Argentotennantite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Spiridonov, E.M., Sokolova, N.F., Gapeev, A.K., Dashevskaya, D.M., Evstigneeva, T.L., Chvileva, T.N., Demidov, V.G., Balashov, E.P., Shul’ga, V.I. (1986) A new mineral — argentotennantite. Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR, 290, 206–210. [in Russian]
Jambor, J.L., Grew, E.S., Puziewics, J., Vanko, D.A. (1988) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 73: 439-445.
Zakrzewski, M.A. (1989) Members of the freibergite-argentotennantite series and associated minerals from Silvermines, County Tipperary, Ireland. Mineralogical Magazine: 53: 293–298.
Rozhdestvenskaya, I.V., Zayakina, N.V., Samusikov, V.P. (1993) Crystal structure features of minerals from a series of tetrahedrite-freibergite. Mineralogiceskij Zhurnal: 15: 9-17.
King, R.J. (2001) Minerals explained 32: The tetrahedrite group. Geology Today: 17: 77-80.
Moëlo, Y., Makovicky, E., Mozgova, N.N., Jambor, J.L., Cook, N., Pring, A., Paar, W., Nickel, E.H., Graeser, S., Karup-Møller, S., Balić-Žunić, T., Mumme, W.G., Vurro, F., Topa, D., Bindi, L., Bente, K., Shimizu, M. (2008) Sulfosalt systematics: a review. Report of the sulfosalt sub-committee of the IMA Commission on Ore Mineralogy. European Journal of Mineralogy: 20: 7-46. [on relation to freibergite]
Internet Links for Argentotennantite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-319.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Localities for Argentotennantite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Jovic, S.M., Guido, D.M., Schalamuk, I.B., Ríos, F.J., Tassinari, C.C.G., Recio. C. (2011): Pingüino In-bearing polymetallic vein deposit, Deseado Massif, Patagonia, Argentina: characteristics of mineralization and ore-forming fluids. Mineralium Deposita, 46, 257-271. |
Canada | |
| 2007 Manitoba Geological Survey Report of Field Activities |
Chile | |
| Tartakowsky A.(1928): "Descubridora o Carrizo, Departamento de Huasco"; informe preliminar": Caja de Crédito Minero, Vallenar, Chile. |
Germany | |
| |
Ireland | |
| Moreton, S. (1999) Mineralogical Record, 30, 99-106. Colin Andrew (Personal Communication) |
Italy | |
| Bedognè,F,,Montrasio; A. & Sciesa;E. (2006): I minerali della media-alta Valtellina delle Orobie valtellinesi e della Val Poschiavo. Bettini, Sondrio, Italia, 255. |
Kazakhstan (TL) | |
| Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow |
Mexico | |
| Camprubi, A., Canals, A., Cardellach, E., Prol-Ledesma, R.M., Rivera, R., 2001, The La Guitarra Ag-Au low-sulfidation epithermal deposit, Temascaltepec district, Mexico: vein structure, mineralogy, and sulfide-sulfosalt chemistry. Society of Economic Geologists Special Publication, v. 8, p. 133-158. |
Peru | |
| new species keutschite and not argentotennantite |
Russia | |
| Alekseev, V. I., & Marin, Y. B. (2015). Composition and evolution of accessory mineralization of Li–F granites in the Far East as indicators of their ore potential. Geology of Ore Deposits, 57(8), 635-644. |
| Palyanova, G.A., Savva, N.E., Zhuravkova, T.V., Kolova, E.E. (2016): Gold and silver minerals in low-sulfidaton ores of the Julietta deposit (northeastern Russia). Russian Geology and Geophysics: 57: 1171-1190; http://forum.amiminerals.it/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=12972 (2016) |
Slovakia | |
| Števko M., Sejkora J., Dolníček Z., Škácha P. (2018): Selenium-Rich Ag–Au Mineralization at the Kremnica Au–Ag Epithermal Deposit, Slovak Republic. Minerals 8, 12, 572. |
USA | |
| Josef Vajdak (2008) Mineral News, 24, #3, 15. |
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Bessie G Mine, La Plata District, La Plata Co., Colorado, USA