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Argentotennantite

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Argentotennantite

Bessie G Mine, La Plata District, La Plata Co., Colorado, USA
Argentotennantite

Bessie G Mine, La Plata District, La Plata Co., Colorado, USA
Argentotennantite

Bessie G Mine, La Plata District, La Plata Co., Colorado, USA
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About ArgentotennantiteHide

Formula:
Ag6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13
Colour:
Grey black
Lustre:
Resinous
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
5.05 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Isometric
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.


Classification of ArgentotennantiteHide

IMA status:
Approved
Strunz 8th ed.:
2/C.11-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) ed.:
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
Dana 8th ed.:
3.3.6.7

3 : SULFOSALTS
3 : 3 <ø < 4
Hey's CIM Ref.:
5.2.7

5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
2 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Ag

Physical Properties of ArgentotennantiteHide

Lustre:
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 ArgentotennantiteHide

Type:
Isotropic
Reflectivity:
400nmR=30.9%
420nmR=30.9%
440nmR=30.8%
460nmR=30.7%
480nmR=30.5%
500nmR=30.4%
520nmR=30.4%
540nmR=30.4%
560nmR=30.4%
580nmR=30.3%
600nmR=29.9%
620nmR=29.4%
640nmR=28.8%
660nmR=28.4%
680nmR=28.2%
700nmR=27.8%

Reflectance graph
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 ArgentotennantiteHide

Formula:
Ag6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13
Elements listed:
Ag, As, Cu, Fe, S, Zn - search for minerals with similar chemistry
Common Impurities:
Pb,Cd

Crystallography of ArgentotennantiteHide

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 DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
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 ArgentotennantiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Kvartsitovje Gorki Au deposit (Quartzite Hills), Aksu (Aqsu), Stepnyak, Enbekshilder, Akmola, Kazakhstan
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:
TetrahedriteTennantiteStibniteSideriteQuartz
PyriteGoldGalenaFreibergiteAnkerite

Synonyms of ArgentotennantiteHide

Other Language Names for ArgentotennantiteHide

Relationship of Argentotennantite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Tetrahedrite Group
Other Members of this group:
ArgentotetrahedriteAg6Cu4(Fe,Zn)2Sb4S13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
FreibergiteAg6[Cu4Fe2]Sb4S13-xIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
GirauditeCu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4Se13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
GoldfielditeCu10Te4S13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
HakiteCu6[Cu4Hg2]Sb4Se13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
RozhdestvenskayaiteAg10Zn2Sb4S13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
TennantiteCu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
TetrahedriteCu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]Sb4S13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
UM1992-21-S:AgFeSb(Ag,Fe,Zn,Hg)12(Sb,As)4S13Iso.
Forms a series with:
FreibergiteArgentotennantite-Freibergite Series

Common AssociatesHide

AnkeriteCa(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
FreibergiteAg6[Cu4Fe2]Sb4S13-x
GalenaPbS
GoldAu
PyriteFeS2
QuartzSiO2
SideriteFeCO3
StibniteSb2S3
TennantiteCu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13
TetrahedriteCu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]Sb4S13

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz GroupingHide

2.GB.05FreibergiteAg6[Cu4Fe2]Sb4S13-xIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05GirauditeCu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4Se13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05GoldfielditeCu10Te4S13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05HakiteCu6[Cu4Hg2]Sb4Se13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05TennantiteCu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05TetrahedriteCu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]Sb4S13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.10SelenostephaniteAg5Sb(Se,S)4Orth.
2.GB.10StephaniteAg5SbS4Orth. mm2 : Cmc21
2.GB.15Pearceite[Ag9CuS4][(Ag,Cu)6(As,Sb)2S7]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15Polybasite[(Ag,Cu)6(Sb,As)2S7][Ag9CuS4]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.GB.15UM2003-14-S:AgBiFeTeAg16FeBiTe3S8
2.GB.15Selenopolybasite[(Ag,Cu)6(Sb,As)2(S,Se)7][Ag9Cu(S,Se)2Se2]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15Cupropearceite[Cu6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15Cupropolybasite[Cu6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m : P3 1m
2.GB.15UM1979-17-S:BiCuFe~Cu18Fe4BiS16
2.GB.20Galkhaite(Cs,Tl)(Hg,Cu,Zn)6(As,Sb)4S12Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m

Related Minerals - Dana Grouping (8th Ed.)Hide

3.3.6.1TetrahedriteCu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]Sb4S13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
3.3.6.2TennantiteCu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
3.3.6.3FreibergiteAg6[Cu4Fe2]Sb4S13-xIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
3.3.6.4HakiteCu6[Cu4Hg2]Sb4Se13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
3.3.6.5GirauditeCu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4Se13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
3.3.6.6GoldfielditeCu10Te4S13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m

Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals GroupingHide

5.2.1SmithiteAgAsS2Mon. 2/m
5.2.2TrechmanniteAgAsS2Trig.
5.2.3ProustiteAg3AsS3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
5.2.4XanthoconiteAg3AsS3Mon. 2/m : B2/b
5.2.5Pearceite[Ag9CuS4][(Ag,Cu)6(As,Sb)2S7]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
5.2.6Pearceite-T2acTrig. 3 2 : P3 2 1
5.2.8MiargyriteAgSbS2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
5.2.9PyrargyriteAg3SbS3Trig. 3m : R3c
5.2.10PyrostilpniteAg3SbS3Mon. 2/m : P21/b
5.2.11StephaniteAg5SbS4Orth. mm2 : Cmc21
5.2.12Polybasite[(Ag,Cu)6(Sb,As)2S7][Ag9CuS4]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
5.2.13BillingsleyiteAg7AsS6Iso. 2 3 : P21 3
5.2.14Polybasite-TacTrig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
5.2.15FreibergiteAg6[Cu4Fe2]Sb4S13-xIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
5.2.16AramayoiteAg3Sb2(Bi,Sb)S6Tric. 1 : P1
5.2.17MatilditeAgBiS2Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
5.2.18SchapbachiteAg0.4Pb0.2Bi0.4SIso.
5.2.19PavoniteAgBi3S5Mon. 2/m : B2/m
5.2.20ArcubisiteAg6CuBiS4
5.2.21BohdanowicziteAgBiSe2Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
5.2.22SelenostephaniteAg5Sb(Se,S)4Orth.
5.2.23Benleonardite[Ag6(Sb,As)2S6Te] [Ag9Cu(S,Te)2Te2]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
5.2.24VolynskiteAgBiTe2Orth.

Other InformationHide

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 ArgentotennantiteHide

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 ArgentotennantiteHide

Localities for ArgentotennantiteHide

ⓘ - Click for 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 (eg from pseudomorphs.)

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina
 
  • Santa Cruz
    • Deseado department
      • Deseado massif
        • Tres Cerros
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
 
  • Manitoba
    • Snow Lake District
2007 Manitoba Geological Survey Report of Field Activities
Chile
 
  • Atacama Region
    • Huasco Province
      • Carrizo district
Tartakowsky A.(1928): "Descubridora o Carrizo, Departamento de Huasco"; informe preliminar": Caja de Crédito Minero, Vallenar, Chile.
Germany
 
  • Saxony
    • Mittelsachsen
Ireland
 
  • Co. Tipperary
    • Silvermines District
Moreton, S. (1999) Mineralogical Record, 30, 99-106. Colin Andrew (Personal Communication)
Italy
 
  • Lombardy
    • Sondrio Province
      • Valtellina
        • Valfurva
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)
 
  • Akmola
    • Enbekshilder
      • Stepnyak
        • Aksu (Aqsu)
Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
Mexico
 
  • Mexico
    • Mun. de Temascaltepec
      • Temascaltepec de González (Temascaltepec)
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
 
  • Lima Department
    • Oyon Province
new species keutschite and not argentotennantite
Russia
 
  • Magadan Oblast
    • Engteri ore cluster
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
 
  • Banská Bystrica Region
    • Žiar nad Hronom Co.
Martin Števko-unpublished, EMPA-WDS confirmed
USA
 
  • Colorado
    • La Plata Co.
      • La Plata District (California District)
Josef Vajdak (2008) Mineral News, 24, #3, 15.
Mineral and/or Locality  
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