Argentotennantite
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Formula:
Ag6Cu4(Fe,Zn)2As4S13
System:
Isometric
Colour:
Grey black
Lustre:
Resinous
Hardness:
3½
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
Diaphaneity (Transparency):
Opaque
Colour:
Grey black
Streak:
Red-Brown to black
Hardness (Mohs):
3½
Hardness (Vickers):
VHN100=285 - 320
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
IMA Formula:
Ag6Cu4(Fe,Zn)2As4S13
Analytical Data:
Kvartsitoviye Gorki deposit, Kazakhstan; by electron microprobe.
Ag (33.54) Cu (15.60) Fe (1.13) Zn (5.44) Pb (0.18) Cd (0.10) Sb (12.59) As (8.80) S (22.66) Total (100.04)
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 Volume:
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 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.
Occurrences of Argentotennantite
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.
Empirical Formula:
(Ag5.67Cu4.48)(Zn1.52Fe0.37Pb0.01Cd0.01)(As2.14Sb1.89)S12.90
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Relationship of Argentotennantite to other Species
Series:
Forms a series with Freibergite (see here)
Member of:
Other Members of Group:
| Argentotetrahedrite | Ag6 Cu4(Fe,Zn)2Sb4S13 |
| Freibergite | Ag6[Cu4Fe2]Sb4S13-x |
| Giraudite | Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4Se13 |
| Goldfieldite | Cu10Te4S13 |
| Hakite | Cu6[Cu4Hg2]Sb4Se13 |
| Tennantite | Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13 |
| Tetrahedrite | Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]Sb4S13 |
| 2.GB.05 | Freibergite | Ag6Cu4Fe2Sb4S13-x |
| 2.GB.05 | Giraudite | Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4Se13 |
| 2.GB.05 | Goldfieldite | Cu10Te4S13 |
| 2.GB.05 | Hakite | Cu10Hg2Sb4Se13 |
| 2.GB.05 | Tennantite | Cu12As4S13 |
| 2.GB.05 | Tetrahedrite | Cu12Sb4S13 |
| 2.GB.10 | Selenostephanite | Ag5Sb(Se,S)4 |
| 2.GB.10 | Stephanite | Ag5SbS4 |
| 2.GB.15 | Pearceite | [Ag9CuS4][(Ag,Cu)6(As,Sb)2S7] |
| 2.GB.15 | Polybasite | Cu(Ag,Cu)6Ag9Sb2S11 |
| 2.GB.15 | UM2003-14-S:AgBiFeTe | Ag16FeBiTe3S8 |
| 2.GB.15 | Selenopolybasite | Cu(Ag,Cu)6Ag9Sb2(S,Se)9Se2 |
| 2.GB.15 | Cupropearceite | [Cu6As2S7][Ag9CuS4] |
| 2.GB.15 | Cupropolybasite | [Cu6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4] |
| 2.GB.15 | UM1979-17-S:BiCuFe | ~Cu18Fe4BiS16 |
| 2.GB.20 | Galkhaite | (Hg5Cu)CsAs4S12 |
| 5.2.1 | Smithite | AgAsS2 |
| 5.2.2 | Trechmannite | AgAsS2 |
| 5.2.3 | Proustite | Ag3AsS3 |
| 5.2.4 | Xanthoconite | Ag3AsS3 |
| 5.2.5 | Pearceite | [Ag9CuS4][(Ag,Cu)6(As,Sb)2S7] |
| 5.2.6 | Pearceite-T2ac | |
| 5.2.8 | Miargyrite | AgSbS2 |
| 5.2.9 | Pyrargyrite | Ag3SbS3 |
| 5.2.10 | Pyrostilpnite | Ag3SbS3 |
| 5.2.11 | Stephanite | Ag5SbS4 |
| 5.2.12 | Polybasite | Cu(Ag,Cu)6Ag9Sb2S11 |
| 5.2.13 | Billingsleyite | Ag7AsS6 |
| 5.2.14 | Polybasite-Tac | |
| 5.2.15 | Freibergite | Ag6Cu4Fe2Sb4S13-x |
| 5.2.16 | Aramayoite | Ag3Sb2(Bi,Sb)S6 |
| 5.2.17 | Matildite | AgBiS2 |
| 5.2.18 | Schapbachite | Ag0.4Pb0.2Bi0.4S |
| 5.2.19 | Pavonite | AgBi3S5 |
| 5.2.20 | Arcubisite | Ag6CuBiS4 |
| 5.2.21 | Bohdanowiczite | AgBiSe2 |
| 5.2.22 | Selenostephanite | Ag5Sb(Se,S)4 |
| 5.2.23 | Benleonardite | Ag15Cu(Sb,As)2S7Te4 |
| 5.2.24 | Volynskite | AgBiTe2 |
Other Names for Argentotennantite
Name in Other Languages:
German:Argentotennantit
Spanish:Argentotennantita
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:
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]
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
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Localities for Argentotennantite
This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 
symbol to view information about a locality.
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(TL) indicates type locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) indicates first recorded locality for everything else. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
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 | |
| 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) |
USA | |
| Josef Vajdak (2008) Mineral News, 24, #3, 15. |
Bessie G Mine, La Plata District, La Plata Co., Colorado, USA