Ferdowsiite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Ferdowsiite
Formula:
Ag8(Sb5As3)S16
A Pb-bearing variety was also described (Makovicky et al., 2013).
Colour:
Greyish black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
5.3 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
The name is for one of the greatest Persian personalities, Ferdowsi Tousi (935–1020), one of the greatest Persian poets to have ever lived. His life-long endeavor to preserve the national identity, language and heritage of his homeland, especially through one of the greatest poetic masterpieces, the Shahnameh, won him lasting fame and honor.
Superstructure of PbS.
Member of the group of ABX2-type sulfosalts of silver, combining antimony and arsenic, with a crystal structure different from other members of this group.
Related to sangenaroite and ~Sb5As3 analogue of the latter.
Member of the group of ABX2-type sulfosalts of silver, combining antimony and arsenic, with a crystal structure different from other members of this group.
Related to sangenaroite and ~Sb5As3 analogue of the latter.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
43594
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:43594:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
01a8b78f-51bb-43d6-9447-c1b48539e4ea
IMA Classification of Ferdowsiite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ag8(Sb5As3)S16
First published:
2013
Classification of Ferdowsiite
2.JA.
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
J : Sulfosalts of PbS archetype
A : Galena derivatives with little or no Pb
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
J : Sulfosalts of PbS archetype
A : Galena derivatives with little or no Pb
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Fdw | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Ferdowsiite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Greyish black
Streak:
Dark grey
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Comment:
estimated
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Parting:
None observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
5.3 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Could not be measured due to lack of material.
Optical Data of Ferdowsiite
Anisotropism:
Distinct in air, and further enhanced in oil. Rotation tints vary between dark brown and bluish grey
Bireflectance:
Distinct
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
---|---|---|
400nm | 32.3% | 37.4% |
420nm | 36.1% | 38.5% |
440nm | 35.7% | 37.8% |
460nm | 35.1% | 37.3% |
470nm | 34.9% | 37.3% |
480nm | 34.9% | 37.4% |
500nm | 34.3% | 37.1% |
520nm | 34.1% | 36.7% |
540nm | 33.5% | 36.3% |
546nm | 33.4% | 35.9% |
560nm | 33.3% | 35.9% |
580nm | 32.4% | 35.3% |
589nm | 32.4% | 35.1% |
600nm | 32.3% | 35.1% |
620nm | 31.8% | 34.4% |
640nm | 31.0% | 33.8% |
650nm | 30.7% | 33.5% |
660nm | 30.4% | 33.0% |
680nm | 29.8% | 32.6% |
700nm | 29.2% | 31.9% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 38.5%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Greyish white
Internal Reflections:
Not observable
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Distinct, white to grey
Chemistry of Ferdowsiite
Mindat Formula:
Ag8(Sb5As3)S16
A Pb-bearing variety was also described (Makovicky et al., 2013).
A Pb-bearing variety was also described (Makovicky et al., 2013).
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Ferdowsiite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.677(2) Å, b = 5.799(1) Å, c = 13.839(3) Å
β = 96.175(4)°
β = 96.175(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.496 : 1 : 2.386
Unit Cell V:
692.28 ų
Z:
1
Morphology:
Elongated crystals
Comment:
P21/n
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.225 Å | (96) |
3.205 Å | (100) |
2.900 Å | (78) |
2.750 Å | (90) |
2.707 Å | (73) |
1.998 Å | (41) |
1.979 Å | (39) |
1.940 Å | (22) |
Comments:
From 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 Ferdowsiite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Associated with large corroded crystals of arsenquatrandorite and is partly replaced by guettardite. It also corrodes smithite. Often associated with tetrahedrite/tennantite and forms worm-like symplectites with it.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Department of Materials Engineering and Physics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria, specimen number 15006.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit of Cretaceous age, situated in the metamorphic Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone. Greenschist metamorphism and deformation in shear zones overprint the original synvolcanic stratiform mineralization.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Makovicky, E., Topa, D., Tajeddin, H., Putz, H., Zagler, G. (2013): Ferdowsiite: A new mineral from the Barika Ore Deposit, Iran. The Canadian Mineralogist, 51, 727-734.
Synonyms of Ferdowsiite
Varieties of Ferdowsiite
Lead-bearing Ferdowsiite | A lead-bearing variety of ferdowsiite. |
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
2.JA. | Sangenaroite | Ag8(Sb8-xAsx)SΣ16 |
2.JA. | Luboržákite | Mn2AsSbS5 |
2.JA.05e | Benjaminite | Ag3Bi7S12 |
2.JA.05g | Borodaevite | Ag5(Bi,Pb,Fe)8(Sb,Bi)2S17 |
2.JA.05a | Cupropavonite | Cu0.9Ag0.5Pb0.6Bi2.5S5 |
2.JA.05i | Livingstonite | HgSb4S6(S2) |
2.JA.05d | Makovickyite | Cu1.12Ag0.81Pb0.27Bi5.35S9 |
2.JA.05f | Mummeite | Cu0.58Ag3.11Pb1.10Bi6.65S13 |
2.JA.05a | Pavonite | AgBi3S5 |
2.JA.05b | Grumiplucite | HgBi2S4 |
2.JA.05h | Mozgovaite | PbBi4S7 |
2.JA.05d | Cupromakovickyite | Cu4AgPb2Bi9S18 |
2.JA.05c | Kudriavite | (Cd,Pb)Bi2S4 |
2.JA.05a | Cupromakopavonite | Ag3Cu8Pb4Bi19S38 |
2.JA.05 | Dantopaite | Ag5Bi13S22 |
2.JA.05 | Selenodantopaite | Ag5Bi13Se22 |
2.JA.10a | Cuprobismutite | Cu8AgBi13S24 |
2.JA.10c | Hodrušite | Cu8Bi12S22 |
2.JA.10e | Padĕraite | Cu7[(Cu,Ag)0.33Pb1.33Bi11.33]S22 |
2.JA.10d | Pizgrischite | (Cu,Fe)Cu14PbBi17S35 |
2.JA.10b | Kupčíkite | Cu3.4Fe0.6Bi5S10 |
2.JA.15 | Schapbachite | Ag0.4Pb0.2Bi0.4S |
2.JA.15 | Cuboargyrite | AgSbS2 |
2.JA.20 | Bohdanowiczite | AgBiSe2 |
2.JA.20 | Matildite | AgBiS2 |
2.JA.20 | Volynskite | AgBiTe2 |
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 Ferdowsiite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-43594.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
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References for Ferdowsiite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2013) IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification. CNMNC Newsletter No. 15. Mineralogical Magazine, 77 (1) 1-12 doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.1.01
Makovicky, Emil, Topa, Dan, Tajeddin, Husein, Putz, Hubert, Zagler, Georg (2013) Ferdowsiite: a new mineral from the Barika ore deposit, Iran. The Canadian Mineralogist, 51 (5) 727-734 doi:10.3749/canmin.51.5.727
Localities for Ferdowsiite
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.
Iran (TL) | |
| Williams et al. (2013) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Biagioni et al. (2017) |
Peru | |
| In the collection of Brent Thorne. ... |
Spain | |
| Rewitzer et al. (part2) |
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