Guanajuatite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Guanajuatite
Formula:
Bi2Se3
Se may be replaced by minor S.
Colour:
Bluish gray
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
6.25 - 6.98
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
From the type locality near Guanajuato, Mexico.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
The Se (or selenide) analogue of bismuthinite.
Easily distinguishable from the more common (in Guanajuato) paraguanajuatite if macroscopic as the latter has platy/foliated aggregates with perfect cleavage whereas guanajuatite resembles minerals of the stibnite group.
Compare 'UM1987-16-Se:BiPbTe'.
Easily distinguishable from the more common (in Guanajuato) paraguanajuatite if macroscopic as the latter has platy/foliated aggregates with perfect cleavage whereas guanajuatite resembles minerals of the stibnite group.
Compare 'UM1987-16-Se:BiPbTe'.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1761
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1761:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
821e74e8-9507-436b-af14-4554a6b283af
IMA Classification of Guanajuatite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Guanajuatite
2.DB.05
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
D : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 3 :4 and 2:3
B : M:S = 2:3
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
D : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 3 :4 and 2:3
B : M:S = 2:3
2.11.2.4
2 : SULFIDES
11 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 2:3
2 : SULFIDES
11 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 2:3
3.7.19
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
7 : Sulphides etc. of V, As, Sb and Bi
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
7 : Sulphides etc. of V, As, Sb and Bi
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gj | 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 Guanajuatite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Bluish gray
Streak:
Shiny gray
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN10=53 - 82 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Sectile
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct {010}
indistinct {001}
Distinct {010}
indistinct {001}
Density:
6.25 - 6.98 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.54 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Guanajuatite
Anisotropism:
Strong
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 41.2% | 51.8% |
| 420nm | 41.8% | 51.8% |
| 440nm | 42.3% | 51.9% |
| 460nm | 42.8% | 51.9% |
| 480nm | 43.3% | 52.0% |
| 500nm | 43.3% | 52.0% |
| 520nm | 43.3% | 52.0% |
| 540nm | 43.1% | 52.0% |
| 560nm | 42.9% | 52.0% |
| 580nm | 42.7% | 52.2% |
| 600nm | 42.4% | 52.2% |
| 620nm | 42.2% | 52.1% |
| 640nm | 41.9% | 51.9% |
| 660nm | 41.5% | 51.6% |
| 680nm | 41.2% | 51.2% |
| 700nm | 40.8% | 50.7% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 52.2%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
White with yellowish hue
Pleochroism:
Visible
Chemistry of Guanajuatite
Mindat Formula:
Bi2Se3
Se may be replaced by minor S.
Se may be replaced by minor S.
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
S
Crystallography of Guanajuatite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Setting:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.37 Å, b = 11.55 Å, c = 4.054 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.984 : 1 : 0.351
Unit Cell V:
532.39 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Acicular crystals, massive (granular, foliated, fibrous)
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0008969 | Guanajuatite | Caracas R, Gonze X (2005) First-principles study of the electronic properties of A2B3 minerals, with A=Bi,Sb and B=S,Se Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 32 295-300 | 2005 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0014181 | Guanajuatite | Atabaeva E Y, Mashkov S A, Popova S V (1973) The crystal structure of a new modification of Bi2Se3-II Kristallografiya 18 173-174 | 1973 | Guanajuato, Mexico | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.19 Å | (100) |
| 3.65 Å | (90) |
| 1.989 Å | (70) |
| 2.88 Å | (60) |
| 2.58 Å | (50) |
| 2.31 Å | (50) |
| 5.16 Å | (40) |
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]) |
Geological Setting:
Low to moderate temperature hydrothermal deposits.
Type Occurrence of Guanajuatite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type specimen.
Synonyms of Guanajuatite
Other Language Names for Guanajuatite
Relationship of Guanajuatite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Antimonselite | Sb2Se3 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
| Bismuthinite | Bi2S3 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
| Stibnite | Sb2S3 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Guanajuatite associated with Bohdanowiczite | AgBiSe2 |
| 4 photos of Guanajuatite associated with Naumannite | Ag2Se |
| 1 photo of Guanajuatite associated with Kalungaite | PdAsSe |
| 1 photo of Guanajuatite associated with Gold | Au |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.DB. | Stangersite | SnGeS3 |
| 2.DB.05 | Antimonselite | Sb2Se3 |
| 2.DB.05 | Bismuthinite | Bi2S3 |
| 2.DB.05 | Metastibnite | Sb2S3 |
| 2.DB.05 | Pääkkönenite | Sb2AsS2 |
| 2.DB.05 | Stibnite | Sb2S3 |
| 2.DB.10 | Ottemannite | Sn2S3 |
| 2.DB.10 | Suredaite | PbSnS3 |
| 2.DB.15 | Bowieite | Rh2S3 |
| 2.DB.15 | Kashinite | Ir2S3 |
| 2.DB.20 | Montbrayite | (Au,Ag,Sb,Bi,Pb)23(Te,Sb,Bi,Pb)38 |
| 2.DB.25 | Edgarite | FeNb3S6 |
| 2.DB.30 | Tarkianite | (Cu,Fe)(Re,Mo)4S8 |
| 2.DB.35 | Cameronite | Cu5-x(Cu,Ag)3+xTe10 (x = 0.43) |
| 2.DB.40 | Schreibersite (of Shephard) | Cr2S3 |
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 Guanajuatite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1761.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Guanajuatite
Reference List:
Earley, J. W. (1950) Description and synthesis of the selenide minerals. American Mineralogist, 35 (5-6) 337-364
Localities for Guanajuatite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Gilligan et al. (1995) |
| Gilligan et al. (1995) | |
| Gilligan et al. (1995) | |
| Gilligan et al. (1995) | |
| Gilligan et al. (1995) | |
| Gilligan et al. (1995) | |
| Econ Geol (1997) |
| Sorrell (n.d.) |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch (2015) |
Brazil | |
| Botelho et al. (2006) |
Bulgaria | |
| Lips (2006) |
Canada | |
| Tyson (1989) |
| B. J. Kieller (1965) | |
| Charles Normand (2016) |
Chile | |
| Gröpper et al. (1991) |
France | |
| F. Boyer and P.Picot : "Sur la Présence de Maldonite (Au2Bi) |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) +1 other reference |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Seeliger et al. (1965) +1 other reference |
| Weiß (1990) +1 other reference |
| Koch (2008) +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
Mexico | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Earley (1950) +1 other reference |
| Parker (2010) |
Romania | |
| minerals-of-the-carpathians.eu (2008) |
Russia | |
| Sidorov +5 other references |
| Tolstykh et al. (2017) +1 other reference | |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Goryachev et al. (2014) | |
| Rodionov et al. (2007) |
| American Mineralogist |
| maurice.strahlen.org (2004) |
| Vikent'eva et al. (2016, April) |
Sweden | |
| Scherbina (1941) |
| |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
USA | |
| Stolburg (1984) |
| Hall (1958) +2 other references |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
| Ream (1995) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
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Santa Catarina Mine, Rancho Calvillo, Santa Rosa, Sierra de Santa Rosa, Guanajuato Municipality, Guanajuato, Mexico