Mawsonite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Mawsonite
Formula:
Cu6Fe2SnS8
Colour:
Brownish orange
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.65 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
For Sir Douglas Mawson (5 May 1882, Shipley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England - 14 October 1958, Brighton, South Australia, Australia), geologist, professor at the University of Adelaide, and Antarctic explorer. He was part of the first team to reach to south magnetic pole.
This page provides mineralogical data about Mawsonite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2604
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2604:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
52abe50d-7e17-4beb-9802-d2fbb1210422
IMA Classification of Mawsonite
Approved
First published:
1965
Classification of Mawsonite
2.CB.20
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
B : With Zn, Fe, Cu, Ag, etc.
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
B : With Zn, Fe, Cu, Ag, etc.
2.9.3.1
2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
6.1.8
6 : Sulphosalts - Sulphostannates, Sulphogermanates,Sulpharsenates, Sulphantimonates, Sulphovanadates and Sulphohalides
1 : Sulphostannates and other sulfides containing Sn
6 : Sulphosalts - Sulphostannates, Sulphogermanates,Sulpharsenates, Sulphantimonates, Sulphovanadates and Sulphohalides
1 : Sulphostannates and other sulfides containing Sn
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Maw | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Maw | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Mawsonite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Brownish orange
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
2 imperfect at right angles.
2 imperfect at right angles.
Density:
4.65 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Mawsonite
Anisotropism:
Very strong - Bright straw yellow to royal blue
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
---|---|---|
400nm | 15.0% | 19.0% |
440nm | 17.1% | 21.0% |
480nm | 20.3% | 23.1% |
520nm | 25.0% | 25.3% |
560nm | 31.2% | 27.4% |
600nm | 36.4% | 29.6% |
640nm | 39.9% | 32.0% |
680nm | 41.4% | 33.8% |
700nm | 41.6% | 34.4% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 41.6%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Brownish orange
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
Orange
Brown with slight orange tint
Brown with slight orange tint
Chemistry of Mawsonite
Mindat Formula:
Cu6Fe2SnS8
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Zn,Se
Crystallography of Mawsonite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4 2m - Scalenohedral
Space Group:
P4m2
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.603(2) Å, c = 5.358(1) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.705
Unit Cell V:
309.72 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Rounded to irregular inclusions in bornite.
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0005128 | Mawsonite | Szymanski J T (1976) The crystal structure of mawsonite, Cu6Fe2SnS8 The Canadian Mineralogist 14 529-535 | 1976 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.09 Å | (100) |
1.895 Å | (80) |
1.618 Å | (60) |
2.680 Å | (50) |
1.063 Å | (50) |
1.232 Å | (30) |
5.37 Å | (20) |
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 Mawsonite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
Rounded to irregular inclusions in bornite (from which it was exsolved).
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
1) The Australian Museum, Sydney, Australia, D48487.
2) The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1965,347.
3) Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
2) The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1965,347.
3) Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Massive to disseminated copper ores
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Markham, N.L., Lawrence, L.J. (1965) Mawsonite, a new copper-iron-tin sulfide form Mt. Lyell, Tasmania and Tingha, New South Wales. American Mineralogist: 50: 900-908.
Synonyms of Mawsonite
Other Language Names for Mawsonite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
22 photos of Mawsonite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
19 photos of Mawsonite associated with Stannoidite | Cu+6Cu2+2(Fe2+,Zn)3Sn2S12 |
17 photos of Mawsonite associated with Bornite | Cu5FeS4 |
8 photos of Mawsonite associated with Tennantite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S |
6 photos of Mawsonite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
4 photos of Mawsonite associated with Chalcocite | Cu2S |
4 photos of Mawsonite associated with Nukundamite | Cu3.33Fe0.66S4 |
4 photos of Mawsonite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
4 photos of Mawsonite associated with Cassiterite | SnO2 |
3 photos of Mawsonite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
2.CB. | Agmantinite | Ag2MnSnS4 |
2.CB. | Richardsite | Zn2CuGaS4 |
2.CB. | Gachingite | Au(Te1-xSex) |
2.CB. | Tolstykhite | Au3S4Te6 |
2.CB. | Hanswilkeite | KFeS2 |
2.CB. | Auroselenide | AuSe |
2.CB. | Ruizhongite | (Ag2◻)Pb3Ge2S8 |
2.CB. | Okruginite | Cu2SnSe3 |
2.CB.05a | Coloradoite | HgTe |
2.CB.05a | Hawleyite | CdS |
2.CB.05a | Metacinnabar | HgS |
2.CB.05c | Polhemusite | (Zn,Hg)S |
2.CB.05b | Sakuraiite | (Cu,Zn,Fe)3(In,Sn)S4 |
2.CB.05a | Sphalerite | ZnS |
2.CB.05a | Stilleite | ZnSe |
2.CB.05a | Tiemannite | HgSe |
2.CB.05 | UM1998-15-S:CuFeZn | Cu2Fe3Zn5S10 |
2.CB.05a | Rudashevskyite | (Fe,Zn)S |
2.CB.05a | Ishiharaite | (Cu,Ga,Fe,In,Zn)S |
2.CB.07a | Shenzhuangite | NiFeS2 |
2.CB.07a | Unnamed (Cu-Mn-Sn Sulpide) | Cu2MnSnS4 |
2.CB.10a | Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
2.CB.10a | Eskebornite | CuFeSe2 |
2.CB.10a | Gallite | CuGaS2 |
2.CB.10b | Haycockite | Cu4Fe5S8 |
2.CB.10a | Lenaite | AgFeS2 |
2.CB.10b | Mooihoekite | Cu9Fe9S16 |
2.CB.10b | Putoranite | Cu1.1Fe1.2S2 |
2.CB.10a | Roquesite | CuInS2 |
2.CB.10b | Talnakhite | Cu9(Fe,Ni)8S16 |
2.CB.10a | Laforêtite | AgInS2 |
2.CB.10a | Unnamed (Cu-Zn-In Sulphide) | CuZn2InS4 |
2.CB.10a | UM1984-30-S:CuFeSn | Cu2Fe2Sn3S7 |
2.CB.10c | Omariniite | Cu8Fe2ZnGe2S12 |
2.CB.15a | Černýite | Cu2(Cd,Zn,Fe)SnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Ferrokësterite | Cu2FeSnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Hocartite | Ag2(Fe2+,Zn)SnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Idaite | Cu5FeS6 |
2.CB.15a | Kësterite | Cu2ZnSnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Kuramite | Cu3SnS4 |
2.CB.15b | Mohite | Cu2SnS3 |
2.CB.15a | Pirquitasite | Ag2ZnSnS4 |
2.CB.15a | Stannite | Cu2FeSnS4 |
2.CB.15c | Stannoidite | Cu+6Cu2+2(Fe2+,Zn)3Sn2S12 |
2.CB.15a | Velikite | Cu2HgSnS4 |
2.CB.15c | UM2006-11-S:CuFeGeZn | Cu8(Fe,Zn)3Ge2S12 (?) |
2.CB.17a v | Arsenic-bearing Renierite | Cu11GeAsFe4S16 |
2.CB.20 | Chatkalite | Cu6FeSn2S8 |
2.CB.30 | Argyropyrite | near Ag2Fe7S11 |
2.CB.30 | Colusite | Cu13VAs3S16 |
2.CB.30 | Germanite | Cu13Fe2Ge2S16 |
2.CB.30 | Germanocolusite | Cu26V2(Ge,As)6S32 |
2.CB.30 | Nekrasovite | Cu26V2(Sn,As,Sb)6S32 |
2.CB.30 | Stibiocolusite | Cu13V(Sb,Sn,As)3S16 |
2.CB.30 | Ovamboite | Cu20(Fe,Cu,Zn)6W2Ge6S32 |
2.CB.30 | Maikainite | Cu20(Fe,Cu)6Mo2Ge6S32 |
2.CB.30 | Frieseite | Ag2Fe5S8 (?) |
2.CB.35a | Hemusite | Cu6SnMoS8 |
2.CB.35a | Kiddcreekite | Cu6SnWS8 |
2.CB.35a | Polkovicite | (Fe,Pb)3(Ge,Fe)1-xS4 |
2.CB.35a | Renierite | (Cu1+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16 |
2.CB.35a | Vinciennite | Cu+7Cu2+3Fe2+2Fe3+2Sn(As,Sb)S16 |
2.CB.35a | Morozeviczite | (Pb,Fe)3Ge1-xS4 |
2.CB.35b | Catamarcaite | Cu6GeWS8 |
2.CB.40 | Lautite | CuAsS |
2.CB.42 | Lingbaoite | AgTe3 |
2.CB.45 | Cadmoselite | CdSe |
2.CB.45 | Greenockite | CdS |
2.CB.45 | Wurtzite | (Zn,Fe)S |
2.CB.45 | Rambergite | MnS |
2.CB.45 | Buseckite | (Fe,Zn,Mn)S |
2.CB.45 | Maletoyvayamite | Au3Se4Te6 |
2.CB.47 | Murchisite | Cr5S6 |
2.CB.50 | Zincselenide | ZnSe |
2.CB.50 | Wassonite | TiS |
2.CB.52 | Dzhezkazganite | ReMoCu2PbS6 ? |
2.CB.55a | Cubanite | CuFe2S3 |
2.CB.55b | Isocubanite | CuFe2S3 |
2.CB.60 | Picotpaulite | TlFe2S3 |
2.CB.60 | Raguinite | TlFeS2 |
2.CB.65 | Argentopyrite | AgFe2S3 |
2.CB.65 | Sternbergite | AgFe2S3 |
2.CB.70 | Sulvanite | Cu3VS4 |
2.CB.75 | Vulcanite | CuTe |
2.CB.80 | Empressite | AgTe |
2.CB.85 | Muthmannite | AuAgTe2 |
Other Information
Magnetism:
Ferromagnetic
Notes:
Negative to the following etch reagents: 1:1 HNO3, 1:1 HCl, NaCN, KOH, HgCl2 and FeCla.
NaCN produces a verv slight darkening of certain mawsonite grains.
NaCN produces a verv slight darkening of certain mawsonite grains.
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 Mawsonite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2604.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Mawsonite
Reference List:
Localities for Mawsonite
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.
Argentina | |
| DE BRODTKORB +2 other references |
PUTZ +1 other reference | |
PUTZ +2 other references | |
Marquez-Zavalia et al. (2020) | |
| Brotkorb (2002) |
| Brodtkorb (2002) |
| DE BRODTKORB +2 other references |
Australia (TL) | |
| Markham et al. (1965) +1 other reference |
| Lehrmann (2012) |
| AM 1965 +1 other reference |
R Bottrill | |
Anthony et al. (2016) | |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
Bottrill et al. (2008) | |
AGSO Research Newsletter May 2000 | |
Austria | |
| Paar et al. (1982) +1 other reference |
| Hackenberg 2003 |
Hackenberg (2003) | |
| R.Poeverlein (2016) |
| R.Poeverlein (2016) |
R.Poeverlein (2016) | |
Paar et al. (1985) +1 other reference | |
R.Poeverlein (2016) | |
Leblhuber (2000) | |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Vavtar (1986) |
Bolivia | |
| Mineralogical Magazine 1968 36 : ... +1 other reference |
Bulgaria | |
| Bonev +4 other references |
Canada | |
| Singer et al. (2008) |
| Parrish (1977) +2 other references |
| Larry Pilgrim (2009) |
a preserved late Proterozoic high-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit and its implications for exploration. Economic Geology (4) +1 other reference | |
| O'Reilly et al. (1982) |
| Thorpe et al. (1976) +2 other references |
| Ames et al. (TGI) |
| an example of a deformed et al. (6) +1 other reference |
Chile | |
| Singer et al. (2008) |
- (2003) | |
- (2003) | |
China | |
| Liu Wenyuan et al. (2014) |
Liu Wenyuan et al. (2014) | |
| Dianfen Chen et al. (1998) |
| Yingfu Zhao and Zengyao Lu (2004) |
| Xiangmei Ren (1990) |
| Dequan Zhang et al. (1991) |
| Ye et al. (1998) |
Czech Republic | |
| Ondruš et al. (2003) |
DR Congo | |
| Deliens (1996) |
France | |
| G. Aubert : "Les coupoles granitiques de Montebras et d'Echassières (Massif Central Français) |
| G. Aubert : "Les coupoles granitiques de Montebras et d'Echassières (Massif Central Français) |
| Cesbron et al. (1985) +1 other reference |
| Maurizot et al. (2020) |
| P. Picot +1 other reference |
| P. Cantinolle et al. +1 other reference |
| R. Pierrot +1 other reference |
Greece | |
| P. Voudouris et al. (2022) |
| Bonev et al. (2005) +2 other references |
Hungary | |
| Society of Economic Geologists Student Chapter University of Miskolc (2018) |
Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya | |
| |
Japan | |
| Canadian Mineralogist Vol. 25 et al. (1987) |
| Soeda et al. (1979) |
| Yuningsih et al. (2018) |
| Imai et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
| Yuningsih et al. (2018) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (2016) |
| Kato et al. (1969) +5 other references |
| Canadian Mineralogist Vol. 25 et al. (1987) |
| Mining Annual Review:1985:407. +3 other references |
| Kato et al. (1969) +2 other references |
| Anthony et al. (2016) |
| Soeda et al. (1978) |
SOEDA et al. (1982) | |
| Anthony et al. (2016) |
| Nagashima et al. (2016) |
Soeda et al. (1979) | |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pekov (1998) +2 other references |
Namibia | |
| Gramaccioli |
New Zealand | |
| Lilley |
North Macedonia | |
| Serafimovski et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
Norway | |
| Neumann (1985) |
| Neumann (1985) |
Papua New Guinea | |
| Espi et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
Peru | |
| Marcoux et al. (1994) |
| Gramaccioli |
| Bendezu et al. (2009) |
Poland | |
| Gołębiowska B. et al. (Ag) +1 other reference |
| Mochnacka et al. (2012) +1 other reference |
Mochnacka et al. (2012) | |
Portugal | |
| Pinto et al. (1994) +4 other references |
| Ing Soen Oen : "Paragenetic relations of some Cu-Fe-Sn-Sulfides in the Mangualde Pegmatite et al. (Berl.) |
Romania | |
| Cook et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
| Cook et al. (2001) +1 other reference |
Cook et al. (2003) | |
Mineralogical Magazine (3) | |
| Damian et al. (2023) |
Russia | |
| Plotinskaya et al. (2014) |
O. Plotinskaya data +1 other reference | |
| Maslennikov et al. (2013) +1 other reference |
| Tolstykh et al. (2021) |
| [Der Aufschluss 1995:4 p163-180] +2 other references |
| Spiridonov et al. (1992) +1 other reference |
| Fersman Mineraloical Museum Russian ... |
Fersman Mineralogical Museum | |
Terleev et al. (2014) +2 other references | |
| www.strahlen.org (2022) +1 other reference |
Serbia | |
| Cvetković (1991) |
South Korea | |
| IMAI et al. (1984) +3 other references |
Spain | |
| Revista de minerales (Mars) |
Pascua et al. (1997) | |
Sweden | |
| Pieslinger (2023) |
| Dobbe (1991) |
Dobbe (1991) | |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
| Ansermet (2012) |
Turkey | |
| ÇAĞATAY et al. (1990) |
ÇAĞATAY et al. (1990) | |
UK | |
| Dr. Kurt Greenwall collection (Dr. Werner H. Paar analyses) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
Graeme (1993) +2 other references | |
| Gustafson (1961) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Gasparrini et al. (1985) |
| Gammons et al. (2016) |
| Brodbeck et al. (2022) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Kovalenker (2003) |
Anthony et al. (1990) +2 other references |
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Hingston Down Quarry, Gunnislake, Calstock, Cornwall, England, UK