Balkanite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Balkanite
Formula:
Cu9Ag5HgS8
alternatively (Cu9âxMe2+x)Ag5âxHgS8 (x = 0.3) (Biagioni & Bindi, 2017)
Colour:
Steel Grey
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
6.318
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For the medieval and popular name of the Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains), the type locality.
Compare danielsite.
Balkanite's structure is not layered, but may be desribed by (1) alternation (along a) of Cu-rich and Ag-rich layers or (2) as the one based on two alternating atomic (010) layers: [Cu4Ag3HgS4]+ and [Cu5Ag2S4]â, or (3) alternation of two polyhedral layers: [Cu7Ag3S4]2+ and [Cu2Ag2HgS4]2â. Coordination of Hg is linear, Ag - tetrahedral or a distorted octahedral, and that of Cu - linear or planar triangular.
Balkanite's structure is not layered, but may be desribed by (1) alternation (along a) of Cu-rich and Ag-rich layers or (2) as the one based on two alternating atomic (010) layers: [Cu4Ag3HgS4]+ and [Cu5Ag2S4]â, or (3) alternation of two polyhedral layers: [Cu7Ag3S4]2+ and [Cu2Ag2HgS4]2â. Coordination of Hg is linear, Ag - tetrahedral or a distorted octahedral, and that of Cu - linear or planar triangular.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
496
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:496:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
14879f3d-1a10-4fc6-bbd5-f8ce0f737b28
IMA Classification of Balkanite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ag5Cu9HgS8
Classification of Balkanite
2.BD.15
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
D : With Hg, Tl
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
D : With Hg, Tl
2.16.7.1
2 : SULFIDES
16 : Miscellaneous
2 : SULFIDES
16 : Miscellaneous
3.5.6
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
5 : Sulphides etc. of Hg and Tl
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
5 : Sulphides etc. of Hg and Tl
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Bkn | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Balkanite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Steel Grey
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=79.4 - 91.6 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Density:
6.318 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.421 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured on synthetic material
Optical Data of Balkanite
Anisotropism:
Strong
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
|---|---|---|
| 440nm | 35.4% | 30.6% |
| 460nm | 35.6% | 31.0% |
| 480nm | 35.4% | 31.0% |
| 500nm | 35.0% | 30.2% |
| 520nm | 34.0% | 28.9% |
| 540nm | 34.0% | 28.0% |
| 560nm | 33.4% | 27.2% |
| 580nm | 32.8% | 26.5% |
| 600nm | 32.4% | 26.0% |
| 620nm | 32.1% | 25.6% |
| 640nm | 31.8% | 25.1% |
| 660nm | 31.5% | 24.9% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 35.6%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
White-grey
Chemistry of Balkanite
Mindat Formula:
Cu9Ag5HgS8
alternatively (Cu9âxMe2+x)Ag5âxHgS8 (x = 0.3) (Biagioni & Bindi, 2017)
alternatively (Cu9âxMe2+x)Ag5âxHgS8 (x = 0.3) (Biagioni & Bindi, 2017)
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Balkanite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/m
Setting:
P2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.5539(11) Å, b = 3.9150(4) Å, c = 10.6424(12) Å
β = 90.047(9)°
β = 90.047(9)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.44 : 1 : 2.718
Unit Cell V:
398.06 Ă
Âł
Morphology:
Rod-like prismatic crystals.
Twinning:
Lamellar in several directions
Comment:
Pseudo-orthorhombic. Originall assumed to be orthorhombic, with space group P222, Pmm2 or Pmmm.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.09 Ă | (7) |
| 2.98 Ă | (10) |
| 2.61 Ă | (8) |
| 2.55 Ă | (10) |
| 2.45 Ă | (8) |
| 1.985 Ă | (8) |
| 1.955 Ă | (9) |
Comments:
Sedmochislenitsi deposit, Bulgaria.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-đ alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Type Occurrence of Balkanite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical Museum of the Higher Institute of Mining and Geology, 619; Museum of the University of Sofia âKliment Ohridskyâ, Sofia, 1351; National Museum of Natural History, Sofia, Bulgaria, 2339.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
High-grade copper ores in stratiform deposit.
Synonyms of Balkanite
Other Language Names for Balkanite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Balkanite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 2 photos of Balkanite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 2 photos of Balkanite associated with Stromeyerite | AgCuS |
| 2 photos of Balkanite associated with Mckinstryite | Ag5-xCu3+xS4 |
| 2 photos of Balkanite associated with Plumbogummite | PbAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 1 photo of Balkanite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.BD. | UM2004-33-S:AgCuHgSe | (Ag,Cu)8Hg3(S,Se)7 |
| 2.BD. | VranÄiceite | Cu10Hg3S8 |
| 2.BD.05 | Imiterite | Ag2HgS2 |
| 2.BD.10 | Gortdrumite | Cu24Fe2Hg9S23 |
| 2.BD.15 | Danielsite | (Cu,Ag)14HgS8 |
| 2.BD.20 | Donharrisite | Ni3HgS3 |
| 2.BD.25 | Carlinite | Tl2S |
| 2.BD.30 | Bukovite | (Cu3Fe)ÎŁ4Tl2Se4 |
| 2.BD.30 | Murunskite | K2(Cu,Fe)4S4 |
| 2.BD.30 | Thalcusite | Tl2Cu3FeS4 |
| 2.BD.35 | Rohaite | (Tl,Pb,K)2Cu8.7Sb2S4 |
| 2.BD.40 | Chalcothallite | Tl2(Cu,Fe)6SbS4 |
| 2.BD.45 | Sabatierite | TlCu6Se4 |
| 2.BD.50 | Crookesite | Cu7(Tl, Ag)Se4 |
| 2.BD.55 | Brodtkorbite | Cu2HgSe2 |
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 Balkanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-496.html
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External Links:
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References for Balkanite
Reference List:
Localities for Balkanite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
â - 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 | |
| Analysed at Australian Museum |
Austria | |
| Paar et al. (1985) +1 other reference |
| CD with abstracts +3 other references |
Belgium | |
| perso.infonie.be (2004) |
Bulgaria (TL) | |
| ATANASSOVA +2 other references |
China | |
| Lin Niu (1994) |
Czech Republic | |
| SEJKORA et al. (2022) |
Italy | |
| Orlandi et al. (2005) |
Mexico | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Morocco | |
| D. Topa |
Poland | |
| KozĆowski et al. (2022) |
Russia | |
| Zaykov et al. (2017) |
| Novoselov et al. (2020) |
USA | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
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Manhattan Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA