Algodonite is a copper arsenide mineral with formula: Cu6As. It is a gray white metallic mineral crystallizing in the hexagonal system. It has a Mohs hardness of 4 and a specific gravity of 8.38 – 8.72.
Algodonite | |
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General | |
Category | Sulfide mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) | Cu6As |
IMA symbol | Ago[1] |
Strunz classification | 2.AA.10a |
Crystal system | Hexagonal |
Crystal class | Dihexagonal dipyramidal (6/mmm) H-M symbol: (6/m 2/m 2/m) |
Space group | P63/mmc |
Unit cell | a = 2.6, c = 4.228 [Å]; Z = 2 |
Identification | |
Formula mass | 456.2 g/mol |
Color | Gray, silver white, steel gray, tarnishes dull bronze |
Crystal habit | Massive, granular. Common texture observed in granite and other igneous rock |
Fracture | Sub-conchoidal |
Mohs scale hardness | 4 |
Luster | Metallic |
Diaphaneity | Opaque |
Specific gravity | 8.38 (measured), 8.72 (calculated) |
Other characteristics | Non-magnetic, non-fluorescent |
References | [2][3][4] |
It was first described in 1857 from the Algodones silver mine, Coquimbo, Chile.
References
edit- ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
- ^ Algodonite. Webmineral
- ^ Algodonite. Mindat.org
- ^ Williams, Sidney A. (1963). "Crystals of rammelsbergite and algodonite". American Mineralogist. 48: 421–422.