Algodonite Explained

Algodonite
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Category:	Sulfide mineral
Formula:	Cu6As
Imasymbol:	Ago^[1]
Molweight:	456.2 g/mol
Strunz:	2.AA.10a
System:	Hexagonal
Class:	Dihexagonal dipyramidal (6/mmm) H-M symbol: (6/m 2/m 2/m)
Symmetry:	P63/mmc
Unit Cell:	a = 2.6, c = 4.228 [Å]; Z = 2
Color:	Gray, silver white, steel gray, tarnishes dull bronze
Habit:	Massive, granular. Common texture observed in granite and other igneous rock
Fracture:	Sub-conchoidal
Mohs:	4
Luster:	Metallic
Diaphaneity:	Opaque
Gravity:	8.38 (measured), 8.72 (calculated)
Other:	Non-magnetic, non-fluorescent
References:	^[2] ^[3] ^[4]

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.

It was first described in 1857 from the Algodones silver mine, Coquimbo, Chile.

Notes and References

1. Warr. L.N.. 2021. IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine. 85. 3. 291–320. 10.1180/mgm.2021.43. 2021MinM...85..291W. 235729616. free.
2. http://webmineral.com/data/Algodonite.shtml Algodonite
3. http://www.mindat.org/min-114.html Algodonite
4. Crystals of rammelsbergite and algodonite. Williams, Sidney A. . 1963. American Mineralogist. 48. 421–422.