Argentopyrite Explained

Argentopyrite
Category:Sulfide mineral
Imasymbol:Agpy[1]
Strunz:2.CB.65
System:Monoclinic
Class:Prismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Symmetry:P1121/n
Color:Bronze-brown or gray-white; iridescent (many colors)
Habit:Tabular prisms, pseudohexagonal or pseudo-orthorhombic, possibly pyramidally-terminated
Fracture:Uneven
Tenacity:Brittle
Mohs:3.5-4
Luster:Metallic
Streak:Grey
Diaphaneity:Opaque
Density:4.25-4.27
References:[2] [3] [4]

Argentopyrite is a moderately rare sulfide mineral with the chemical formula . It is one of the natural compounds of the type, with M being caesium in very rare pautovite, copper in relatively common cubanite, potassium in rare rasvumite and thallium in rare picotpaulite. The type locality is Jáchymov in Czech Republic. Chemically similar mineral include sternbergite (dimorphous with argentopyrite), lenaite,, and argentopentlandite, .

Crystal structure

Although previously assumed orthorhombic,[5] argentopyrite was later shown to be monoclinic, with structural relationship to cubanite. The most important feature of the argentopyrite structure are:[6]

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. Web site: Argentopyrite - Argentopyrite: Argentopyrite mineral information and data . 2016-03-07.
  3. Web site: Argentopyrite . 2016-03-07.
  4. https://www.mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/MineralData?mineral=Argentopyrite Mineralienatlas
  5. Murdoch, J., and Berry, L.G., 1954. X-ray measurements on argentopyrite. American Mineralogist 39, 475-485
  6. Yang, H., Pinch, W.W., and Downs, R.T., Crystal structure of argentopyrite,, and its relationship with cubanite. American Mineralogist 94, 1727-1730