Hessite Explained

Hessite
Category:Sulfide minerals
Formula:Ag2Te
Imasymbol:Hes[1]
Strunz:2.BA.30c
System:Monoclinic
Class:Prismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Symmetry:P21/c
Unit Cell:a = 8.13, b = 4.48
c = 8.09 [Å]; β = 112.9°; Z = 4
Color:Lead-grey, steel-grey
Cleavage:Indistinct on
Tenacity:Sectile
Mohs:2–3
Luster:Metallic
Streak:black
Diaphaneity:Opaque
Gravity:8.24 – 8.45
Opticalprop:Anisotropic
References:[2] [3]

Hessite is a mineral form of disilver telluride (Ag2Te). It is a soft, dark grey telluride mineral which forms monoclinic crystals.

It is named after Germain Henri Hess (1802–1850).

Hessite is found in the US in Eagle County, Colorado and in Calaveras County, California and in many other locations.

Stützite (Ag7Te4) and empressite (AgTe) are related silver telluride minerals.

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/Hessite.shtml Webmineral
  3. http://www.mindat.org/min-1881.html Mindat.org