Semseyite Explained

Semseyite
Category:Sulfosalt mineral
Formula:Pb9 Sb 8 S21
Imasymbol:Ssy[1]
Strunz:2.HC.10d
System:Monoclinic
Class:Prismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Symmetry:C2/c
Unit Cell:a = 13.64 Å, b = 11.96 Å
c = 24.46 Å; β = 105.87°; Z = 4
Color:Dark gray to black
Habit:Tabular, elongated prismatic crystals, commonly twisted; rosettelike groups
Cleavage:Perfect on
Tenacity:Brittle
Mohs:2.5
Luster:Metallic
Diaphaneity:opaque
Gravity:6.15
References:[2] [3] [4]

Semseyite is a rarely occurring sulfosalt mineral and is part of the class of lead antimony sulfides. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system with the chemical composition Pb9Sb8S21. The mineral forms dark gray to black aggregates.

Etymology and history

Semseyite was first described for an occurrence in the Felsöbánya mine in Baia Sprie, Romania in 1881 by József Sándor Krenner (1839–1920). The mineral was named after Hungarian mineralogist Andor von Semsey (1833–1923).

Occurrence

Semseyite forms in hydrothermal solutions at temperatures between 300 and 350 °C.[5] It occurs in association with bournonite, jamesonite, sphalerite, zinkenite, sorbyite, guettardite, jordanite, diaphorite, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite, arsenopyrite and siderite.[2]

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://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/semseyite.pdf Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. http://www.mindat.org/min-3616.html Mindat
  4. http://webmineral.com/data/Semseyite.shtml Webmineral data
  5. http://www.geologie.uni-halle.de/igw/mingeo/Exkursion/herja.htm Andreas Kamrath: “Geology and mineralogy of ore stores Herja”