Algodonite

Algodonite

Algodonite - Houghton County, Michigan, USA
General
Category Sulfide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Cu6As
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 [1][2][3]
Mohawkite nugget, a mixture of domeykite, algodonite and copper

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.

References

  1. Algodonite. Webmineral
  2. Algodonite. Mindat.org
  3. Williams, Sidney A. (1963). "Crystals of rammelsbergite and algodonite". American Mineralogist. 48: 421–422.
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