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Algodonite

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Algodonite
Algodonite - Houghton County, Michigan, USA
General
CategorySulfide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Cu6As
Strunz classification2.AA.10a
Crystal systemHexagonal
Crystal classDihexagonal dipyramidal (6/mmm)
H-M symbol: (6/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupP63/mmc
Unit cella = 2.6, c = 4.228 [Å]; Z = 2
Identification
Formula mass456.2 g/mol
ColorGray, silver white, steel gray, tarnishes dull bronze
Crystal habitMassive, granular. Common texture observed in granite and other igneous rock
FractureSub-conchoidal
Mohs scale hardness4
LusterMetallic
DiaphaneityOpaque
Specific gravity8.38 (measured), 8.72 (calculated)
Other characteristicsNon-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.