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Samsonite (mineral)

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Samsonite
Samsonite crystal from its type locality Samson Mine, St. Andreasberg, Harz, Germany
General
CategorySulfosalt minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
Ag4MnSb2S6
Strunz classification2.GA.15
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP21/n
Unit cella = 10.3861(6) Å
b = 8.1108(7) Å
c = 6.663(7) Å
β = 92.639(12)°; Z = 2
Identification
ColorBlack
Mohs scale hardness2+12
LusterMetallic
DiaphaneityOpaque
Specific gravity5.461 (calculated)
References[1][2][3]

Samsonite is a silver manganese antimony sulfosalt mineral with formula Ag4MnSb2S6. It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system with a typical slender radiating prismatic habit. It is metallic black to steel black with no cleavage and a brittle to conchoidal fracture. In thin fragments it appears reddish brown in transmitted light and also leaves a red streak. It is soft, Mohs hardness of 2.5, and has a specific gravity of 5.51.

It was first named in 1910 after an occurrence in the Samson Vein of the Sankt Andreasberg silver mines, Harz Mountains, Germany.

See also

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References

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  • Palache, C., H. Berman, and C. Frondel (1944) Dana's system of mineralogy, (7th edition), v. I, pp. 393–395