Franckeite

(repeating unit)(Pb,Sn2+)6Fe2+Sn2Sb2S14IMA symbolFke[1]Strunz classification2.HF.25bDana classification03.01.04.02Crystal systemTriclinicCrystal classPinacoidal (1)
(same H-M symbol)Space groupP1IdentificationColorGrayish blackCrystal habitTypically in spherical, rosette aggregates of thin plates; commonly massive, radiated, or foliatedTwinningComplexCleavage{010}, perfectTenacityFlexible, inelastic; slightly malleableMohs scale hardness2.5 – 3LusterMetallicStreakGrayish blackDiaphaneityOpaqueSpecific gravity5.88 – 5.92PleochroismWeakReferences[2][3][4]

Franckeite, chemical formula Pb5Sn3Sb2S14, belongs to a family of complex sulfide minerals. Franckeite is a sulfosalt. It is closely related to cylindrite.

It was first described in 1893 for an occurrence in Chocaya, Potosí Department, Bolivia. It is named after the mining engineers, Carl and Ernest Francke.[3] It can be found in Bolivia at Poopó in Oruro and at Las Aminas, southeast of Chocaya, in Potosi. Franckeite has an average density of 5.7 and can be both grayish black, blackish gray in color.

It occurs in hydrothermal silver-tin deposits in Bolivia and in contact metamorphosed limestone deposit in the Kalkar quarry in California. It occurs with cylindrite, teallite, plagionite, zinkenite, cassiterite, wurtzite, pyrrhotite, marcasite, arsenopyrite, galena, pyrite, sphalerite, siderite and stannite.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ a b http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/franckeite.pdf Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. ^ a b http://www.mindat.org/min-1592.html Mindat with location data
  4. ^ http://webmineral.com/data/Franckeite.shtml Webmineral data
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