Chemistry:Weissite

From HandWiki
Weissite
General
CategoryTelluride mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Cu2−xTe
Strunz classification2.BA.30
Crystal systemHexagonal
Crystal classDihexagonal dipyramidal (6mmm)
H-M symbol: (6/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupP6/mmm
Unit cella = 12.54, c = 21.71 [Å]; Z = 15
Identification
ColorBluish black to black with tarnish
Crystal habitLens shaped masses
CleavageNone
FractureUneven
Mohs scale hardness3
|re|er}}Metallic
StreakBlack
DiaphaneityOpaque
Specific gravity6
BirefringenceDistinct
PleochroismDistinct
References[1][2][3]

Weissite is a telluride mineral, a copper telluride. Its chemical formula is Cu2−xTe. Weissite has hexagonal crystal structure. Its specific gravity is 6 and its Mohs hardness is 3. Occurrence is in Gunnison County, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico in the United States . It is also reported from Kalgoorlie, Western Australia and Dalarna and Värmland, Sweden.[2]

Weissite occurs in hydrothermal deposits associated with pyrite, native tellurium, sylvanite, petzite, rickardite, native sulfur, native gold, calaverite and krennerite.[1]

It was first described in 1927 for an occurrence in the Good Hope Mine in the Vulcan District of Gunnison County, Colorado.[2] It was named for mine owner Louis Weiss.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Weissite in the Handbook of Mineralogy
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Mindat entry
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Webmineral
  4. ↑ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine 85 (3): 291–320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. Bibcode: 2021MinM...85..291W. 
  • D. M. Chizhikov and V. P. Shchastlivyi, 1966, Tellurium and Tellurides, Nauka Publishing, Moscow