Argyrodite

Argyrodite is an uncommon silver germanium sulfide mineral with formula Ag8GeS6. The color is iron-black with a purplish tinge, and the luster metallic.

Argyrodite
General
CategorySulfide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Ag8GeS6
Strunz classification2.BA.35
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classPyramidal (mm2)
H-M symbol: (mm2)
Space groupPna21
Unit cella = 15.149, b = 7.476
c = 10.589 [Å]; Z = 4
Identification
ColorBlack, purplish tinge
Crystal habitPseudo-octahedra or pseudo-cubic, dodecahedra, cubes; radiating crystal aggregates, botryoidal crusts, or massive
TwinningPseudospinel law {111} penetration twins
CleavageAbsent
FractureUneven to conchoidal
Mohs scale hardness2.5
LusterMetallic
DiaphaneityOpaque
Specific gravity6.2-6.5
Optical propertiesWeakly anisotropic
PleochroismWeak
References[1][2]

Discovered by Clemens Winkler in 1886,[3] it is of interest as it was described shortly after the element germanium was isolated, 15 years after it had been postulated by Mendeleev. It was first described for an occurrence in the Himmelsfürst Mine, Erzgebirge, Freiberg, Saxony, Germany.[2]

The Freiberg mineral had previously been imperfectly described by August Breithaupt under the name "Plusinglanz", and Bolivian crystals were incorrectly described in 1849 as crystallized brongniardite.[3]

Isomorphous with argyrodite is the corresponding tin bearing mineral Ag8SnS6, also found in Bolivia as pseudocubic crystals, and known by the name canfieldite.[3] There is also a related mineral, putzite, with composition (Cu4.7Ag3.3)GeS6.

Argyrodite gets its name from the Greek words that loosely translate into "rich in silver".[1]

References

Attribution:

  •  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Spencer, Leonard James (1911). "Argyrodite". In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. 2 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 488.
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