Berzelianite

Berzelianite is a rare copper selenide mineral with the formula Cu2Se.[1][2][3] It occurs as thin dendritic crusts or as fine-grained inclusions. It crystallizes in the isometric system,[4][5][6] unlike its dimorph, bellidoite, which crystallizes in the tetragonal system.[7] The crystals are opaque and slightly malleable.

Berzelianite
Berzelianite included in calcite from the Skrikerum mine in Sweden.
General
CategorySelenide minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)		Cu2Se
Strunz classification2.BA.20
Dana classification2.4.10.1
Crystal systemIsometric
Identification
ColorSilvery white, tarnishes easily
Crystal habitDendritic crusts, fine-grained inclusions
CleavageNone
FractureUneven
TenacitySlightly malleable
Mohs scale hardness2.7
LusterMetallic
StreakShining
DiaphaneityOpaque
Density6.71 (measured) 7.28 (calculated)
Ultraviolet fluorescenceNone
Common impuritiesAg
References

Occurrence and name

Berzelianite was first identified at the Skrikerum Mine (also spelled as Skrickerum Mine) in Valdemarsvik, Östergötland, Sweden in 1850.[5]

It was named by James Dwight Dana to honor Jöns Jakob Berzelius, a Swedish chemist who is seen as the father of analytical chemistry. He invented chemical symbol notation and discovered the elements cerium, selenium, silicon, and thorium.[5]

Berzelianite often occurs together with eucairite, clausthalite, tiemannite, umangite, klockmannite, aguilarite, crookesite, athabascaite, stromeyerite, polybasite, pearceite, gold, uraninite, pyrite, marcasite, calcite.

See also

References
  1. I.Y. Nekrasov (1 January 1996). Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Genesis of Gold Deposits. CRC Press. p. 238. ISBN 978-90-5410-723-1.
  2. Stephen B. Castor; Gregory C. Ferdock (2004). Minerals of Nevada. University of Nevada Press. p. 163. ISBN 978-0-87417-540-0.
  3. Bernhard Pracejus (25 June 2015). The Ore Minerals Under the Microscope: An Optical Guide. Elsevier Science. p. 202. ISBN 978-0-444-62737-7.
  4. "Handbook of mineralogy Berzelianite" (PDF).
  5. "Berzelianite: Berzelianite mineral information and data". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
  6. Barthelmy, Dave. "Berzelianite Mineral Data". www.webmineral.com. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
  7. "Bellidoite: Bellidoite mineral information and data". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
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