Domeykite

Last updated
Domeykite
Domeykite.jpg
General
Category Arsenide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Cu3As
IMA symbol Do [1]
Strunz classification 2.AA.10b
Crystal system Isometric
Crystal class Hextetrahedral (43m)
H-M symbol: (4 3m)
Space group I43d
Unit cell a = 9.62 Å; Z = 16
Identification
Formula mass 265.56 g/mol
ColorTin-white to steel-gray
Crystal habit Reniform, botryoidal; massive
Cleavage None
Tenacity Brittle – sectile
Mohs scale hardness3-3.5
Luster Metallic
Streak Black gray
Diaphaneity Opaque
Specific gravity 7.2 – 8.1, average = 7.65
Other characteristicsTarnishes pale yellow, then pale brown, and finally to iridescence
References [2] [3] [4]

Domeykite is a copper arsenide mineral, Cu3As. It crystallizes in the isometric system, although crystals are very rare. It typically forms as irregular masses or botryoidal forms. It is an opaque, white to gray (weathers brassy) metallic mineral with a Mohs hardness of 3 to 3.5 and a specific gravity of 7.2 to 8.1. [2] [4]

Contents

It was first described in 1845 in the Algodones mines, Coquimbo, Chile. It was named after Polish mineralogist Ignacy Domeyko (1802–1889) by Wilhelm Haidinger. [3]

Uses

Domeykite, being a minor copper ore, is used for obtaining copper. It can also be polished and used for ornamental purposes. [5]

Crystal structure of domeykite Domeykite structure.jpg
Crystal structure of domeykite
Mohawkite nugget, a mixture of domeykite, algodonite and native copper (50 x 40 x 28 mm) Mohawkite.jpg
Mohawkite nugget, a mixture of domeykite, algodonite and native copper (50 × 40 × 28 mm)

See also

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2 – x
Al
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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. 1 2 "Handbook of Mineralogy – Domeykite" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  3. 1 2 Mindat.org – Domeykite
  4. 1 2 Webmineral data – Domeykite
  5. galleries – Domeykite