Weissite

(repeating unit)Cu
2−x
Te
IMA symbolWst[1]Strunz classification2.BA.30Crystal systemHexagonalCrystal classDihexagonal dipyramidal (6mmm)
H-M symbol: (6/m 2/m 2/m)Space groupP6/mmmUnit cella = 12.54, c = 21.71 [Å]; Z = 15IdentificationColorBluish black to black with tarnishCrystal habitLens shaped massesCleavageNoneFractureUnevenMohs scale hardness3LusterMetallicStreakBlackDiaphaneityOpaqueSpecific gravity6BirefringenceDistinctPleochroismDistinctReferences[2][3][4]

Weissite is a telluride mineral, a copper telluride. Its chemical formula is Cu
2−x
Te
. 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.[3]

Weissite occurs in hydrothermal deposits associated with pyrite, native tellurium, sylvanite, petzite, rickardite, native sulfur, native gold, calaverite and krennerite.[2]

It was first described in 1927 for an occurrence in the Good Hope Mine in the Vulcan District of Gunnison County, Colorado.[3] It was named for mine owner Louis Weiss.[4]

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 Weissite in the Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. ^ a b c Mindat entry
  4. ^ a b Webmineral
  • D. M. Chizhikov and V. P. Shchastlivyi, 1966, Tellurium and Tellurides, Nauka Publishing, Moscow


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