| Jalpaite | |
|---|---|
|  Jalpaite crystals from Jalpa, Municipio de Jalpa, Zacatecas, Mexico (size: 3.6 x 3.5 x 3.2 cm) | |
| General | |
| Category | Sulfide mineral | 
| Formula (repeating unit) | Ag3CuS2 | 
| IMA symbol | Jal[1] | 
| Strunz classification | 2.BA.45 | 
| Crystal system | Tetragonal | 
| Crystal class | Ditetragonal dipyramidal (4/mmm) H-M symbol: (4/m 2/m 2/m) | 
| Space group | I41/amd | 
| Unit cell | a = 8.67, c = 11.75 [Å]; Z = 8 | 
| Identification | |
| Color | Pale metallic gray | 
| Crystal habit | Irregular and foliated masses, inclusions in other minerals | 
| Cleavage | Prismatic, good | 
| Fracture | Subconchoidal | 
| Tenacity | Sectile, malleable | 
| Mohs scale hardness | 2 - 2.5 | 
| Luster | Metallic | 
| Streak | Black | 
| Diaphaneity | Opaque | 
| Specific gravity | 6.82–6.85 | 
| Pleochroism | Distinct in oil, brownish gray to pure gray | 
| Alters to | Tarnishes with iridescence | 
| References | [2][3][4] | 
Jalpaite is a rare copper silver sulfide mineral with formula Ag3CuS2.
It was first described in 1858 for an occurrence in the Leonora Mine, Jalpa, Zacatecas, Mexico and named for the locality.[3] It occurs in low temperature hydrothermal veins at temperatures less than 117 °C (243 °F). Associated minerals include acanthite, mckinstryite, galena, sphalerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, stromeyerite, polybasite, pearceite, tetrahedrite–tennantite and native silver.[2]
References
- ↑ 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.
- 1 2 Handbook of Mineralogy
- 1 2 Mindat.org
- ↑ Webmineral data
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