Kostovite

Kostovite
General
Category Telluride mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
AuCuTe4
Strunz classification 2.EA.15 (10 ed)
2/D.16-10 (8 ed)
Dana classification 02.12.13.4
Crystal system Orthorhombic
Crystal class Pyramidal (mm2)
H-M Symbol: (mm2)
Space group Pma2
Identification
Color Grayish white
Twinning Fine lamellar
Cleavage Distinct/good
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness 2 - 2.5
Luster Metallic
Diaphaneity Opaque
Specific gravity 7.94
Optical properties Anisotropic
Pleochroism Visible
References [1][2][3][4][5]

Kostovite is a rare orthorhombic-pyramidal gray white telluride mineral containing copper and gold with chemical formula AuCuTe4.[1][2][3]

It was discovered by Bulgarian mineralogist Georgi Terziev (Георги Терзиев) (1935–1972), who named it in honor of his professor Ivan Kostov (Иван Костов) (1913–2004).[6][7] In 1965 kostovite was approved as a new species by the International Mineralogical Association.[8] The type locality is the Chelopech copper ore deposit, Bulgaria.[9] Small deposits have also been found in Kochbulak (Eastern Uzbekistan), Commoner mine (Zimbabwe), Kamchatka (Russian Far East), Ashanti (Ghana), Buckeye Gulch (Leadville, Colorado, US), Bisbee (Arizona, US),[10] Kutemajärvi (Finland), Coranda-Hondol (Romania), Glava (Sweden), Bereznjakovskoje (Southern Urals, Russia), Moctezuma (Sonora, Mexico), Panormos Bay (Tinos Island, Greece), Guilaizhuang Mine, Tongshi complex (Linyi Prefecture, Shandong Province, China), Kalgoorlie-Boulder City, (Goldfields-Esperance region, Western Australia, Australia).[11]

See also

List of minerals named after people

References

  1. 1 2 Handbook of Mineralogy information page for Kostovite
  2. 1 2 Mindat information page for Kostovite
  3. 1 2 Webmineral information page for Kostovite
  4. Information about Kostovite at RRUFF Database
  5. Kostovite (IMA 1965-002) at Mineralienatlas Lexicon
  6. Terziev, G. (1966). "Kostovite, A Gold-Copper Telluride from Bulgaria" (PDF). The American Mineralogist. 51. pp. 29–36.
  7. Hey, M.H. (1966). "Twenty-fourth list of new mineral names" (PDF). Mineralogical Magazine. 36. p. 1140.
  8. "International Mineralogical Association: Commission on New Minerals and New Names" (PDF). Mineralogical Magazine. 36. 1968. pp. 1143–45.
  9. Information about Chelopech Au-Cu Mine, Chelopech, Sofiya Oblast (Sofia Oblast), Bulgaria at Mindat.org
  10. Kostovite at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
  11. Bonev, Ivan K.; Petrunov, Rumen; Cook, Nigel J.; Ciobanu, Cristiana L. (2005). "Kostovite and its argentian varieties: Deposits and mineral associations" (PDF). Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrology (42). pp. 1–22.

Further reading

  • G. Van Tendeloo; S. Amelinckx (1986). "High-resolution electron-microscopic study of the modulated structure of kostovite". Acta Crystallographica. 42: 121–130. doi:10.1107/S0108768186098488.
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