Stannite

Stannite
General
Category Sulfide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)		 Cu2FeSnS4
Strunz classification 2.CB.15a
Crystal system Tetragonal
Crystal class Scalenohedral (42m)
H-M symbol: (4 2m)
Space group I42m
Unit cell a = 5.4432, c = 10.7299 [Å]; Z = 2
Identification
Color Steel-gray to iron-black, may tarnish blue
Crystal habit Rarely as pseudo-octahedral crystals also massive, granular, and disseminated
Twinning Penetration twins on {102}
Cleavage Indistinct on {110} and {001}
Fracture Uneven
Mohs scale hardness 4
Luster Metallic
Streak Black
Diaphaneity Opaque
Specific gravity 4.3 - 4.5
References [1][2][3]

Stannite is a mineral, a sulfide of copper, iron, and tin.

The chemical formula Cu2FeSnS4. Zinc commonly occurs with the iron and trace germanium may be present.[3] Stannite is used as an ore of tin, consisting of approximately 28% tin, 13% iron, 30% copper, 30% sulfur by mass. It is found in tin-bearing, hydrothermal vein deposits occurring with chalcopyrite, sphalerite, tetrahedrite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, cassiterite, and wolframite.[1]

It is also known as bell metal ore as tin is an important constituent of bell-metal. It is thought the exploitation of tin deposits in Cornwall led to an expansion in bell founding.

The name comes from the Latin for tin: stannum. It was first described in 1797 for an occurrence in Wheal Rock, St. Agnes, Cornwall, England.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/stannite.pdf Handbook of Mineralogy
  2. ↑ http://webmineral.com/data/Stannite.shtml Webmineral data
  3. 1 2 3 http://www.mindat.org/min-3747.html Mindat.org
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