Weissite

Weissite is a telluride mineral, a copper telluride (Cu2−xTe). 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.[2]

Weissite
General
CategoryTelluride mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Cu2−xTe
Strunz classification2.BA.30
Crystal systemHexagonal
Crystal classDihexagonal dipyramidal (6mmm)
H-M symbol: (6/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupP6/mmm
Unit cella = 12.54, c = 21.71 [Å]; Z = 15
Identification
ColorBluish black to black with tarnish
Crystal habitLens shaped masses
CleavageNone
FractureUneven
Mohs scale hardness3
LusterMetallic
StreakBlack
DiaphaneityOpaque
Specific gravity6
BirefringenceDistinct
PleochroismDistinct
References[1][2][3]

Weissite occurs in hydrothermal deposits associated with pyrite, native tellurium, sylvanite, petzite, rickardite, native sulfur, native gold, calaverite and krennerite.[1]

It was first described in 1927 for an occurrence in the Good Hope Mine in the Vulcan District of Gunnison County, Colorado.[2] It was named for mine owner Louis Weiss.[3]

See also

References

  • D. M. Chizhikov and V. P. Shchastlivyi, 1966, Tellurium and Tellurides, Nauka Publishing, Moscow


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