Domeykite

(repeating unit)Cu3AsIMA symbolDo[1]Strunz classification2.AA.10bCrystal systemIsometricCrystal classHextetrahedral (43m)
H-M symbol: (4 3m)Space groupI43dUnit cella = 9.62 Å; Z = 16IdentificationFormula mass265.56 g/molColorTin-white to steel-grayCrystal habitReniform, botryoidal; massiveCleavageNoneTenacityBrittle – sectileMohs scale hardness3-3.5LusterMetallicStreakBlack grayDiaphaneityOpaqueSpecific gravity7.2 – 8.1, average = 7.65Other characteristicsTarnishes pale yellow, then pale brown, and finally to iridescenceReferences[2][3][4]

Domeykite is a copper arsenide mineral, Cu3As. It crystallizes in the isometric system, although crystals are very rare. It typically forms as irregular masses or botryoidal forms. It is an opaque, white to gray (weathers brassy) metallic mineral with a Mohs hardness of 3 to 3.5 and a specific gravity of 7.2 to 8.1.[2][4]

It was first described in 1845 in the Algodones mines, Coquimbo, Chile. It was named after Polish mineralogist Ignacy Domeyko (1802–1889) by Wilhelm Haidinger.[3]

Uses

Domeykite, being a minor copper ore, is used for obtaining copper. It can also be polished and used for ornamental purposes.[5]

Crystal structure of domeykite
Mohawkite nugget, a mixture of domeykite, algodonite and native copper (50 × 40 × 28 mm)

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 "Handbook of Mineralogy – Domeykite" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  3. ^ a b Mindat.org – Domeykite
  4. ^ a b Webmineral data – Domeykite
  5. ^ galleries – Domeykite
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