Domeykite

Domeykite
Domeykite
General
Category Arsenide mineral
Chemical formula Cu3As
Strunz classification 02.AA.10b
Crystal symmetry Isometric hextetrahedral
H-M symbol: (43m)
Space group: I43d
Unit cell a = 9.62 Å; Z = 16
Identification
Molar mass 265.56
Color Tin-white to steel-gray
Crystal habit Reniform, botryoidal; massive
Crystal system Isometric
Cleavage None
Tenacity Brittle - sectile
Mohs scale hardness 3-3.5
Luster Metallic
Streak Black gray
Diaphaneity Opaque
Specific gravity 7.2 - 8.1, average = 7.65
Other characteristics Tarnishes pale yellow, then pale brown, and finally to iridescence
References [1][2][3]

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.

It was first described in 1845 in the Algodones mines, Coquimbo, Chile. It was named for Lithuanian mineralogist Ignacy Domeyko (1802-89).

Crystal structure of domeykite
Mohawkite nugget, a mixture of domeykite, algodonite and native copper (50x40x28 mm)

See also

References

  1. ^ Handbook of Mineralogy - Domeykite
  2. ^ Mindat.org - Domeykite
  3. ^ Webmineral data - Domeykite
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