Stützite

Stützite

Stützite from the Moctezuma Mine, Sonora, Mexico (size:3.7 x 3.3 x 1.7 cm)
General
Category Telluride mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Ag5−xTe3 (with x = 0.24 to 0.36)
Strunz classification 2.BA.30e
Crystal system Hexagonal
Unit cell a = 13.38, c = 8.45 [Å]; Z = 7
Identification
Color Dark lead-gray
Crystal habit Massive, compact, granular
Crystal symmetry Hexagonal - dihexagonal dipyramidal
H-M symbol (6/m 2/m 2/m)
Space group: P 6/mmm
Cleavage None observed
Fracture Subconchoidal
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness 3.5
Luster Metallic
Diaphaneity Opaque
Specific gravity 8.0
Alters to Tarnishes rapidly to a dark bronze to iridescence
Other characteristics Anisotrpism in polished section: Moderate, in gray reddish brown-blue
References [1][2][3]

Stützite or stuetzite is a silver telluride mineral with formula: Ag5−xTe3 (with x = 0.24 to 0.36)[1] or Ag7Te4.[4]

It was first described in 1951 from a museum specimen from Sacarimb, Romania. It was named for Austrian mineralogist Xavier Stütz (1747–1806).[1][2]

It occurs with other sulfide and telluride minerals in hydrothermal ore occurrences. Associated minerals include sylvanite, hessite, altaite, petzite, empressite, native tellurium, native gold, galena, sphalerite, colusite, tennantite and pyrite.[1]

References


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