Balkanite (original) (raw)

A valid IMA mineral species

About BalkaniteHide

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alternatively (Cu9−xMe2+x)Ag5−xHgS8 (x = 0.3) (Biagioni & Bindi, 2017)

Crystal System:

Monoclinic

Name:

For the medieval and popular name of the Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains), the type locality.

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Balkanite's structure is not layered, but may be desribed by (1) alternation (along a) of Cu-rich and Ag-rich layers or (2) as the one based on two alternating atomic (010) layers: [Cu4Ag3HgS4]+ and [Cu5Ag2S4]−, or (3) alternation of two polyhedral layers: [Cu7Ag3S4]2+ and [Cu2Ag2HgS4]2−. Coordination of Hg is linear, Ag - tetrahedral or a distorted octahedral, and that of Cu - linear or planar triangular.

Unique IdentifiersHide

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Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:496:9

14879f3d-1a10-4fc6-bbd5-f8ce0f737b28

IMA Classification of BalkaniteHide

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Classification of BalkaniteHide

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2.BD.15

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
D : With Hg, Tl

2.16.7.1

2 : SULFIDES
16 : Miscellaneous

3.5.6

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
5 : Sulphides etc. of Hg and Tl

Mineral SymbolsHide

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As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Physical Properties of BalkaniteHide

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Hardness:

VHN100=79.4 - 91.6 kg/mm2 - Vickers

Density:

6.318 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.421 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Comment:

Measured on synthetic material

Optical Data of BalkaniteHide

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Reflectivity:

Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 35.6%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red

Colour in reflected light:

White-grey

Chemistry of BalkaniteHide

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Mindat Formula:

Cu9Ag5HgS8

alternatively (Cu9−xMe2+x)Ag5−xHgS8 (x = 0.3) (Biagioni & Bindi, 2017)

Crystallography of BalkaniteHide

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Crystal System:

Monoclinic

Class (H-M):

2/m - Prismatic

Cell Parameters:

a = 9.5539(11) Å, b = 3.9150(4) Å, c = 10.6424(12) Å
β = 90.047(9)°

Ratio:

a:b:c = 2.44 : 1 : 2.718

Morphology:

Rod-like prismatic crystals.

Twinning:

Lamellar in several directions

Comment:

Pseudo-orthorhombic. Originall assumed to be orthorhombic, with space group P222, Pmm2 or Pmmm.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

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Powder Diffraction Data:

Comments:

Sedmochislenitsi deposit, Bulgaria.

Geological EnvironmentHide

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Type Occurrence of BalkaniteHide

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Place of Conservation of Type Material:

Mineralogical Museum of the Higher Institute of Mining and Geology, 619; Museum of the University of Sofia “Kliment Ohridsky”, Sofia, 1351; National Museum of Natural History, Sofia, Bulgaria, 2339.

Geological Setting of Type Material:

High-grade copper ores in stratiform deposit.

Synonyms of BalkaniteHide

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Other Language Names for BalkaniteHide

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Common AssociatesHide

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Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

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Other InformationHide

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Health Risks:

No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Internet Links for BalkaniteHide

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References for BalkaniteHide

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Localities for BalkaniteHide

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This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

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- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. - Good crystals or important locality for species. - World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.