| 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) |
| IMA symbol | Stz [1] |
| Strunz classification | 2.BA.30e |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal |
| Crystal class | Dihexagonal dipyramidal (6/mmm) H-M symbol: (6/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Space group | P6/mmm |
| Unit cell | a = 13.38, c = 8.45 [Å]; Z = 7 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Dark lead-gray |
| Crystal habit | Massive, compact, granular |
| 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 | [2] [3] [4] |
Stützite or stuetzite is a silver telluride mineral with formula: Ag5−xTe3 (with x = 0.24 to 0.36) [2] or Ag7Te4. [5]
It was first described in 1951 from a museum specimen from Sacarimb, Romania. It was named for Austrian mineralogist Xavier Stütz (1747–1806). [2] [3]
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. [2]
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d Handbook of Mineralogy
- ^ a b Mindat.org
- ^ Webmineral data
- ^ Mineral Atlas
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