Meneghinite

Meneghinite

Meneghinite twin, 1.1 x 0.4 x 0.2 cm. Bottino Mine, Stazzema, Italy
General
Category Sulfosalt mineral
Chemical formula CuPb13 Sb7S24
Strunz classification 02.HB.05b
Identification
Color Blackish lead-grey
Crystal habit Prismatic to acicular, massive
Crystal system Orthorhombic
Cleavage {010} perfect
Fracture Conchoidal
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness
Luster Metallic
Streak Black shining
Diaphaneity Opaque
Specific gravity 6.36
Pleochroism Weak
References [1][2]

Meneghinite is a sulfosalt mineral with the chemical formula CuPb13 Sb7S24.[2]

In the orthorhombic crystal system, meneghinite has a Mohs hardness of 2½, one perfect cleavage and a conchoidal fracture. It is a blackish lead-grey in colour and gives a black shining streak. Its lustre is metallic.[2]

Discovered in the Italian Province of Lucca in 1852[2], it is named after Giuseppe Meneghini (1811–1889) of the University of Pisa, who first observed the species.[3] The Bottino Mine in Lucca is the type locality.[2]

References

  1. ^ http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/meneghinite.pdf Handbook of Mineralogy
  2. ^ a b c d e Mindat information page for Meneghinite
  3. ^ The Brown Reference Group plc, ed (2007). "Meneghinite". Treasures of the Earth. De Agostini UK Ltd. ISBN 0748979956.