Freibergite
| Freibergite | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General | |
| Category | Sulfosalt minerals |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Cu12Sb4S13 |
| Strunz classification | 02.GB.05 |
| Identification | |
| Formula mass | 1,929.46 gm |
| Color | Steel gray to Black |
| Crystal habit | massive to well formed crystals |
| Crystal system | Cubic |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Uneven |
| Mohs scale hardness | 3½ - 4 |
| Luster | Metallic |
| Streak | reddish black |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque |
Freibergite is a complex sulfosalt mineral of silver, copper, iron, antimony and arsenic with formula (Ag,Cu,Fe)12(Sb,As)4S13. It has cubic crystals and is formed in hydrothermal deposits. It forms one solid solution series with tetrahedrite and another with argentotennantite. Freibergite is an opaque, metallic steel grey to black and leaves a reddish black streak. It has a Mohs hardness of 3.5 to 4.0 and a specific gravity of 4.85 - 5. It is typically massive to granular in habit with no cleavage and an irregular fracture.
The mineral was first described in 1853 from an occurrence in the silver mines of the type locality at Freiberg, Saxony.
References
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