Kostovite

Kostovite
General
Category Telluride mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
AuCuTe4
Strunz classification 2.EA.15 (10 ed)
2/D.16-10 (8 ed)
Dana classification 02.12.13.4
Crystal system Orthorhombic
Crystal class Pyramidal (mm2)
H-M Symbol: (mm2)
Space group Pma2
Identification
Color Grayish white
Twinning Fine lamellar
Cleavage Distinct/good
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness 2 - 2.5
Luster Metallic
Diaphaneity Opaque
Specific gravity 7.94
Optical properties Anisotropic
Pleochroism Visible
References [1][2][3][4][5]

Kostovite is a rare orthorhombic-pyramidal gray white telluride mineral containing copper and gold with chemical formula AuCuTe4.[1][2][3]

It was discovered by Bulgarian mineralogist Georgi Terziev (Георги Терзиев) (1935–1972), who named it in honor of his professor Ivan Kostov (Иван Костов) (1913–2004).[6][7] In 1965 kostovite was approved as a new species by the International Mineralogical Association.[8] The type locality is the Chelopech copper ore deposit, Bulgaria.[9] Small deposits have also been found in Kochbulak (Eastern Uzbekistan), Commoner mine (Zimbabwe), Kamchatka (Russian Far East), Ashanti (Ghana), Buckeye Gulch (Leadville, Colorado, US), Bisbee (Arizona, US),[10] Kutemajärvi (Finland), Coranda-Hondol (Romania), Glava (Sweden), Bereznjakovskoje (Southern Urals, Russia), Moctezuma (Sonora, Mexico), Panormos Bay (Tinos Island, Greece), Guilaizhuang Mine, Tongshi complex (Linyi Prefecture, Shandong Province, China), Kalgoorlie-Boulder City, (Goldfields-Esperance region, Western Australia, Australia).[11]

See also

List of minerals named after people

References

Further reading

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