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Sicherite

A valid IMA mineral species
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01395230017505844923048.jpg
Sicherite

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
01605050017271929674883.jpg
Sicherite, etc.

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
05302310017271929703097.jpg
Sicherite, etc.

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
07181690017505844315134.jpg
Sicherite

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
01605050017271929674883.jpg
Sicherite, etc.

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
05302310017271929703097.jpg
Sicherite, etc.

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
01395230017505844923048.jpg
Sicherite

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
01605050017271929674883.jpg
Sicherite, etc.

Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
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About SicheriteHide

05079430017271929756082.jpg
Valentin Sicher (1925-2017)
Formula:
TlAg2(As,Sb)3S6
Colour:
Dark gray, black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
5.26 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
After Valentin Sicher (1925-2017) who was an active member of and thus financial contributor to the various Lengenbach syndicates that have operated the Lengenbach quarry for scientific research and specimen production for more than 50 years.
This page provides mineralogical data about Sicherite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
11028
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:11028:8

Similar NamesHide

IMA Classification of SicheriteHide

Classification of SicheriteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
2.HD.55

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
H : Sulfosalts of SnS archetype
D : With Tl

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
SicIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of SicheriteHide

Lustre:
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Dark gray, black
Streak:
Dark brown-red
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN10=57 - 59 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
None Observed
None
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
5.26 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of SicheriteHide

Anisotropism:
Air: extremely weak. Oil: distinct.
Bireflectance:
None
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)R2 (%)imR1 (%)imR2 (%)
400nm33.76%36.15%17.95%21.27%
420nm33.33%35.54%17.67%20.56%
440nm32.70%34.63%17.09%19.63%
460nm31.92%33.85%16.44%18.89%
470nm31.43%33.43%15.98%18.41%
480nm30.99%33.00%15.65%18.07%
500nm30.07%32.25%14.81%17.26%
520nm29.23%31.44%14.18%16.59%
540nm28.52%30.74%13.62%15.96%
546nm28.31%30.52%13.48%15.80%
560nm27.88%30.05%13.13%15.37%
580nm27.34%29.38%12.76%14.87%
589nm27.10%29.11%12.54%14.56%
600nm26.79%28.75%12.30%14.34%
620nm26.24%28.15%11.90%13.84%
640nm25.76%27.68%11.54%13.43%
650nm25.57%27.44%11.36%13.17%
660nm25.33%27.25%11.16%12.93%
680nm24.81%26.70%11.08%12.73%
700nm24.63%26.41%10.89%12.53%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 36.15%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red, imR1 shown in green, imR2 shown in blue
Colour in reflected light:
White
Internal Reflections:
Air: dark red, visible only along cracks from hardness indentations. Oil: dark red, distinct.
Pleochroism:
Not Visible

Chemistry of SicheriteHide

Mindat Formula:
TlAg2(As,Sb)3S6
Element Weights:
Element% weight
As26.845 %
Ag25.767 %
Tl24.411 %
S22.978 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Ag, As, S, Sb, Tl - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of SicheriteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.479(3) Å, b = 15.522(4) Å, c = 5.719(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.804 : 1 : 0.368
Unit Cell V:
1,107.76 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Twinning:
none
Comment:
space group Pmnb

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0002673SicheriteGraeser S, Berlepsch P, Makovicky E, Balic-Zunic T (2001) Sicherite, TlAg2(As,Sb)3S6 - a new sulfosalt from Lengenbach (Binntal, Switzerland): Description and structure determination American Mineralogist 86 1087-10932001Lengenbach quarry, Binnatal, Switzerland0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.822 Å(100)
3.363 Å(50)
3.118 Å(27)
3.210 Å(26)
3.29 Å(23)
2.540 Å(17)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])

Type Occurrence of SicheriteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland
General Appearance of Type Material:
Individual crystals reach approximately 0.4 mm, but aggregates may exceed 1–2 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Department of Mineralogy, Natural History Museum, Basel, Switzerland; the samples used for X-ray, microprobe and ore microscopic studies remain at the Mineralogisch-Petrographisches Institute, University of Basel.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
HatchiteHutchinsoniteJentschiteRealgar
Reference:
Graeser, Stefan, Berlepsch, Peter, Makovicky, Emil, Balić-Zǔnić, Tonči (2001) Sicherite, TlAg2(As,Sb)3S6, a new sulfosalt mineral from Lengenbach (Binntal, Switzerland): Description and structure determination. American Mineralogist, 86 (9) 1087-1093 doi:10.2138/am-2001-8-916

Synonyms of SicheriteHide

Other Language Names for SicheriteHide

Dutch:Sicheriet
German:Sicherit
Simplified Chinese:斜硫锑砷银铊矿
Spanish:Sicherita

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Sicherite associated with SeligmannitePbCuAsS3
1 photo of Sicherite associated with PararealgarAs4S4
1 photo of Sicherite associated with HatchiteAgTlPbAs2S5
1 photo of Sicherite associated with HutchinsoniteTlPbAs5S9
1 photo of Sicherite associated with Tennantite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.HD.EnneasartoriteTl6Pb32As70S140Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.HD.ShimeniteTl5Sb21-yAsyS34Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.DewititeAgzTl10-x-zPb2xSb42-x-yAsyS68Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.BuyniteTlPb14As17S40Mon. 2 : P21
2.HD.VallouiseiteAg3Tl21.5PbSb63As41.5S170Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.GiuşcăiteAg2Tl4Pb4As20Sb2S40Mon. m
2.HD.BoscardiniteTlPb4(Sb7As2)S18Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.GungeriteTlAs5Sb4S13Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn
2.HD.05eDalnegroite(Tl4Pb2)(As12Sb8)S34Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.05LoránditeTlAsS2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.HD.05WeissbergiteTlSbS2Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.05eChabournéiteAgzTl8-x-zPb4+2xSb40-x-yAsyS68 with 0.00 < x < 0.40(9), 16.15(3)< y < 19.11(10), 0.04(4) < z < 0.11(6)Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.15ChristiteTlHgAsS3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmca
2.HD.15MarkwelchiteTlPbSbS3Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.HD.15RichardsollyiteTlPbAsS3Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.HD.20JankovićiteTl5Sb9(As,Sb)4S22Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.25RebuliteTl5Sb5As8S22Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.HD.30ImhofiteTl5.8As15.4S26Mon. 2/m
2.HD.35EdenharteritePbTlAs3S6Orth. mm2 : Fdd2
2.HD.40JentschiteTlPbAs2SbS6Mon. 2/m
2.HD.45ProtochabournéiteTl4-xPb2+2xSb20-x-yAsyS34 with 0.02(2) ≤ x ≤ 0.34(2), 5.71(9) ≤ y ≤ 6.69(9)Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.45HutchinsoniteTlPbAs5S9Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
2.HD.50BernarditeTlAs5S8Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.HD.55GeueriteAg2Tl4Pb4As22S40Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.HD.60GabrieliteTl6Ag3Cu6(As,Sb)9S21Tric. 1 : P1
2.HD.65TsygankoiteMn8Tl8Hg2(Sb21Pb2Tl)S48Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.HD.70DrechsleriteTl4(Sb4-xAsx)S8 (1 < x < 2)Tric. 1 : P1

Other InformationHide

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 SicheriteHide

References for SicheriteHide

Reference List:
Graeser, Stefan, Berlepsch, Peter, Makovicky, Emil, Balić-Zǔnić, Tonči (2001) Sicherite, TlAg2(As,Sb)3S6, a new sulfosalt mineral from Lengenbach (Binntal, Switzerland): Description and structure determination. American Mineralogist, 86 (9) 1087-1093 doi:10.2138/am-2001-8-916
Mandarino, Joseph A. (2001) New minerals. The Canadian Mineralogist, 39 (6) 1751-1760 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.39.6.1751
Graeser, Stefan, Berlepsch, Peter, Makovicky, Emil, Balić-Zǔnić, Tonči (2001) Sicherite, TlAg2(As,Sb)3S6, a new sulfosalt mineral from Lengenbach (Binntal, Switzerland): Description and structure determination. American Mineralogist, 86 (9) 1087-1093 doi:10.2138/am-2001-8-916
Berlepsch, Peter; Makovicky, Emil; Armbruster, Thomas (2003) Structural relationships between sicherite, marrite, freieslebenite, and diaphorite - analysis based on anionic nets and polyhedral characteristics. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen, 178 (1). 75-91 doi:10.1127/0077-7757/2002/0178-0075
Roth, P. (2007): Sicherite. In: Minerals first discovered in Switzerland and minerals named after Swiss individuals, Kristallografik Verlag (Achberg, Germany) 134-135.
Borisov, S. V., Magarill, S. A., Pervukhina, N. V. (2016) Crystallographic analysis of structures associated with a number of Tl- and Ag-containing sulfides: the composition–symmetry correlation. Journal of Structural Chemistry, 57 (3) 519-527 doi:10.1134/s0022476616030148
(2021) Sicherite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for SicheriteHide

Showing 3 localities.

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.
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Locality ListHide

- 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.
Australia
 
  • Queensland
    • Charters Towers Region
Paul (2010)
Russia
 
  • Sverdlovsk Oblast
    • Serovsky District
      • Turya river
        • Tur'insk
Stepanov +8 other references
Switzerland (TL)
 
  • Valais
    • Goms
      • Binn
        • Fäld
Graeser et al. (2001) +1 other reference
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