Kostovite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Kostovite
Ivan Kostov Nikolov
Formula:
CuAuTe4
Colour:
Grayish white
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
8.43
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named by Georgy Terziev in 1966 in honor of Ivan Kostov Nikolov (Иван Костов Николов) (24 December 1913, Plovdiv, Bulgaria - 31 March 2004, Sofia, Bulgaria), geologist, mineralogist and crystallographer at Sofia University and earlier at London Imperial College. He was President of the International Mineralogical Association from 1982–1986.
This page provides mineralogical data about Kostovite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2260
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2260:2
Similar Names
| Gustavite | A valid IMA mineral species | AgPbBi3S6 |
IMA Classification of Kostovite
Approved
IMA Formula:
AuCuTe4
Approval year:
1965
First published:
1966
Type description reference:
Classification of Kostovite
2.EA.15
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
A : M:S = 1:2 - With Cu, Ag, Au
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
A : M:S = 1:2 - With Cu, Ag, Au
2.12.13.4
2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
3.3.3
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
3 : Sulphides etc. of Au
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
3 : Sulphides etc. of Au
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Ktv | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Kostovite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Grayish white
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN25=180 - 186 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct in one direction
Distinct in one direction
Density:
8.43 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.94 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Kostovite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
Anisotropism:
Distinct: pinkish grayish brown, yellowish gray, brownish gray and reddish hues.
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 38.7% | 54.0% |
| 420nm | 41.5% | 55.9% |
| 440nm | 44.0% | 57.7% |
| 460nm | 46.0% | 59.2% |
| 480nm | 47.5% | 60.3% |
| 500nm | 48.8% | 61.1% |
| 520nm | 49.7% | 61.6% |
| 540nm | 50.5% | 61.7% |
| 560nm | 51.2% | 61.6% |
| 580nm | 51.7% | 61.4% |
| 600nm | 52.1% | 61.2% |
| 620nm | 52.3% | 61.0% |
| 640nm | 52.5% | 60.8% |
| 660nm | 52.7% | 60.7% |
| 680nm | 52.9% | 60.7% |
| 700nm | 53.3% | 60.7% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 61.7%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Pinkish creamy white
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
light creamy white (lighter)
to light creamy brownish (darker)
to light creamy brownish (darker)
Chemistry of Kostovite
Mindat Formula:
CuAuTe4
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ag,Fe,Sb,S
Crystallography of Kostovite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.50(5) Å, b = 8.84(2) Å, c = 4.42(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.867 : 1 : 0.5
Unit Cell V:
644.70 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
20-50 micron equant to slightly elongated grains.
Twinning:
Fine lamellar 0.1 to 20 µm thick.
Comment:
Point Group: n.d. ; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.03 Å | (100) |
| 2.10 Å | (90) |
| 2.93 Å | (60) |
| 5.03 Å | (50) |
| 3.36 Å | (50) |
| 3.24 Å | (50) |
| 2.23 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Type Occurrence of Kostovite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small grains and short veinlets in tennantite and chalcopyrite. Equant to slightly elongated grains, 20 to 50 µm in diameter. Outlines in polished sections are usually polygonal, seldom rounded.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Geological Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria.
University of Sophia, Bulgaria.
Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy and Geochemistry (IGEM), Moscow, Russia.
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
University of Sophia, Bulgaria.
Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy and Geochemistry (IGEM), Moscow, Russia.
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Replacement copper deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Kostovite
Other Language Names for Kostovite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.EA. | Radvaniceite | GeS2 |
| 2.EA. | Zavyalovite | Ag2TeS3 |
| 2.EA.05 | Sylvanite | AgAuTe4 |
| 2.EA.10 | Calaverite | AuTe2 |
| 2.EA.15 | Krennerite | Au3AgTe8 |
| 2.EA.20 | Melonite | NiTe2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Merenskyite | PdTe2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Ognitite | NiBiTe |
| 2.EA.20 | Shuangfengite | IrTe2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Berndtite | SnS2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Sudovikovite | PtSe2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Kitkaite | NiTeSe |
| 2.EA.20 | Moncheite | Pt(Te,Bi)2 |
| 2.EA.25 | Verbeekite | PdSe2 |
| 2.EA.30 | Drysdallite | MoSe2 |
| 2.EA.30 | Jordisite | MoS2 |
| 2.EA.30 | Molybdenite | MoS2 |
| 2.EA.30 | Tungstenite | WS2 |
| 2.EA.40 | Pampaloite | AuSbTe |
Other Information
Magnetism:
Non-Magnetic
Notes:
Tests with HNO3 (1:1), HCl (1:1), KCN, KOH, HgCl2, and FeCl3 are negative.
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 Kostovite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2260.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Kostovite
Reference List:
Localities for Kostovite
Showing 33 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Frank Keutsch (reflected light and SEM/EDS study) |
| Noble (2017) |
| Noble (2017) | |
Bulgaria (TL) | |
| Geol. Ore deposit (1966) +3 other references |
China | |
| Anthony +1 other reference |
Fiji | |
| Naden +1 other reference |
Finland | |
| Poutiainen et al. (1996) |
Ghana | |
| Bowell et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
Greece | |
| Voudouris et al. (2022) |
| Bonev +5 other references |
Japan | |
| Int Geol Congr (2008) |
| Nakata et al. (2011) | |
Mexico | |
| Larocque et al. (2008) | |
| Braith et al. (2001) |
| Bonev et al. (2005) | |
Papua New Guinea | |
| K92 Mining |
Peru | |
| Bendezu et al. (2009) |
| Bendezu et al. (2009) | |
Romania | |
| Bonev +3 other references |
Russia | |
| Lehmann et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
| Bonev et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
| Kozlov et al. (n.d.) |
| Bazai et al. (2009) |
| Lehmann et al. (1999) |
Sweden | |
| Bonev +3 other references |
USA | |
| Graeme (1993) |
| Graeme (1993) +2 other references | |
| Frank Keutsch collection |
| POHL et al. (1990) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
Uzbekistan | |
| Eleonora A. Dunin-Barkovskaya et al. (2005) |
| GEOCHMISTRY +4 other references | |
Zimbabwe | |
| Afifi et al. (1988) +1 other reference |
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Kalgoorlie-Boulder Shire, Western Australia, Australia