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Mazzettiite

A valid IMA mineral species
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Formula:
Ag3HgPbSbTe5
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
9.04 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
For Giuseppe Mazzetti (1942-2003), curator in chief Mineralogy section, Museo di Storia Naturale, Universita di Firenze.
This page provides mineralogical data about Mazzettiite.


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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
27205
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:27205:6

IMA Classification of MazzettiiteHide

Classification of MazzettiiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
2.LB.40

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
L : Unclassified Sulfosalts
B : With essential Pb

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

Pronunciation of MazzettiiteHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of MazzettiiteHide

Lustre:
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN25=96 - 106 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
9.04 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Could not be measured due to small grain size.

Optical Data of MazzettiiteHide

Anisotropism:
Moderate
Bireflectance:
Weak to moderate
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)R2 (%)
400nm45.1%45.4%
420nm45.2%45.7%
440nm45.4%45.9%
460nm45.6%46.1%
470nm45.6%46.1%
480nm45.9%46.3%
480nm45.9%46.3%
500nm45.9%46.4%
520nm46.0%46.4%
540nm46.0%46.5%
546nm46.1%46.6%
560nm46.2%46.6%
580nm46.3%47.0%
589nm46.3%47.0%
600nm46.4%47.0%
620nm46.4%47.1%
640nm46.5%47.2%
650nm46.4%47.1%
660nm46.3%47.0%
680nm46.4%46.9%
700nm46.0%46.8%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 47.2%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Light grey
Internal Reflections:
None
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Greenish gray to a slightly darker bluish gray

Chemistry of MazzettiiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Ag3HgPbSbTe5
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Te42.786 %
Ag21.702 %
Pb13.895 %
Hg13.452 %
Sb8.166 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Ag, Hg, Pb, Sb, Te - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of MazzettiiteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.495(6) Å, b = 14.762(7) Å, c = 4.506(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.117 : 1 : 0.305
Unit Cell V:
1,097.21 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Point Group: mm2 or 2/m 2/m 2/m.; Space Group: Pna21 or Pnam.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])

Type Occurrence of MazzettiiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Findley Gulch (Findlay Gulch), Bonanza Mining District (Kerber Creek Mining District; Blake Mining District), Saguache County, Colorado, USA
General Appearance of Type Material:
Anhedral to subhedral grains, to 200 μm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Museo di Storia Naturale, Università di Firenze, Italy, 2951/I.
Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique, V/876.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Hydrothermal telluride deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
AltaiteGalenaQuartz
Reference:
Bindi, L., Cipriani, C. (2004) Mazzettiite, Ag3HgPbSbTe5, a new mineral species from Findley Gulch, Saguache County, Colorado, USA. The Canadian Mineralogist, 42 (6) 1739-1743 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.42.6.1739

Synonyms of MazzettiiteHide

Other Language Names for MazzettiiteHide

German:Mazzettiit
Simplified Chinese:碲锑铅汞银矿
Traditional Chinese:碲銻鉛汞銀礦

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.LB.CiriottiiteCu(Cu,Ag)3Pb19(Sb,As)22(As2)S56Mon. 2/m
2.LB.HayyaniteCu5Ag11Pb76Sb71As17(As2+)8S224Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.LB.WenqingitePb5(AsS3)2(Ge2S6)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.LB.05MiharaiteCu4FePbBiS6Orth.
2.LB.30LaunayiteCu2Pb20(Sb,As)26S60Mon. 2/m : P2/b
2.LB.30ArdaitePb19Sb13S35Cl7Mon.
2.LB.30SorbyiteCuPb9(Sb,As)11S26Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.LB.30PlayfairitePb16(Sb,As)19S44ClMon.
2.LB.30SterryiteCu(Ag,Cu)3Pb19(Sb,As)22(As2)S56Mon. 2/m
2.LB.30MadocitePb19(Sb,As)16S43Orth.
2.LB.35Larosite(Cu,Ag)21PbBiS13Orth.
2.LB.40PetroviciteCu3HgPbBiSe5Orth.
2.LB.45CreraritePt2-x(Bi,Pb)11(S,Se)11Tric. 1 : P1
2.LB.50QuijarroiteCu6HgPb2Bi4Se12Orth. mm2 : Pmn21
2.LB.55ZnamenskyitePb4In2Bi4S13Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbam

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 MazzettiiteHide

References for MazzettiiteHide

Localities for MazzettiiteHide

Showing 1 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.
USA (TL)
 
  • Colorado
    • Saguache County
      • Bonanza Mining District (Kerber Creek Mining District; Blake Mining District)
Am Min 90:1229
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