Calvertite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Calvertite
Formula:
Cu5Ge0.5S4
Colour:
Black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
4 - 5
Specific Gravity:
5.239 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
Named in honor of Lauriston (Larry) Derwent Calvert (1924, Tasmania, Australia - 19 February 1993, Victoria, Australia) of the National Research Council, Ottawa, Canada. He was an expert in powder diffraction, collecting nearly 1300 new powder patterns.
This page provides mineralogical data about Calvertite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
30904
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:30904:0
IMA Classification of Calvertite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu5Ge0.5S4
Approval year:
2006
First published:
2007
Classification of Calvertite
2.CA.15
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
A : With Cu
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
A : With Cu
2.5.2.2
2 : SULFIDES
5 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 3:2
2 : SULFIDES
5 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 3:2
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cvt | 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 Calvertite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Black
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
4 - 5 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN25=368 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
5.239 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Calvertite
Bireflectance:
None
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) |
|---|---|
| 400nm | 28.0% |
| 420nm | 27.6% |
| 440nm | 27.1% |
| 460nm | 26.7% |
| 480nm | 25.9% |
| 500nm | 25.0% |
| 520nm | 24.2% |
| 540nm | 23.5% |
| 560nm | 22.8% |
| 580nm | 22.3% |
| 600nm | 22.1% |
| 620nm | 21.8% |
| 640nm | 21.6% |
| 660nm | 21.5% |
| 680nm | 21.5% |
| 700nm | 21.5% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 28.0%.
Colour in reflected light:
Pale blue gray
Internal Reflections:
None
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Calvertite
Mindat Formula:
Cu5Ge0.5S4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Calvertite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
43m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:
F43m
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.3365 Å
Unit Cell V:
151.97 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.053 Å | (100) |
| 2.639 Å | (10) |
| 1.869 Å | (90) |
| 1.595 Å | (30) |
Reference:
Comments:
These four lines are not definitive as they match strong lines for reinerite, germanocolusite, and germanite.
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 Calvertite
General Appearance of Type Material:
As anhedral, elongate to elliptical grains, to 100 μm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa (CMNMC 85731), and the Natural History Museum, London, U.K. (BM2004, 78)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidized germanium rich ore
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Calvertite
Other Language Names for Calvertite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Calvertite associated with Chalcocite | Cu2S |
| 1 photo of Calvertite associated with Renierite | (Cu+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.CA.05d | Yarrowite | Cu9S8 |
| 2.CA.05a | Covellite | CuS |
| 2.CA.05c | Spionkopite | Cu39S28 |
| 2.CA.05b | Klockmannite | CuSe |
| 2.CA.10 | Nukundamite | Cu3.33Fe0.66S4 |
| 2.CA.20 | Erazoite | Cu4SnS6 |
| 2.CA.25 | Grokhovskyite | CuCrS2 |
Other Information
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 Calvertite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-30904.html
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References for Calvertite
Localities for Calvertite
Showing 1 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.
Namibia (TL) | |
| Jambor et al. (2007) |
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Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia