Paraguanajuatite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Paraguanajuatite
Formula:
Bi2Se3
Se may be replaced by minor S.
Colour:
Lead-gray
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
6.2 - 7.0
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named for its relationship to guanajuatite (Greek para = near); the two minerals are dimorphs.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3091
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3091:1
IMA Classification of Paraguanajuatite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Bi3+2Se2-3
First published:
1948
Classification of Paraguanajuatite
2.DC.05
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
D : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 3 :4 and 2:3
C : Variable M:S
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
D : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 3 :4 and 2:3
C : Variable M:S
2.11.7.4
2 : SULFIDES
11 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 2:3
2 : SULFIDES
11 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 2:3
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pgj | 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 Paraguanajuatite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Lead-gray
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN10=27 - 50 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Perfect
{0001}
{0001}
Density:
6.2 - 7.0 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.704 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Paraguanajuatite
Anisotropism:
distinct
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 46.9% | 56.2% |
| 420nm | 47.5% | 56.6% |
| 440nm | 48.0% | 56.8% |
| 460nm | 48.6% | 57.2% |
| 480nm | 49.3% | 57.7% |
| 500nm | 49.9% | 58.0% |
| 520nm | 50.2% | 58.1% |
| 540nm | 50.3% | 58.2% |
| 560nm | 50.2% | 58.1% |
| 580nm | 50.0% | 58.0% |
| 600nm | 49.7% | 57.8% |
| 620nm | 49.2% | 57.4% |
| 640nm | 48.6% | 56.8% |
| 660nm | 48.1% | 56.2% |
| 680nm | 47.4% | 55.5% |
| 700nm | 46.9% | 55.0% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 58.2%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Pale yellow, commonly tarnished lead-gray
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Distinct in air.
Chemistry of Paraguanajuatite
Mindat Formula:
Bi2Se3
Se may be replaced by minor S.
Se may be replaced by minor S.
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Paraguanajuatite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3m
Setting:
R3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.133 Å, c = 28.62 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 6.925
Unit Cell V:
423.38 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0013195 | Paraguanajuatite | Nakajima S (1963) The crystal structure of Bi2Te3-xSex Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids 24 479-485 | 1963 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.03 Å | (100) |
| 2.23 Å | (60) |
| 1.404 Å | (40) |
| 4.80 Å | (30) |
| 2.07 Å | (30) |
| 1.907 Å | (30) |
| 1.320 Å | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Type Occurrence of Paraguanajuatite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Intimately intergrown with guanajuatite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No defined type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Hydrothermal veins.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Paraguanajuatite
Relationship of Paraguanajuatite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Tetradymite Group:
| Baksanite | Bi6Te2S3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1 |
| Dulanggouite | Bi6Te3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1 |
| Ehrigite | Bi8Te3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Hedleyite | Bi7Te3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Ikunolite | Bi4S3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Ingodite | Bi2TeS | Trig. |
| Joséite-A | Bi4TeS2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Joséite-B | Bi4Te2S | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Kawazulite | Bi2Te2Se | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Laitakarite | Bi4(Se,S)3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Pilsenite | Bi4Te3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Skippenite | Bi2TeSe2 | Trig. |
| Sulphotsumoite | Bi3Te2S | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P31m |
| Tellurantimony | Sb2Te3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Tellurobismuthite | Bi2Te3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Telluronevskite | Bi3TeSe2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1 |
| Tetradymite | Bi2Te2S | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Tsumoite | BiTe | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P31m |
| Vihorlatite | Bi24Se17Te4 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1 |
| Zipserite | Bi5S4 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.DC.05 | Laitakarite | Bi4(Se,S)3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Telluronevskite | Bi3TeSe2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Hedleyite | Bi7Te3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Hitachiite | Pb5Bi2Te2S6 |
| 2.DC.05 | Tellurantimony | Sb2Te3 |
| 2.DC.05 | 'Joséite' | Bi4TeS2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Tellurobismuthite | Bi2Te3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Joséite-A | Bi4TeS2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Joséite-B | Bi4Te2S |
| 2.DC.05 | Nevskite | Bi(Se,S) |
| 2.DC.05 | Tetradymite | Bi2Te2S |
| 2.DC.05 | 'Protojoséite' | Bi3(Te,S)2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Skippenite | Bi2TeSe2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Kawazulite | Bi2Te2Se |
| 2.DC.05 | 'UM1983-09-S:BiPbTe' | PbBi3S2Te |
| 2.DC.05 | Pilsenite | Bi4Te3 |
| 2.DC.05 | 'Sztrókayite' | Bi3TeS2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Baksanite | Bi6Te2S3 |
| 2.DC.05 | 'Joséite-C' | Bi16Te3S9 |
| 2.DC.05 | Vihorlatite | Bi24Se17Te4 |
| 2.DC.05 | Tsumoite | BiTe |
| 2.DC.05 | Ikunolite | Bi4S3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Ehrigite | Bi8Te3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Ingodite | Bi2TeS |
| 2.DC.05 | Sulphotsumoite | Bi3Te2S |
| 2.DC.15 | 'Castaingite' | CuMo2S5 |
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 Paraguanajuatite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3091.html
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References for Paraguanajuatite
Reference List:
Earley, J. W. (1950) Description and synthesis of the selenide minerals. American Mineralogist, 35 (5-6) 337-364
Berry, L. G., Thompson, R. M. (1962) X-Ray Powder Data for Ore Minerals: the Peacock Atlas. GSA Memoir 85. Geological Society of America doi:10.1130/mem85p.28
Nakajima, Seizo (1963) The crystal structure of Bi2Te3−xSex. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 24. 479-485 doi:10.1016/0022-3697(63)90207-5
Localities for Paraguanajuatite
Showing 15 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.
Brazil | |
| Menez +3 other references |
Canada | |
| Reyx et al. (1993) |
Finland | |
| Häkli et al. (1965) |
Germany | |
| Dill et al. (2010) |
Japan | |
| Shimizu et al. (1988) +1 other reference |
Mexico | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Ramdohr (1948) +2 other references |
Morocco | |
| Belkabir et al. (2008) |
Portugal | |
| Lundin Mining |
Russia | |
| Стрельников; МВ; Ханин; ДА; Япаскурт; ВО; Бритвин; СН; Плетнёв; ПА; et al. (n.d.) |
| Strelnikov M. V. et al. (2025) | |
| Pekov et al. (2026) | |
| Pekov (1998) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Rewitzer et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
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Kawazu mine, Rendaiji, Shimoda City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan