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Petrovskaite

A valid IMA mineral species
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05725130017271925733554.jpg
Petrovskaite, etc.

Maikain Au deposit, Bayanaul District, Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan
05725130017271925733554.jpg
Petrovskaite, etc.

Maikain Au deposit, Bayanaul District, Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan
05725130017271925733554.jpg
Petrovskaite, etc.

Maikain Au deposit, Bayanaul District, Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan
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About PetrovskaiteHide

07710030017271925777082.jpg
Nina V. Petrovskaya
Formula:
AuAgS
Minor Se may replace S.
Colour:
Dark gray to nearly black
Lustre:
Dull
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
9.5 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
In honour of Nina Vasil’evna Petrovskaya (Нина Васильевна Петровская) (22 January 1910 – 15 March 1991), Russian mineralogist at the Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrology, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry, Moscow, Russia. She was a specialist in gold deposits.
Chemically similar to uytenbogaardtite; compare UM2002-13-S:AgAuSe.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
3177
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3177:2

IMA Classification of PetrovskaiteHide

Classification of PetrovskaiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
2.BA.75

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
A : With Cu, Ag, Au
Dana 8th ed.:
2.4.17.1

2 : SULFIDES
4 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 2:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:
3.3.6

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

Physical Properties of PetrovskaiteHide

Lustre:
Dull
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Dark gray to nearly black
Streak:
Dark gray, sometimes with reddish brown tint
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=39.9 - 47.8 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Density:
9.5 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of PetrovskaiteHide

Anisotropism:
Slight
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)
440nm27.7%
460nm28.1%
480nm28.3%
500nm28.6%
520nm28.8%
540nm28.7%
560nm28.9%
580nm28.6%
600nm28.3%
620nm27.8%
640nm27.3%
660nm26.9%
680nm26.7%
700nm27.0%
720nm27.1%
740nm27.3%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 28.9%.

Chemistry of PetrovskaiteHide

Mindat Formula:
AuAgS

Minor Se may replace S.
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Ag32.018 %
S9.518 %

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

Crystallography of PetrovskaiteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.943(9) Å, b = 6.670(9) Å, c = 7.221(9) Å
β = 95.68(7)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.741 : 1 : 1.083
Unit Cell V:
236.91 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
fine-grained rims, to 20 µm, on gold.
Comment:
Point Group: 2/m, 2, or m; Space Group: P2/m, P2, or Pm.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.77 Å(10)
2.63 Å(5)
2.39 Å(4)
2.254 Å(4)
1.471 Å(4)
7.25 Å(3)
3.87 Å(3)
Comments:
Synthetic

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 PetrovskaiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Maikain Au deposit, Bayanaul District, Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan
General Appearance of Type Material:
Fine-grained rims (10-20 µm) on native gold.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Central Siberian Geological Museum, Novosibirsk, Russia, III-70/1.
Mineralogical Museum, St. Petersburg University, St. Petersburg, Russia, 17109.
Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia, 2006/1.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Gold deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
ChlorargyriteNative Gold
Reference:
Nesterenko, G.V., Kuznetsova, A.I., Pal´chik, N.A., Lavrent´ev, Y.G. (1984) Petrovskaite, AuAg(S,Se), a new selenium-containing sulfide of gold and silver. Zapiski Vsesoyuznogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva: 113(5): 602-607.

Synonyms of PetrovskaiteHide

Other Language Names for PetrovskaiteHide

Simplified Chinese:硒硫银金矿
Spanish:Petrovskaita

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Petrovskaite associated with Native GoldAu

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.BA.MakotoiteAg12(Cu3Au)S8Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c
2.BA.AlburniteAg8GeTe2S4Iso.
2.BA.DzierżanowskiteCaCu2S2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
2.BA.XuwenyuaniteAg9Fe3+Te2S4Iso. 43m : F43m
2.BA.'Orileyite'(Fe,Cu)2As
2.BA.JuxingiteBi6Cu+138Cu2+2Fe3+30S125Iso. 43m : F43m
2.BA.05DjurleiteCu31S16Mon. 2/m
2.BA.05GeeriteCu8S5Trig. 3
2.BA.05RoxbyiteCu58S32Tric. 1 : P1
2.BA.05ChalcociteCu2SMon. 2/m : P21/b
2.BA.10DigeniteCu9S5Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
2.BA.10AniliteCu7S4Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
2.BA.15BorniteCu5FeS4Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
2.BA.20BellidoiteCu2SeTet. 4/m : P42/n
2.BA.20BerzelianiteCu2-xSe (x ≈ 0.12)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
2.BA.25AthabascaiteCu5Se4Orth.
2.BA.25UmangiteCu3Se2Tet. 42m : P421m
2.BA.30RickarditeCu7Te5Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmn
2.BA.30WeissiteCu2-xTeHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mmm
2.BA.35AcanthiteAg2SMon. 2/m : P21/m
2.BA.35SpryiteAg8(As3+0.5As5+0.5)S6Orth. mm2 : Pna21
2.BA.40d'UM2003-13-S:AgAuCu'Ag6AuCu2S5
2.BA.40MckinstryiteAg5-xCu3+xS4Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
2.BA.40StromeyeriteAgCuSOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.BA.42HoneaiteAu3TlTe2 Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcm
2.BA.45JalpaiteAg3CuS2Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/amd
2.BA.45SelenojalpaiteAg3CuSe2Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/amd
2.BA.45KuriliteAg8Te3SeTrig. 3 : R3
2.BA.47Spiridonovite(Cu1-xAgx)2TeTrig. 3m(32/m) : P3c1
2.BA.50WuyanzhiiteCu2STet. 422 : P43212
2.BA.50EucairiteAgCuSeOrth.
2.BA.52'Argentite'Ag2SIso.
2.BA.55NaumanniteAg2SeOrth. 222 : P212121
2.BA.55AguilariteAg4SeSMon. 2/m
2.BA.60ChenguodaiteAg9Fe3+Te2S4Orth.
2.BA.60HessiteAg2TeMon. 2/m : P21/b
2.BA.60CervelleiteAg4TeSMon. 2/m
2.BA.65Henryite(Cu,Ag)3+xTe2 , with x ~ 0.40Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3c
2.BA.65StütziteAg5-xTe3, x = 0.24-0.36Hex. 6 : P6
2.BA.70ArgyroditeAg8GeS6Orth. mm2 : Pna21
2.BA.70Putzite(Cu4.7Ag3.3)GeS6Iso. 43m : F43m
2.BA.70CanfielditeAg8SnS6Orth. mm2 : Pna21
2.BA.75FischesseriteAg3AuSe2Iso. 432 : I4132
2.BA.75UytenbogaardtiteAg3AuS2Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c
2.BA.75Penzhinite(Ag,Cu)4Au(S,Se)4Hex. 622 : P6322
2.BA.75PetziteAg3AuTe2Iso. 432 : I4132
2.BA.80Bezsmertnovite(Au,Ag)4Cu(Te,Pb)Orth.
2.BA.80BilibinskitePbCu2Au3Te2Iso.
2.BA.80Bogdanovite(Au,Te,Pb)3(Cu,Fe)Iso.

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Does not react with FeCl3, KOH, or HCl. A brown film is formed with 1:1 HNO3.
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 PetrovskaiteHide

References for PetrovskaiteHide

Localities for PetrovskaiteHide

Showing 28 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.
Argentina
 
  • San Juan Province
    • Iglesia Department
      • Tudcum
        • Frontera mining district
Rudashevsky et al. (2018)
  • Santa Cruz Province
    • Lago Buenos Aires Department
      • Sascha Project
Smith (2009)
Brazil
 
  • Bahia
    • Maracás
      • Rio Jacaré layered complex
Campbell (2012)
Canada
 
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
    • Newfoundland
      • Burin Peninsula
Sparkes et al. (2016)
Dominican Republic
 
  • Sánchez Ramírez Province
    • Cotuí
Barrick Gold Corporation
Greece
 
  • Central Macedonia
    • Chalkidiki
      • Aristotelis
        • Kassandra mining district
McFall et al. (2016)
Italy
 
  • Lombardy
    • Varese Province
      • Cuasso al Monte
        • Cuasso al Piano
Gentile et al. (2023)
Kazakhstan (TL)
 
  • Pavlodar Region
    • Bayanaul District
Nesterenko et al. (1984) +3 other references
New Zealand
 
  • Waikato Region
    • Thames-Coromandel District
      • Hikuai
        • Broken Hills
Cocker et al. (2013)
Russia
 
  • Bashkortostan
    • Uchalinsky District
Vikent’ev et al. (2006) +4 other references
  • Chukotka Autonomous Okrug
    • Anadyrsky District
Zhuravkova et al. (2019)
  • Kamchatka Krai
    • Koryak Okrug
      • Karaginsky District
Zhegunov et al. (2022) +2 other references
Zhegunov et al. (2025)
Zhegunov et al. (2025)
        • Maletoyvayam ore field
Tolstykh et al. (2023)
    • Yelizovsky District
Tolstykh et al. (2022)
  • Magadan Oblast
    • Omsukchansky District
      • Engteri ore cluster
Пальянова et al. (2016)
Palyanova et al. (2016) +1 other reference
Volkov et al. (2016)
    • Severo-Evensky District
Volkov et al. (2021)
    • Susumansky District
Savva et al. (2014)
  • Tuva
    • Todzhinsky District
Shavekina et al. (2026)
Sierra Leone
 
  • Northern Province
    • Koinadugu District
Stenhouse et al. (2016)
Slovakia
 
  • Banská Bystrica Region
    • Žarnovica District
      • Hodruša-Hámre
        • Hodruša-Hámre mines
Chovan et al. (2016) +2 other references
      • Nová Baňa
Majzlan et al. (2018) +1 other reference
USA
 
  • Montana
    • Lewis and Clark County
      • Seven-Up Pete Mining District
Szarkowski (2019)
  • Washington
    • Chelan County
      • Wenatchee Mining District
Lasmanis (1995)
Uzbekistan
 
  • Tashkent Region
    • Ohangaron District
Khalmatov et al. (2020)
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