Arcubisite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Arcubisite
Formula:
Ag6CuBiS4
Colour:
Gray
Lustre:
Metallic
Name:
For the composition - Argentum (silver), Cuprum (copper), and bismuth
This page provides mineralogical data about Arcubisite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
318
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:318:2
IMA Classification of Arcubisite
Approved
Approval year:
1973
First published:
1976
Classification of Arcubisite
2.LA.40
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
L : Unclassified Sulfosalts
A : Without essential Pb
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
L : Unclassified Sulfosalts
A : Without essential Pb
3.2.6.1
3 : SULFOSALTS
2 : ø = 4
3 : SULFOSALTS
2 : ø = 4
5.2.20
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
2 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Ag
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
2 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Ag
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Acb | 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 Arcubisite
Optical Data of Arcubisite
Anisotropism:
Distinct in air. Strong in oil, cream to bluish green
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 440nm | 33.6% | 33.4% |
| 460nm | 33.5% | 33.8% |
| 480nm | 33.1% | 33.6% |
| 500nm | 32.5% | 33.9% |
| 520nm | 32.1% | 33.2% |
| 540nm | 32.1% | 33.7% |
| 560nm | 31.8% | 33.7% |
| 580nm | 31.4% | 33.9% |
| 600nm | 31.2% | 33.7% |
| 620nm | 31.0% | 34.1% |
| 640nm | 31.0% | 33.5% |
| 660nm | 30.9% | 33.4% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 34.1%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Light gray with faint olive-brown tint
Chemistry of Arcubisite
Mindat Formula:
Ag6CuBiS4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Pb,Fe,Te
Crystallography of Arcubisite
Morphology:
Anhedral grains to 0.05mm
Comment:
Crystal Data: n.d.: Point Group: n.d.: Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| - Å | () |
Comments:
No published powder pattern data.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Type Occurrence of Arcubisite
General Appearance of Type Material:
In anhedral grains of 0.05 mm average diameter.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical Museum, University of Copenhagen 1973,114
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Cryolite deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Arcubisite
Other Language Names for Arcubisite
Dutch:Arcubisiet
French:Arcubisite
German:Arcubisit
Norwegian:Arcubisitt
Simplified Chinese:硫铋铜银矿
Spanish:Arcubisita
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.LA. | Thunderbayite | TlAg3Au3Sb7S6 |
| 2.LA. | Auerbakhite | MnTl2As2S5 |
| 2.LA. | Biagioniite | Tl2SbS2 |
| 2.LA. | Ferrofettelite | [Ag6As2S7][Ag10FeAs2S8] |
| 2.LA. | Gladkovskyite | MnTlAs3S6 |
| 2.LA.10 | Dervillite | Ag2AsS2 |
| 2.LA.15 | Daomanite | CuPtAsS2 |
| 2.LA.20 | Vaughanite | TlHgSb4S7 |
| 2.LA.25 | Criddleite | TlAg2Au3Sb10S10 |
| 2.LA.30 | Fettelite | [Ag6As2S7][Ag10HgAs2S8] |
| 2.LA.35 | Chaméanite | (Cu,Fe)4As(Se,S)4 |
| 2.LA.45 | Mgriite | Cu3AsSe3 |
| 2.LA.50 | Benleonardite | [Ag6(Sb,As)2S6Te][Ag9Cu(S,Te)2Te2] |
| 2.LA.55 | Tsnigriite | Ag9SbTe3S3 |
| 2.LA.60 | Borovskite | Pd3SbTe4 |
| 2.LA.65 | Jonassonite | AuBi5S4 |
| 2.LA.65 | Nuwaite | Ni6GeS2 |
| 2.LA.65 | Butianite | Ni6SnS2 |
| 2.LA.70 | Raberite | Tl5Ag4As6SbS15 |
| 2.LA.75 | Spaltiite | Tl2Cu2As2S5 |
Other Information
Notes:
The mineral is etched by FeCl3, HgCl2, KCN solutions and by HNO3 and HCl, but not by KOH solution
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 Arcubisite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-318.html
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External Links:
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References for Arcubisite
Reference List:
Karup-Møller, S. (1976) Arcubisite and mineral B — two new minerals from the cryolite deposit at Ivigtut, south Greenland. Lithos, 9 (4) 253-257 doi:10.1016/0024-4937(76)90016-5
Localities for Arcubisite
Showing 9 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.
China | |
| Xiong et al. (2022) |
| Xiang Chi (1999) |
Greenland (TL) | |
| Karup-Møller (1976) +1 other reference |
Iran | |
| Karimpour et al. (2005) |
Italy | |
| Frizzo et al. (2010) |
Russia | |
| Ivashchenko et al. (2011, September) |
Slovakia | |
| Chovan M. et al. (2021) |
| Mikuš et al. (2026) | |
| Chovan et al. (2016) +2 other references |
Quick NavTopAbout ArcubisiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Ivigtut Mine, Ivigtut stock, Arsuk Fjord, Sermersooq, Greenland