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Selenostephanite

A valid IMA mineral species
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08752160017271926475557.jpg
Selenostephanite, etc.

Rudnaya Sopka Ag-Au deposit, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
08752160017271926475557.jpg
Selenostephanite, etc.

Rudnaya Sopka Ag-Au deposit, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
08752160017271926475557.jpg
Selenostephanite, etc.

Rudnaya Sopka Ag-Au deposit, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
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About SelenostephaniteHide

Formula:
Ag5SbSe4
Colour:
Gray-black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
7.5 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
The name is derived from its selenium content and relationship to stephanite.
The selenium analogue of stephanite (also orthorhombic, but crystallises in a different space group).


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
3612
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3612:8

IMA Classification of SelenostephaniteHide

Classification of SelenostephaniteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
2.GB.10

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
B : Neso-sulfarsenites, etc. with additional S
Dana 8th ed.:
3.2.4.2

3 : SULFOSALTS
2 : ø = 4
Hey's CIM Ref.:
5.2.22

5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
2 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Ag

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

Physical Properties of SelenostephaniteHide

Lustre:
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Gray-black
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN20=95 - 116 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Density:
7.5 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of SelenostephaniteHide

Anisotropism:
Brownish-gray and gray.
Bireflectance:
Visible, grayish-greenish tints.
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)R2 (%)
420nm33.3%34.8%
520nm33.6%36.0%
580nm32.6%34.8%
640nm31.0%33.0%
700nm30.4%32.3%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 36.0%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Grayish-white with olive tint.
Internal Reflections:
None

Chemistry of SelenostephaniteHide

Mindat Formula:
Ag5SbSe4
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Ag55.207 %
Se32.330 %
Sb12.463 %

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

Crystallography of SelenostephaniteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
222 - Disphenoidal
Space Group:
P212121
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.86 Å, b = 11.84 Å, c = 8.92 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.664 : 1 : 0.753
Unit Cell V:
830.12 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.96 Å(100)
2.64 Å(90)
2.28 Å(90)
2.23 Å(90)
1.918 Å(90b)
1.888 Å(90b)

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 SelenostephaniteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Rudnaya Sopka Ag-Au deposit, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
General Appearance of Type Material:
Platy crystals, in irregular aggregates to 0.08 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Central Institute for Geological Exploration for Base and Precious Metals, Moscow; A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 82774.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Quartz and adularia-quartz veins in altered acid volcanic rock.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
'Adularia'Clausthalite'Electrum'MiargyriteQuartz
Reference:
Botova, M.M., Sandomirskaya, S.M., Tschuvikina, N.G. (1985) Selenostephanite Ag5Sb(Se,S)4—a new mineral. Zapiski Vserossiyskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva: 114: 627-630.

Synonyms of SelenostephaniteHide

Other Language Names for SelenostephaniteHide

Simplified Chinese:硒脆银矿

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Selenostephanite associated with MiargyriteAgSbS2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.GB.'Polybasite-Tac'[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
2.GB.Kenoargentotetrahedrite-(Zn)[Ag6]4+(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12◻Iso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Argentotetrahedrite-(Hg)Ag6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Annivite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Bi4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Pošepnýite(Cu+3◻3)(Hg2+4Cu+2)Sb4Se12(Se0.5◻0.5)Iso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Tennantite-(Cu)Cu6(Cu4Cu2)As4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Argentopolybasite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9AgS4]Trig. 32 : P321
2.GB.Tennantite-(Mn)Cu6(Cu4Mn2)As4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Argentotetrahedrite-(Cd)Ag6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Stibioústalečite(Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(Sb2Te2)Se12SeIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Stibiogoldfieldite(Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(Sb2Te2)S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Argentotetrahedrite-(Zn)Ag6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Tetrahedrite-(Cd)Cu6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Arsenogoldfieldite(Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(As2Te2)S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Arsenoústalečite(Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(As2Te2)Se12SeIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Tennantite-(In)Cu6(Cu5In)As4S13Iso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Zvěstovite-(Fe)Ag6(Ag4Fe2+2)As4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Hakite-(Fe)Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4Se12SeIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Tennantite-(Cd)Cu6(Cu4Cd2)As4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.XKenorozhdestvenskayaite-(Fe)[Ag6]4+(Ag4Fe2+2)Sb4S12◻Iso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Tetrahedrite-(Cu)Cu6(Cu4Cu2+2)Sb4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Hakite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4Se12SeIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Zvěstovite-(Zn)Ag6(Ag4Zn2)As4S12SIso.
2.GB.Hakite-(Cd)Cu6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4Se12SeIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Kenoargentotennantite-(Fe)[Ag6]4+(Cu4Fe2)As4S12◻Iso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Tennantite-(Hg)Cu6(Cu4Hg2)As4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Tetrahedrite-(Mn)Cu6(Cu4Mn2)Sb4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Tennantite-(Ni)Cu6(Cu4Ni2)As4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.Tetrahedrite-(Ni)Cu6(Cu4Ni2)Sb4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.05Hakite-(Hg)Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4Se12SeIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.05Rozhdestvenskayaite-(Zn)Ag6(Ag4Zn2)Sb4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.05Argentotennantite-(Zn)Ag6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.05Argentotennantite-(Fe)Ag6(Cu4Fe2)As4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.05Freibergite Subgroup(Ag6,[Ag6]4+)(Cu4 C2+2)Sb4S12S0-1Iso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.05Tennantite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.05Tennantite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12SIso. 43m : F43m
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.05Tennantite-(Fe)Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)As4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite-(Fe)Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite-(Hg)Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.05Kenoargentotetrahedrite-(Fe)[Ag6]4+(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4S12◻Iso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.05Giraudite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4Se12SeIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.05Argentotetrahedrite-(Fe)Ag6(Cu4Fe2)Sb4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.05Goldfieldite(Cu4◻2)(Cu4Cu+2)Te4S12SIso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.05'UM1992-21-S:AgFeSb'Ag6(Ag4Fe2+2)Sb4S12SIso.
2.GB.10StephaniteAg5SbS4Orth. mm2 : Cmc21
2.GB.15'UM2003-14-S:AgBiFeTe'Ag16FeBiTe3S8
2.GB.15'UM1979-17-S:BiCuFe'~Cu18Fe4BiS16
2.GB.15Pearceite[Ag6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15ArgentopearceiteAg16As2S11Trig. 32 : P321
2.GB.15Cupropolybasite[Cu6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m : P31m
2.GB.15Fengruiite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS2Te2]Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15Auropearceite [Ag9AuS4][Ag6As2S7]Trig. 32 : P321
2.GB.15Selenopolybasite[(Ag,Cu)6(Sb,As)2(S,Se)7][Ag9Cu(S,Se)2Se2]Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15Polybasite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.GB.15Auropolybasite[Ag9AuS4][Ag6Sb2S7]Trig. 32 : P321
2.GB.15Cupropearceite[Cu6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
2.GB.20Vorontsovite(Hg5Cu)Σ6TlAs4S12Iso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.20Ferrovorontsovite(Fe5Cu)Σ6TlAs4S12Iso. 43m : I43m
2.GB.20Galkhaite(Hg5Cu)CsAs4S12Iso. 43m : I43m

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Becomes dark in FeCl and brown in concentrated HNO3. No reaction with concentrated KCl, KOH, or HCl.
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 SelenostephaniteHide

References for SelenostephaniteHide

Localities for SelenostephaniteHide

Showing 7 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.
Russia (TL)
 
  • Chukotka Autonomous Okrug
Pekov (1998)
  • Magadan Oblast
    • Omsukchansky District
      • Engteri ore cluster
Пальянова et al. (2016)
Palyanova et al. (2016) +1 other reference
Volkov et al. (2016)
Slovakia
 
  • Banská Bystrica Region
    • Žarnovica District
      • Nová Baňa
Vlasáč et al. (2025)
Vlasáč et al. (2025) +1 other reference
USA
 
  • Idaho
    • Custer County
 ...
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