Eldragónite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Eldragónite
View of the El Dragón mine gallery entrance, in 1988.
El Dragón mine, Porco Municipality, Antonio Quijarro Province, Potosí, Bolivia
El Dragón mine, Porco Municipality, Antonio Quijarro Province, Potosí, Bolivia
Formula:
Cu6BiSe4(Se2)
Colour:
Brownish to light-maroon
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
6.76 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named for the type locality.
This page provides mineralogical data about Eldragónite.
Name Encoding
ASCII-7:
Eldragonite
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
41901
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:41901:9
IMA Classification of Eldragónite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu6BiSe4(Se2)
Approval year:
2011
First published:
2012
Type description reference:
Paar, W. H., Cooper, M. A., Moëlo, Y., Stanley, C. J., Putz, H., Topa, D., Roberts, A. C., Stirling, J., Raith, J. G., Rowe, R. (2012) Eldragónite, Cu6BiSe4(Se2), A new mineral species from the El Dragón Mine, Potosí, Bolivia, and its crystal structure. The Canadian Mineralogist, 50 (2). 281-294 doi:10.3749/canmin.50.2.281
Classification of Eldragónite
2.GA.55
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
A : Neso-sulfarsenites, etc. without additional S
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
A : Neso-sulfarsenites, etc. without additional S
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Eld | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Eld | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Eldragónite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Brownish to light-maroon
Streak:
Brownish black
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
6.76 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Eldragónite
Anisotropism:
Strongly with rotation tints in shades of orange and blue-black
Bireflectance:
Distinct
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) | imR1 (%) | imR2 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 32.0% | 32.6% | 17.2% | 17.9% |
| 420nm | 32.1% | 32.8% | 17.4% | 18.1% |
| 440nm | 32.2% | 33.4% | 17.5% | 18.7% |
| 460nm | 32.3% | 34.1% | 17.6% | 19.3% |
| 470nm | 32.5% | 34.5% | 17.7% | 19.7% |
| 480nm | 32.6% | 34.9% | 17.7% | 20.1% |
| 500nm | 32.8% | 35.5% | 17.8% | 20.6% |
| 520nm | 32.9% | 35.9% | 17.9% | 21.1% |
| 540nm | 32.95% | 36.2% | 18.0% | 21.4% |
| 546nm | 32.95% | 36.3% | 18.0% | 21.4% |
| 560nm | 33.0% | 36.5% | 18.1% | 21.5% |
| 580nm | 33.2% | 36.7% | 18.2% | 21.6% |
| 589nm | 33.3% | 36.8% | 18.3% | 21.6% |
| 600nm | 33.4% | 36.8% | 18.4% | 21.65% |
| 620nm | 33.7% | 36.9% | 18.7% | 21.7% |
| 640nm | 33.9% | 36.9% | 19.0% | 21.7% |
| 650nm | 34.0% | 36.9% | 19.1% | 21.7% |
| 660nm | 34.1% | 36.9% | 19.2% | 21.7% |
| 680nm | 34.4% | 36.9% | 19.3% | 21.7% |
| 700nm | 34.6% | 37.0% | 19.4% | 21.8% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 37.0%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red, imR1 shown in green, imR2 shown in blue
Internal Reflections:
Lacks internal reflections
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Distinct, light grayish brown to cream.
Chemistry of Eldragónite
Mindat Formula:
Cu6BiSe4(Se2)
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Eldragónite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.0341(4) Å, b = 27.056(3) Å, c = 9.5559(9) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.149 : 1 : 0.353
Unit Cell V:
1,042.99 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
As anhedral grains and polycrystalline aggregates attaining a size of up to 100 X 80 µm.
Twinning:
None observed
Comment:
Space group Pmcn (non-standard).
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.547 Å | (58) |
| 3.579 Å | (100) |
| 3.180 Å | (77) |
| 3.165 Å | (56) |
| 3.075 Å | (84) |
| 2.011 Å | (53) |
| 1.920 Å | (76) |
| 1.846 Å | (52) |
Reference:
Paar, W. H., Cooper, M. A., Moëlo, Y., Stanley, C. J., Putz, H., Topa, D., Roberts, A. C., Stirling, J., Raith, J. G., Rowe, R. (2012) Eldragónite, Cu6BiSe4(Se2), A new mineral species from the El Dragón Mine, Potosí, Bolivia, and its crystal structure. The Canadian Mineralogist, 50 (2). 281-294 doi:10.3749/canmin.50.2.281
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 Eldragónite
General Appearance of Type Material:
As inclusions in krutaite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Holotype is is deposited in the collections of the Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada, registered as CMNMC 86154.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A selenide vein a telethermal deposit hosted in sandstones and shales of Devonian age.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Paar, W. H., Cooper, M. A., Moëlo, Y., Stanley, C. J., Putz, H., Topa, D., Roberts, A. C., Stirling, J., Raith, J. G., Rowe, R. (2012) Eldragónite, Cu6BiSe4(Se2), A new mineral species from the El Dragón Mine, Potosí, Bolivia, and its crystal structure. The Canadian Mineralogist, 50 (2). 281-294 doi:10.3749/canmin.50.2.281
Synonyms of Eldragónite
Other Language Names for Eldragónite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 36 photos of Eldragónite associated with Clausthalite | PbSe |
| 27 photos of Eldragónite associated with Penroseite | (Ni,Co,Cu)Se2 |
| 25 photos of Eldragónite associated with Klockmannite | CuSe |
| 20 photos of Eldragónite associated with Kruťaite | CuSe2 |
| 16 photos of Eldragónite associated with Watkinsonite | Cu2PbBi4(Se,S,Te)8 |
| 12 photos of Eldragónite associated with Petrovicite | Cu3HgPbBiSe5 |
| 12 photos of Eldragónite associated with Quijarroite | Cu6HgPb2Bi4Se12 |
| 10 photos of Eldragónite associated with Umangite | Cu3Se2 |
| 5 photos of Eldragónite associated with Cerromojonite | CuPbBiSe3 |
| 5 photos of Eldragónite associated with Hansblockite | (Cu,Hg)(Bi,Pb)Se2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.GA. | Pyradoketosite | Ag3SbS3 |
| 2.GA. | Arsiccioite | AgHg2Tl(As,Sb)2S6 |
| 2.GA. | Eckerite | Ag2CuAsS3 |
| 2.GA.05 | Proustite | Ag3AsS3 |
| 2.GA.05 | Pyrargyrite | Ag3SbS3 |
| 2.GA.10 | Xanthoconite | Ag3AsS3 |
| 2.GA.10 | Pyrostilpnite | Ag3SbS3 |
| 2.GA.15 | Samsonite | Ag4MnSb2S6 |
| 2.GA.20 | Bytízite | Cu3SbSe3 |
| 2.GA.20 | Skinnerite | Cu3SbS3 |
| 2.GA.20 | Wittichenite | Cu3BiS3 |
| 2.GA.25 | Lapieite | NiCuSbS3 |
| 2.GA.25 | Lisiguangite | PtCuBiS3 |
| 2.GA.25 | Malyshevite | PdCuBiS3 |
| 2.GA.25 | Roterbärite | PdBiCuSe3 |
| 2.GA.25 | Mückeite | NiCu(Bi,Sb)S3 |
| 2.GA.30 | Aktashite | Cu6Hg3As4S12 |
| 2.GA.30 | Nowackiite | Cu6Zn3As4S12 |
| 2.GA.30 | Zhengminghuaite | Cu6Fe3As4S12 |
| 2.GA.30 | Gruzdevite | Cu6Hg3Sb4S12 |
| 2.GA.35 | Laffittite | AgHgAsS3 |
| 2.GA.40 | 'Unnamed (Ag-Fe endmember of Routhierite Group)' | AgFe2TlAs2S6 |
| 2.GA.40 | Routhierite | Tl(Cu,Ag)(Hg,Zn)2(As,Sb)2S6 |
| 2.GA.40 | Stalderite | Tl(Cu,Ag)(Zn,Fe,Hg)2(As,Sb)2S6 |
| 2.GA.40 | Ralphcannonite | AgZn2TlAs2S6 |
| 2.GA.40 | Ferrostalderite | CuFe2TlAs2S6 |
| 2.GA.45 | Erniggliite | Tl2SnAs2S6 |
| 2.GA.50 | Cerromojonite | CuPbBiSe3 |
| 2.GA.50 | Seligmannite | PbCuAsS3 |
| 2.GA.50 | Součekite | CuPbBi(S,Se)3 |
| 2.GA.50 | 'Unnamed (Pb-Cu-Bi Selenide)' | PbCuBiSe3 |
| 2.GA.50 | Bournonite | PbCuSbS3 |
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 Eldragónite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-41901.html
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References for Eldragónite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2011) IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) Newsletter 8. Mineralogical Magazine, 75 (2) 289-294 doi:10.1180/minmag.2011.075.2.289
Paar, W. H., Cooper, M. A., Moëlo, Y., Stanley, C. J., Putz, H., Topa, D., Roberts, A. C., Stirling, J., Raith, J. G., Rowe, R. (2012) Eldragónite, Cu6BiSe4(Se2), A new mineral species from the El Dragón Mine, Potosí, Bolivia, and its crystal structure. The Canadian Mineralogist, 50 (2). 281-294 doi:10.3749/canmin.50.2.281
Localities for Eldragónite
Showing 2 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.
Argentina | |
| Grundmann et al. (2018) |
Bolivia (TL) | |
| Paar et al. (2012) +2 other references |
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El Dragón mine, Porco Municipality, Antonio Quijarro Province, Potosí, Bolivia