Volynskite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Volynskite
Igor S. Volynskii
Formula:
AgBiTe2
Colour:
Bright lead-gray
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Igor Sergeevich Volynskii (Игорь Сергеевич Волынский) (1900-1962), Institute of Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Rare Elements, Moscow, Russia.
Type Locality:
Matildite Group.
According to Zav'yalov (1985), volynskite is isostructural with bohdanowiczite.
Compare 'UM1984-40-Te:AgBi', 'UM1986-65-Te:AgBi', and 'Unnamed (Ag-Bi Telluride)' - the chemically related species.
According to Zav'yalov (1985), volynskite is isostructural with bohdanowiczite.
Compare 'UM1984-40-Te:AgBi', 'UM1986-65-Te:AgBi', and 'Unnamed (Ag-Bi Telluride)' - the chemically related species.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4205
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4205:1
IMA Classification of Volynskite
Approved
First published:
1965
Classification of Volynskite
2.JA.20
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
J : Sulfosalts of PbS archetype
A : Galena derivatives with little or no Pb
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
J : Sulfosalts of PbS archetype
A : Galena derivatives with little or no Pb
3.7.1.3
3 : SULFOSALTS
7 : ø = 2
3 : SULFOSALTS
7 : ø = 2
5.2.24
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vol | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Vol | 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 Volynskite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Bright lead-gray
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN25=42 - 66 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Perfect
One perfect, two imperfect
One perfect, two imperfect
Optical Data of Volynskite
Anisotropism:
Very weak; pale pink to gray.
Bireflectance:
Very weak.
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 56.4% | 58.1% |
| 420nm | 56.0% | 57.7% |
| 440nm | 55.6% | 57.3% |
| 460nm | 55.2% | 56.9% |
| 480nm | 54.6% | 56.3% |
| 500nm | 53.8% | 55.5% |
| 520nm | 53.2% | 54.9% |
| 540nm | 53.0% | 54.6% |
| 560nm | 53.4% | 54.7% |
| 580nm | 54.0% | 54.9% |
| 600nm | 54.6% | 55.1% |
| 620nm | 55.0% | 55.5% |
| 640nm | 55.3% | 55.6% |
| 660nm | 55.3% | 55.8% |
| 680nm | 55.3% | 55.8% |
| 700nm | 55.4% | 55.8% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 58.1%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Pale purplish.
Internal Reflections:
None.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Very slight in oil.
Chemistry of Volynskite
Mindat Formula:
AgBiTe2
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Cu
Crystallography of Volynskite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
P3m1
Setting:
P3m1
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.468(7) Å, c = 20.75(5) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 4.644
Unit Cell V:
358.74 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Massive
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001346 | Volynskite | Bayliss P (1991) Crystal chemistry and crystallography of some minerals in the tetradymite group American Mineralogist 76 257-265 |  | 1991 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.09 Å | (100) |
| 3.21 Å | (80) |
| 2.21 Å | (50) |
| 2.33 Å | (30) |
| 2.15 Å | (30) |
| 1.82 Å | (30) |
| 1.61 Å | (20) |
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 Volynskite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, 31g/1; A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 72064, vis249.
Other Language Names for Volynskite
Relationship of Volynskite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Matildite Group:
| Bohdanowiczite | AgBiSe2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1 |
| Matildite | AgBiS2 | Trig. 32 : P3121 |
Structurally related to group(s):
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 10 photos of Volynskite associated with Bornite | Cu5FeS4 |
| 3 photos of Volynskite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 2 photos of Volynskite associated with Hessite | Ag2Te |
| 2 photos of Volynskite associated with Rucklidgeite | PbBi2Te4 |
| 2 photos of Volynskite associated with Altaite | PbTe |
| 2 photos of Volynskite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Volynskite associated with Chalcocite | Cu2S |
| 2 photos of Volynskite associated with Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 1 photo of Volynskite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 1 photo of Volynskite associated with Stützite | Ag5-xTe3, x = 0.24-0.36 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.JA. | Ferdowsiite | Ag8(Sb5As3)S16 |
| 2.JA. | Luboržákite | Mn2AsSbS5 |
| 2.JA. | Sangenaroite | Ag8(Sb8-xAsx)SΣ16 |
| 2.JA.05a | Pavonite | AgBi3S5 |
| 2.JA.05b | Grumiplucite | HgBi2S4 |
| 2.JA.05c | Kudriavite | (Cd,Pb)Bi2S4 |
| 2.JA.05d | Cupromakovickyite | Cu4AgPb2Bi9S18 |
| 2.JA.05e | Benjaminite | Ag3Bi7S12 |
| 2.JA.05i | Livingstonite | HgSb4S6(S2) |
| 2.JA.05h | Mozgovaite | PbBi4S7 |
| 2.JA.05 | Dantopaite | Ag5Bi13S22 |
| 2.JA.05a | Cupropavonite | Cu0.9Ag0.5Pb0.6Bi2.5S5 |
| 2.JA.05 | Selenodantopaite | Ag5Bi13Se22 |
| 2.JA.05g | Borodaevite | Ag5(Bi,Pb,Fe)8(Sb,Bi)2S17 |
| 2.JA.05a | Cupromakopavonite | Ag3Cu8Pb4Bi19S38 |
| 2.JA.05d | Makovickyite | Cu1.12Ag0.81Pb0.27Bi5.35S9 |
| 2.JA.05f | Mummeite | Cu0.58Ag3.11Pb1.10Bi6.65S13 |
| 2.JA.10b | Kupčíkite | Cu3.4Fe0.6Bi5S10 |
| 2.JA.10d | Pizgrischite | (Cu,Fe)Cu14PbBi17S35 |
| 2.JA.10c | Hodrušite | Cu8Bi12S22 |
| 2.JA.10a | Cuprobismutite | Cu8AgBi13S24 |
| 2.JA.10e | Padĕraite | Cu7[(Cu,Ag)0.33Pb1.33Bi11.33]S22 |
| 2.JA.15 | Schapbachite | Ag0.4Pb0.2Bi0.4S |
| 2.JA.15 | Cuboargyrite | AgSbS2 |
| 2.JA.20 | Matildite | AgBiS2 |
| 2.JA.20 | Bohdanowiczite | AgBiSe2 |
Other Information
Notes:
Polishing hardness: Greater than chalcopyrite.
Polishing properties: Fairly good but pitted surface.
Polishing properties: Fairly good but pitted surface.
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 Volynskite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4205.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Volynskite
Reference List:
Fleischer, Michael (1964) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 49 (5-6) 816-821 as unnamed silver bismuth telluride
Harris, D. C., Sinclair, W. D., Thorpe, R. I. (1973) Telluride minerals from the Ashley Deposit, Bannockburn Township, Ontario. The Canadian Mineralogist, 12 (1) 137-143
Localities for Volynskite
Showing 120 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 | |
| Brodtkorb (2002) +2 other references |
| Esquivel et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
Armenia (TL) | |
| Eksp. Metod. Issled. Rudnykh Mineralov +2 other references |
Australia | |
| Lehrmann (2012) |
| Lehrmann (2012) | |
| Ehrig et al. (2012) |
| Kalleske (2010) |
| Afifi et al. (1988) |
| Hudson et al. (1978) +1 other reference |
| - (2016) +3 other references |
Azerbaijan | |
| Int J Econ & Environ Geology Vol 1 (2) |
Canada | |
| Rhys (1993) +1 other reference |
| Roberts (2017) |
| Healy et al. (1990) |
| Vale SA |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Vale SA |
| Vale SA |
| Ames et al. (2003) +1 other reference |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Harris et al. (1973) +2 other references |
| Neyedley et al. (2026) |
| Fraser (1993) +1 other reference |
| Kasprowicz (2023) |
China | |
| Cui et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
| Wang et al. (2019) +1 other reference |
| Zhang et al. (2024) |
| Vikent'ev et al. (2015, June) |
| Chang et al. (2022) |
| Zhenkuan Luo et al. (1992) | |
| Zhenkuan Luo et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
| Liu et al. (2019) |
| preprint | |
| Junfeng Shi (1998) +1 other reference |
| Cai et al. (2024) +1 other reference |
| Benhai Li et al. (1991) +1 other reference |
| Ru et al. (2025) |
| Zhenkuan Luo et al. (1985) +2 other references |
Cuba | |
| López K Jesús M. et al. (2006) |
Czech Republic | |
| Litochleb et al. (2000) |
Finland | |
| Hietanen (2015) |
| Luukkonen (1994) |
| Eilu (2003) |
| Kojonen et al. (1996) | |
| Gustafsson et al. (2019) |
| Fröhlich et al. (2021) |
| Hytönen (1999) |
| Kojonen | |
| Geological Survey of Finland 2008. Pampalo (Ward) +1 other reference | |
| Karinen |
| Hector et al. (2023) |
| Kinnunen |
Greece | |
| McFall et al. (2016) |
Greenland | |
| Petersen et al. (1993) |
Guyana | |
| Mahdia Gold Corporation |
| Gabriel Voicu (1999) | |
India | |
| Genkin et al. (1985) |
Ivory Coast | |
| Guillaume Vic (2015) |
Japan | |
| Shimada et al (1981) +1 other reference |
Kazakhstan | |
| Filimonova et al. (1986) +1 other reference |
Kenya | |
| Salimo (2013) |
Mongolia | |
| Władysław Zygo (2011) |
Morocco | |
| El Ghorfi et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
Norway | |
| McQueen (1990) |
| Størseth (2016) |
Peru | |
| Alfonso et al. (2023) |
Poland | |
| Mikulski (2005, January) |
| Kozłowski et al. (2022) |
Romania | |
| Cook et al. (2001) +1 other reference |
| Cook et al. (2001) |
| Cook et al. (2004) |
Russia | |
| Maslennikov et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
| Падучина et al. (2019) |
| Tseluyko et al. (2019) | |
| Chernyshov et al. (2009, November) |
| Izvekova et al. (2021) |
| Kasatkin et al. (2022) |
| Plotinskaya et al. (2020) |
| Vikent’eva +7 other references |
| Spiridonov et al. (the South Urals) |
| Plotinskaya et al. (2014) +1 other reference | |
| Novakov et al. (2021) |
| Kuznetsov et al. (2012) |
| Ivanyuk et al. (2018) +1 other reference |
| Kalinin (2021) |
| Bazai et al. (2009) |
| Чернявский et al. (2013) | |
| Kompanchenko et al. (2019) |
| V. I. Ivashchenko et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Kondratieva et al. (2021) +5 other references |
| Kondratieva et al. (2021) | |
| Kondratieva et al. (2021) +3 other references |
| Bortnikov et al. (2007) |
| Kuzhuget et al. (2020) |
| Kuzhuget et al. (2022) |
| Shadchin et al. (2024) |
Saudi Arabia | |
| Barrick Gold Corporation |
| Afifi et al. (1988) |
Sierra Leone | |
| Stenhouse et al. (2016) |
Sweden | |
| Alm +2 other references |
| Oen et al. (1984) +2 other references |
| Nordfeldt (2025) |
Tajikistan | |
| Central Asian Minerals and Resources plc |
USA | |
| Graeme (1993) |
| Graeme (1993) +2 other references | |
| Schumer et al. (2019) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| "Western Massachusetts Mineral ... |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) |
| - (2005) |
| Aird et al. (2021) |
| Foose |
| ID by microprobe on polished section |
Uzbekistan | |
| Umarov et al. (2023) |
| Kovalenker (2003) |
| Anthony et al. (1990) +3 other references | |
Zimbabwe | |
| Wilson et al. (2001) |
Quick NavTopAbout VolynskiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Glava copper mining field, Glava, Arvika, Värmland County, Sweden