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Vulcanite

A valid IMA mineral species
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03968780017697982398764.jpg
Vulcanite, etc.

Good Hope Mine, Vulcan, Vulcan Mining District, Gunnison County, Colorado, USA
04224950017697982402212.jpg
Vulcanite, etc.

Good Hope Mine, Vulcan, Vulcan Mining District, Gunnison County, Colorado, USA
04440970017697982418550.jpg
Vulcanite, etc.

Good Hope Mine, Vulcan, Vulcan Mining District, Gunnison County, Colorado, USA
01375370017695499471825.jpg
Vulcanite, etc.

Good Hope Mine, Vulcan, Vulcan Mining District, Gunnison County, Colorado, USA
09821980017695503494008.jpg
Vulcanite, etc.

Good Hope Mine, Vulcan, Vulcan Mining District, Gunnison County, Colorado, USA
09253860017695509498638.jpg
Vulcanite, etc.

Good Hope Mine, Vulcan, Vulcan Mining District, Gunnison County, Colorado, USA
03968780017697982398764.jpg
Vulcanite, etc.

Good Hope Mine, Vulcan, Vulcan Mining District, Gunnison County, Colorado, USA
04224950017697982402212.jpg
Vulcanite, etc.

Good Hope Mine, Vulcan, Vulcan Mining District, Gunnison County, Colorado, USA
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About VulcaniteHide

08788290017271927536009.jpg
Vulcan, Colorado, USA

Vulcan, Vulcan Mining District, Gunnison County, Colorado, USA
Formula:
CuTe
Colour:
Bronze-yellow
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
1 - 2
Specific Gravity:
7.1 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
According to the type description, vulcanite is named for "the locality of the mine", but it is unclear whether this refers to the town of Vulcan, located near the mine, or the Vulcan mining district.
This page provides mineralogical data about Vulcanite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
4213
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4213:6

Similar NamesHide

IMA Classification of VulcaniteHide

Classification of VulcaniteHide

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

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
B : With Zn, Fe, Cu, Ag, etc.
Dana 8th ed.:
2.8.13.1

2 : SULFIDES
8 : AmXp, with m:p = 1:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:
3.1.18

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
1 : Sulphides etc. of Cu

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

Pronunciation of VulcaniteHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of VulcaniteHide

Lustre:
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Bronze-yellow
Hardness:
1 - 2 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN50=34 - 40 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Sectile
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
One direction parallel to the length of the lath-shaped grains; another direction, less prominent, perpendicular to the first.
Density:
7.1 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of VulcaniteHide

Anisotropism:
very strong: brilliant yellow-white, grayish yellow-white, yellow-orange to gray
Bireflectance:
very strong
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)R2 (%)
400nm25.6%30.7%
420nm24.4%30.0%
440nm23.0%30.5%
460nm21.3%37.0%
480nm19.7%47.9%
500nm18.1%56.8%
520nm16.6%63.4%
540nm15.2%67.8%
560nm13.8%70.8%
580nm12.7%73.1%
600nm11.8%74.9%
620nm11.3%76.4%
640nm11.2%77.4%
660nm11.6%78.2%
680nm12.9%78.9%
700nm15.0%79.3%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 79.3%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
bright yellow or yellow-white to medium blue-gray
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
bright yellow to blue-gray

Chemistry of VulcaniteHide

Mindat Formula:
CuTe
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Te66.755 %
Cu33.245 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Cu, Te - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of VulcaniteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.09 Å, b = 6.95 Å, c = 3.15 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.588 : 1 : 0.453
Unit Cell V:
89.54 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Twinning:
Very thin twin lamellae at approximately 45◦ to the prominent cleavage in some grains.
Comment:
Space Group: Pmnm.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0015547VulcaniteBaranova R V, Pinsker Z G (1964) Study of the copper-tellurium system in thin films Soviet Physics Crystallography 9 83-851964synthetic0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.03 Å(100)
2.86 Å(70)
3.52 Å(60)
6.94 Å(40)
3.47 Å(30)
2.65 Å(30)
2.32 Å(30)

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 VulcaniteHide

Other Language Names for VulcaniteHide

Dutch:Vulcaniet
German:Vulcanit
Simplified Chinese:软碲铜矿
Spanish:Vulcanita

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
15 photos of Vulcanite associated with RickarditeCu7Te5
13 photos of Vulcanite associated with PyriteFeS2
12 photos of Vulcanite associated with HematiteFe2O3
12 photos of Vulcanite associated with Native TelluriumTe
10 photos of Vulcanite associated with QuartzSiO2
1 photo of Vulcanite associated with Goldfieldite(Cu4◻2)(Cu4Cu+2)Te4S12S

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.CB.RichardsiteZn2CuGaS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.OkruginiteCu2SnSe3Mon. m : Bb
2.CB.HanswilkeiteKFeS2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
2.CB.AuroselenideAuSeMon. 2/m : B2/m
2.CB.Ruizhongite(Ag2◻)Pb3Ge2S8Iso. 43m : I43d
2.CB.AgmantiniteAg2MnSnS4Orth.
2.CB.TolstykhiteAu3S4Te6Tric. 1 : P1
2.CB.GachingiteAu(Te1-xSex)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.05aHawleyiteCdSIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05'UM1998-15-S:CuFeZn'Cu2Fe3Zn5S10
2.CB.05aColoradoiteHgTeIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aMetacinnabarHgSIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aTiemanniteHgSeIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aSphaleriteZnSIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05bSakuraiite(Cu,Zn,Fe)3(In,Sn)S4 Iso.
2.CB.05cPolhemusite(Zn,Hg)STet.
2.CB.05aRudashevskyite(Fe,Zn)SIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aStilleiteZnSeIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aIshiharaite(Cu,Ga,Fe,In,Zn)SIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.07a'Unnamed (Cu-Mn-Sn Sulphide)'Cu2MnSnS4
2.CB.07aShenzhuangiteNiFeS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10bTalnakhiteCu9(Fe,Ni)8S16Iso. 43m : I43m
2.CB.10bHaycockiteCu4Fe5S8Orth. 222
2.CB.10aLenaiteAgFeS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10aGalliteCuGaS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10aRoquesiteCuInS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10aEskeborniteCuFeSe2Tet. 42m : P42c
2.CB.10a'UM1984-30-S:CuFeSn'Cu2Fe2Sn3S7
2.CB.10cOmariniiteCu8Fe2ZnGe2S12Orth. 222 : I222
2.CB.10aChalcopyriteCuFeS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10a'Unnamed (Cu-Zn-In Sulphide)'CuZn2InS4
2.CB.10bMooihoekiteCu9Fe9S16Tet. 42m : P42m
2.CB.10aLaforêtiteAgInS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10bPutoraniteCu1.1Fe1.2S2Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pn3m
2.CB.15aVelikiteCu2HgSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15c'UM2006-11-S:CuFeGeZn'Cu8(Fe,Zn)3Ge2S12 (?)
2.CB.15aHocartiteAg2(Fe2+,Zn)SnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.15aKësteriteCu2ZnSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15aPirquitasiteAg2ZnSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15aStanniteCu2FeSnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.15cStannoiditeCu+6Cu2+2(Fe2+,Zn)3Sn2S12Orth. 222 : I222
2.CB.15bMohiteCu2SnS3Mon.
2.CB.15aČernýiteCu2CdSnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.15aIdaiteCu5FeS6Hex.
2.CB.15aFerrokësteriteCu2FeSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15aKuramiteCu3SnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.17a v'Arsenic-bearing Renierite'Cu11GeAsFe4S16
2.CB.20MawsoniteCu6Fe2SnS8Tet. 42m : P4m2
2.CB.20ChatkaliteCu6FeSn2S8Tet. 42m : P4m2
2.CB.30'Frieseite'Ag2Fe5S8 (?)
2.CB.30NekrasoviteCu26V2(Sn,As,Sb)6S32Iso. 43m : P43n
2.CB.30'Argyropyrite'near Ag2Fe7S11
2.CB.30MaikainiteCu20(Fe,Cu)6Mo2Ge6S32Iso. m3m(4/m32/m)
2.CB.30ColusiteCu13VAs3S16Iso. 43m : P43n
2.CB.30GermaniteCu13Fe2Ge2S16Iso. 43m : P43n
2.CB.30GermanocolusiteCu26V2(Ge,As)6S32Iso. 43m : P43m
2.CB.30StibiocolusiteCu13V(Sb,Sn,As)3S16Iso. 43m : P43m
2.CB.30Ovamboite Cu20(Fe,Cu,Zn)6W2Ge6S32Iso. 43m : P43n
2.CB.35aMorozeviczite(Pb,Fe)3Ge1-xS4Iso.
2.CB.35aRenierite(Cu+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16Tet. 42m : P42c
2.CB.35aHemusiteCu6SnMoS8Iso.
2.CB.35bCatamarcaiteCu6GeWS8Hex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.35aVincienniteCu+7Cu2+3Fe2+2Fe3+2Sn(As,Sb)S16Tet.
2.CB.35aKiddcreekiteCu6SnWS8Iso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.35aPolkovicite(Fe,Pb)3(Ge,Fe)1-xS4Iso.
2.CB.40LautiteCuAsSOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
2.CB.42LingbaoiteAgTe3Trig. 3m : R3m
2.CB.45CadmoseliteCdSeHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45RambergiteMnSHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45Buseckite(Fe,Zn,Mn)SHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45MaletoyvayamiteAu3Se4Te6Tric. 1 : P1
2.CB.45GreenockiteCdSHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45Wurtzite(Zn,Fe)SHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.47MurchisiteCr5S6Trig. 3m(32/m) : P31c
2.CB.50'Zincselenide'ZnSe
2.CB.50WassoniteTiSTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
2.CB.52'Dzhezkazganite'ReMoCu2PbS6 ?Trig. 3m : R3m
2.CB.55bIsocubaniteCuFe2S3Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
2.CB.55aCubaniteCuFe2S3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.60RaguiniteTlFeS2Orth.
2.CB.60PicotpauliteTlFe2S3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
2.CB.65ArgentopyriteAgFe2S3Mon. 2/m
2.CB.65SternbergiteAgFe2S3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.70SulvaniteCu3VS4Iso. 43m : P43m
2.CB.80EmpressiteAgTeOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.85MuthmanniteAuAgTe2Mon. 2/m : P2/m

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Tests for Cu and Te positive. Etch tests: 1:1 HNO3 effervesces, staining dark gray; 1:7 HNO3 effervesces after about 20 seconds, stains brownish-gray, and brings out cleavage; HCl bleaches grayish-white; FeCl instantly darkens, staining light brown; KCN bleaches and then stains light brownish-gray; HgCl2 and KOH negative.
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 VulcaniteHide

References for VulcaniteHide

Localities for VulcaniteHide

Showing 16 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.
Bulgaria
 
  • Pazardzhik Province
    • Panagyurishte Municipality
      • Levski
Tsonev et al. (Eds.) +1 other reference
Chile
 
  • Coquimbo
    • Elqui Province
Ben Schumer Collection
China
 
  • Henan
    • Sanmenxia
      • Lingbao City
        • Qinling Mine
Zhenkuan Luo et al. (1999)
        • Xiaoqinling mining district
Shuzhang Tian et al. (1994)
  • Sichuan
    • Ya'an
      • Shimian County
Baohua Li et al. (1999)
Greece
 
  • South Aegean
    • Tinos
      • Tinos Island
Bonev et al. (2005) +2 other references
Indonesia
 
  • West Java Province
    • Garut Regency
Tun et al. (2015)
Japan
 
  • Kagoshima Prefecture
    • Satsumasendai City
      • Iriki
Anthony et al. (1990)
Norway
 
  • Troms og Finnmark
    • Kautokeino
Neumann (1985)
Russia
 
  • Kamchatka Krai
    • Koryak Okrug
      • Karaginsky District
Kovalenker et al. (2005) +1 other reference
  • Sverdlovsk Oblast
    • Nevyansky District
Anthony et al. (1990)
Saudi Arabia
 
  • Medina Region
Barrick Gold Corporation
Sweden
 
  • Gävleborg County
    • Ljusdal
Jonssona et al. (2022) +1 other reference
UK
 
  • Wales
    • Pembrokeshire
      • Wiston
Norton et al. (2000) +1 other reference
USA (TL)
 
  • Colorado
    • Gunnison County
      • Vulcan Mining District (Cebolla Mining District; Domingo Mining District)
        • Vulcan
Cameron et al. (1961)
Uzbekistan
 
  • Tashkent Region
    • Ohangaron District
Plotinskaya et al. (2006) +1 other reference
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