Erazoite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Erazoite
Formula:
Cu4SnS6
Colour:
Black
Lustre:
Metallic, Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
4.53 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named for Gabriel Erazo Fernández (b. 1943) a mining engineer and mineralogist. He was professor of geology, crystallography, and metallurgy at Copiapo University and was the first director of the Mineralogical Museum of Copiapo University from its opening in 1966 until 1991.
Known synthetic analogue. Structurally related to covellite.
NOTE on the type locality: in the IMA proposal and Min. Mag. list of approved minerals (Schlüter et al., 2015), the type locality was incorrectly given as Soledad mine. The correct type locality is the Chilena mine.
NOTE on the type locality: in the IMA proposal and Min. Mag. list of approved minerals (Schlüter et al., 2015), the type locality was incorrectly given as Soledad mine. The correct type locality is the Chilena mine.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
46492
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46492:1
IMA Classification of Erazoite
Approved
Approval year:
2014
First published:
2016
Type description reference:
Schlüter, Jochen, Malcherek, Thomas, Stanley, Chris, Dini, Maurizio, Donoso, Arturo Molina (2017) Erazoite, a new copper tin sulfide from the El Guanaco gold deposit, Antofagasta Province, Chile. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen Journal of Mineralogy and Geochemistry, 194 (1). 91-96 doi:10.1127/njma/2016/0028
Classification of Erazoite
2.CA.20
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
A : With Cu
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
A : With Cu
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Erz | 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 Erazoite
Metallic, Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Black
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Density:
4.53 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Erazoite
Anisotropism:
Strong, with characteristic orange-buff to deep red-brown to muddy green colours
Bireflectance:
Strong
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 22.0% | 27.0% |
| 420nm | 22.0% | 27.2% |
| 440nm | 21.9% | 27.4% |
| 460nm | 21.9% | 27.6% |
| 470nm | 21.9% | 27.8% |
| 480nm | 21.9% | 28.0% |
| 500nm | 21.6% | 27.9% |
| 520nm | 21.0% | 27.5% |
| 540nm | 20.5% | 26.9% |
| 546nm | 20.4% | 26.8% |
| 560nm | 20.0% | 26.5% |
| 580nm | 19.7% | 26.6% |
| 589nm | 19.7% | 27.2% |
| 600nm | 19.6% | 27.9% |
| 620nm | 19.7% | 29.4% |
| 640nm | 20.1% | 30.3% |
| 650nm | 20.3% | 30.3% |
| 660nm | 20.4% | 30.3% |
| 680nm | 20.4% | 30.1% |
| 700nm | 20.4% | 29.8% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 30.3%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Grey
Internal Reflections:
None
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Distinct, pinkish to gray.
Chemistry of Erazoite
Mindat Formula:
Cu4SnS6
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Erazoite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3m
Setting:
R3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.756(8) Å, c = 32.91(4) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 8.762
Unit Cell V:
402.1 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Tiny roundish crystal aggregates.
Comment:
Crystal Structure
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0020419 | Erazoite | Chen X a, Wada H, Sato A (1999) Preparation, crystal structure and electrical properties of Cu4SnS6 Materials Research Bulletin 34 239-247 | 1999 | Synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.664 Å | (8) |
| 3.265 Å | (8) |
| 3.022 Å | (100) |
| 2.313 Å | (7) |
| 1.999 Å | (10) |
| 1.877 Å | (47) |
| 1.667 Å | (13) |
| 1.592 Å | (12) |
Reference:
Schlüter, Jochen, Malcherek, Thomas, Stanley, Chris, Dini, Maurizio, Donoso, Arturo Molina (2017) Erazoite, a new copper tin sulfide from the El Guanaco gold deposit, Antofagasta Province, Chile. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen Journal of Mineralogy and Geochemistry, 194 (1). 91-96 doi:10.1127/njma/2016/0028
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 Erazoite
General Appearance of Type Material:
As tiny black roundish crystal aggregates enclosed in baryte crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
In the collections of the Mineralogical Museum of the University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 48, D-20146 Hamburg, Germany, specimen number MD 717.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Schlüter, Jochen, Malcherek, Thomas, Stanley, Chris, Dini, Maurizio, Donoso, Arturo Molina (2017) Erazoite, a new copper tin sulfide from the El Guanaco gold deposit, Antofagasta Province, Chile. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen Journal of Mineralogy and Geochemistry, 194 (1). 91-96 doi:10.1127/njma/2016/0028
Synonyms of Erazoite
Other Language Names for Erazoite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Erazoite associated with Goldfieldite | (Cu4◻2)(Cu4Cu+2)Te4S12S |
| 1 photo of Erazoite associated with Enargite | Cu3AsS4 |
| 1 photo of Erazoite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 1 photo of Erazoite associated with Bismuthinite | Bi2S3 |
| 1 photo of Erazoite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 1 photo of Erazoite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.CA.05d | Yarrowite | Cu9S8 |
| 2.CA.05a | Covellite | CuS |
| 2.CA.05c | Spionkopite | Cu39S28 |
| 2.CA.05b | Klockmannite | CuSe |
| 2.CA.10 | Nukundamite | Cu3.33Fe0.66S4 |
| 2.CA.15 | Calvertite | Cu5Ge0.5S4 |
| 2.CA.25 | Grokhovskyite | CuCrS2 |
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 Erazoite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-46492.html
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References for Erazoite
Reference List:
Chen, X.-a, Wada, H, Sato, A (1999) Preparation, crystal structure and electrical properties of Cu4SnS6. Materials Research Bulletin, 34 (2). 239-247 doi:10.1016/s0025-5408(99)00013-6
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2015) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2014 and 2015. Newsletter No 23. Mineralogical Magazine, 79 (1) 51-58 doi:10.1180/minmag.2015.079.1.05
Schlüter, Jochen, Malcherek, Thomas, Stanley, Chris, Dini, Maurizio, Donoso, Arturo Molina (2017) Erazoite, a new copper tin sulfide from the El Guanaco gold deposit, Antofagasta Province, Chile. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen Journal of Mineralogy and Geochemistry, 194 (1). 91-96 doi:10.1127/njma/2016/0028
Localities for Erazoite
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.
Chile (TL) | |
| Schlüter et al. (2017) |
| Williams et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout ErazoiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Chilena Mine, Guanaco Mine, Taltal, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chile