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Argentopearceite

A valid IMA mineral species
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02298190017727357266553.png
Argentopearceite, etc.

Moldava deposit, Moldava, Teplice District, Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic
01342860017863271788861.jpg
Argentopearceite

Moldava, Teplice District, Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic
07246770017271996071927.jpg
Argentopearceite

Moldava deposit, Moldava, Teplice District, Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic
02045410017271953898429.png
Argentopearceite, etc.

Moldava deposit, Moldava, Teplice District, Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic
00903860017829089243278.jpg
Argentopearceite

Moldava, Teplice District, Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic
05945310017271953903485.jpg
Argentopearceite

Moldava deposit, Moldava, Teplice District, Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic
02045410017271953898429.png
Argentopearceite, etc.

Moldava deposit, Moldava, Teplice District, Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic
01342860017863271788861.jpg
Argentopearceite

Moldava, Teplice District, Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic
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About ArgentopearceiteHide

Formula:
[Ag6As2S7][Ag9AgS4]
Colour:
steel grey to black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
6.29 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Ag-dominant analog of pearceite.
As the studied mineral from the Mikulov and Moldava deposits has As>Sb and the structural position "Cu" of the B module layer dominated by Ag, it has been named argentopearceite to indicate the Ag-dominant analog of pearceite. Moreover, as it exhibits the 221 unit-cell type, the full name for the polytype is argentopearceite-T2ac, the Ag-dominant analog of pearceite-T2ac.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
55110
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:55110:2

IMA Classification of ArgentopearceiteHide

Classification of ArgentopearceiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
2.GB.15

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

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

Physical Properties of ArgentopearceiteHide

Lustre:
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Steel grey to black
Comment:
tarnished to brown tints
Streak:
Greyish black
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
6.29 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of ArgentopearceiteHide

Anisotropism:
moderate with weak greenish and green-blue tints
Bireflectance:
not observed
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)R2 (%)
470nm27.3%30.0%
546nm26.6%29.3%
589nm26.2%28.8%
650nm25.9%28.1%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 30.0%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
grey with a greenish shade
Internal Reflections:
none
Pleochroism:
Weak

Chemistry of ArgentopearceiteHide

Mindat Formula:
[Ag6As2S7][Ag9AgS4]
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Ag77.448 %
S15.828 %
As6.724 %

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

Crystallography of ArgentopearceiteHide

Polytype:
Formula:
Crystal System:
Class (H-M)
Space Group:
Space Group Setting:
Cell Parameters:
Ratio:
Unit Cell Volume (calc):
Z:
Comment:
Argentopearceite-T2ac
Ag16As2S11
Trigonal 
32 - Trapezohedral
P321
P321
a = 14.8583(5) Å, c = 12.3038(15) Å
a:c = 1 : 0.828
V 2,352.38 ų
(Calculated from Unit Cell)
2
 

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Type Occurrence of ArgentopearceiteHide

Co-Type Localities:
ⓘ Lehnschafter mine, Mikulov, Teplice District, Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic
ⓘ Moldava deposit, Moldava, Teplice District, Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic
General Appearance of Type Material:
occurs as tabular (pseudo)hexagonal crystals up to 0.8 mm (Mikulov) and 3 mm (Moldava), their groups and aggregates up to 1 cm
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, National Museum in Prague, Cirkusová 1740, 19300 Prague 9, Czech Republic, catalogue number P1P 35/2020
The studied material (cotypes) from the Moldava deposit is deposited in the same collection under the catalog numbers P1N
64.380, P1N 66.881 and P1N 90.431.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
The ore district is represented by the quartz dominated As-Ag-Pb veins, located in gneisses of the crystalline mantle of Fláje granite massif.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
AcanthiteFluoriteProustiteQuartz
Reference:
Sejkora, Jiří; Plášil, Jakub; Makovicky, Emil; Škácha, Pavel; Dolníček, Zdeněk; Gramblička, Roman (2026) Argentopearceite, Ag16As2S11, a new silver mineral from the Mikulov and Moldava deposits, (Czech Republic). Mineralogical Magazine, 90 (1). 21-32 doi:10.1180/mgm.2025.10101

Synonyms of ArgentopearceiteHide

Other Language Names for ArgentopearceiteHide

Relationship of Argentopearceite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Pearceite-Polybasite Group
Other Members of Pearceite-Polybasite Group:
Argentopolybasite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9AgS4]Trig. 32 : P321
'Argentopolybasite-T2ac'Ag16Sb2S11Trig. 32 : P321
Auropearceite[Ag6As2S7][Ag9AuS4]Trig. 32 : P321
Auropolybasite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9AuS4]Trig. 32 : P321
Benleonardite[Ag6(Sb,As)2S6Te][Ag9Cu(S,Te)2Te2]Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
Cupropearceite[Cu6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
Cupropolybasite[Cu6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m : P31m
Fengruiite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS2Te2]Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
Pearceite[Ag6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
Polybasite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
Selenopolybasite[(Ag,Cu)6(Sb,As)2(S,Se)7][Ag9Cu(S,Se)2Se2]Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
5 photos of Argentopearceite associated with FluoriteCaF2
5 photos of Argentopearceite associated with BayldonitePbCu3(AsO4)2(OH)2
4 photos of Argentopearceite associated with AcanthiteAg2S
4 photos of Argentopearceite associated with MixiteBiCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O
1 photo of Argentopearceite associated with BeudantitePbFe3+3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6

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.10SelenostephaniteAg5SbSe4Orth. 222 : P212121
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.15Cupropolybasite[Cu6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m : P31m
2.GB.15Fengruiite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS2Te2]Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15Auropearceite[Ag6As2S7][Ag9AuS4]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[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9AuS4]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

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 ArgentopearceiteHide

References for ArgentopearceiteHide

Localities for ArgentopearceiteHide

Showing 8 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.
Czech Republic
 
  • Central Bohemian Region
    • Kutná Hora District
Pažout et al. (2026)
  • Ústí nad Labem Region
    • Teplice District
      • Mikulov
Miyawaki et al. (2020) +1 other reference
      • Moldava
- (Sejkora et al.) +4 other references
Slovakia
 
  • Banská Bystrica Region
    • Žarnovica District
      • Nová Baňa
Vlasáč et al. (2025)
Vlasáč et al. (2025) +1 other reference
    • Žiar nad Hronom District
      • Kremnica
Martin Števko-unpublished
Switzerland
 
  • Valais
    • Sierre
      • Anniviers
        • Saint-Luc
Ansermet et al. (2021)
USA
 
  • California
    • Alpine County
      • Silver Mountain Mining District
        • Silver Mountain
          • IXL Canyon (I.X.L. Canyon)
Bindi et al. (2023)
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