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Argentopolybasite

A valid IMA mineral species
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01604920017360845283079.jpg
Argentopolybasite

Kremnica Au-Ag deposit, Kremnica, Žiar nad Hronom District, Banská Bystrica Region, Slovakia
04110590017272473415387.jpg
Argentopolybasite, etc.

Kremnica Au-Ag deposit, Kremnica, Žiar nad Hronom District, Banská Bystrica Region, Slovakia
00765600017272044125553.jpg
Argentopolybasite, etc.

Kremnica Au-Ag deposit, Kremnica, Žiar nad Hronom District, Banská Bystrica Region, Slovakia
02573060017361052929090.jpg
Argentopolybasite

Kremnica Au-Ag deposit, Kremnica, Žiar nad Hronom District, Banská Bystrica Region, Slovakia
03894670017361052924401.jpg
Argentopolybasite, etc.

Kremnica Au-Ag deposit, Kremnica, Žiar nad Hronom District, Banská Bystrica Region, Slovakia
08664230017361052923977.jpg
Argentopolybasite, etc.

Kremnica Au-Ag deposit, Kremnica, Žiar nad Hronom District, Banská Bystrica Region, Slovakia
01604920017360845283079.jpg
Argentopolybasite

Kremnica Au-Ag deposit, Kremnica, Žiar nad Hronom District, Banská Bystrica Region, Slovakia
04110590017272473415387.jpg
Argentopolybasite, etc.

Kremnica Au-Ag deposit, Kremnica, Žiar nad Hronom District, Banská Bystrica Region, Slovakia
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About ArgentopolybasiteHide

Formula:
[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9AgS4]
Simplified Ag16Sb2S11.
Colour:
Dark grey to black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
6.403 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Isostructural with:
Argentopearceite
Currently, two polytypes are known: argentopolybasite-T2ac (Števko et al., 2023) and argentopolybasite-M2a2b2c (Bindi et al., 2023).


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
55908
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:55908:9

IMA Classification of ArgentopolybasiteHide

IMA status:
Approved
IMA Formula:
[Ag1+9Ag1+S2-4][Ag1+6Sb3+2S2-7]
Approval year:
2021

Classification of ArgentopolybasiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
2.GB.

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
Aplb-T2acIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of ArgentopolybasiteHide

Lustre:
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Dark grey to black
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
6.403 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of ArgentopolybasiteHide

Anisotropism:
weak greenish and green-blue tints.
Bireflectance:
None
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)R2 (%)
470nm30.3%31.0%
546nm28.8%29.3%
589nm28.1%28.6%
650nm27.4%27.8%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 31.0%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
gray
Pleochroism:
Weak

Chemistry of ArgentopolybasiteHide

Mindat Formula:
[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9AgS4]

Simplified Ag16Sb2S11.
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Ag74.324 %
S15.189 %
Sb10.487 %

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

Chemical AnalysisHide

Empirical formulas:
Sample IDEmpirical Formula
1(1) (Ag15.94Cu0.18)?16.12(Sb1.40As0.61)?2.01(S10.60Se0.25Cl0.03)?10.88; (2) Ag16.30(Sb1.74As0.22)?1.96(S10.69Cl0.04)?10.73; (3) (Ag15.54Cu0.38)?15.92(Sb1.56As0.51)?2.07S11.01
Sample references:
IDLocalityReferenceNotes
1Kremnica Au-Ag deposit, Kremnica, Žiar nad Hronom District, Banská Bystrica Region, Slovakia
by EPMA-WDS; 1 = Kremnica material, 2 = Nová Baňa material, 3 = Arykevaam material; empirical formulae basis: 29 apfu

Crystallography of ArgentopolybasiteHide

Polytype:
Formula:
Crystal System:
Class (H-M)
Space Group:
Space Group Setting:
Cell Parameters:
Ratio:
Unit Cell Volume (calc):
Z:
Comment:
Argentopolybasite-M2a2b2cArgentopolybasite-T2ac
[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9AgS4]Ag16Sb2S11
Monoclinic Trigonal 
2/m - Prismatic32 - Trapezohedral
B2/bP321
C2/c 
a = 26.384(2) Å, b = 15.232(1) Å, c = 24.148(2) Å
β = 90.030(10)°		a = 15.0646(5) Å, c = 12.2552(5) Å
a:b:c = 1.732 : 1 : 1.585a:c = 1 : 0.814
V 9,704.62 ų
(Calculated from Unit Cell)		V 2,408.61 ų
(Calculated from Unit Cell)
 2
  

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
12.169 Å(40)
3.162 Å(100)
3.045 Å(54)
2.881 Å(45)
2.4256 Å(28)

Synonyms of ArgentopolybasiteHide

Other Language Names for ArgentopolybasiteHide

Relationship of Argentopolybasite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Pearceite-Polybasite Group
Other Members of Pearceite-Polybasite Group:
ArgentopearceiteAg16As2S11Trig. 32 : P321
'Argentopolybasite-T2ac'Ag16Sb2S11Trig. 32 : P321
Auropearceite [Ag9AuS4][Ag6As2S7]Trig. 32 : P321
Auropolybasite[Ag9AuS4][Ag6Sb2S7]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:
1 photo of Argentopolybasite associated with Kenoargentotetrahedrite-(Fe)[Ag6]4+(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4S12◻
1 photo of Argentopolybasite associated with EugeniteAg11Hg2
1 photo of Argentopolybasite associated with DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
1 photo of Argentopolybasite associated with QuartzSiO2

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.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.15ArgentopearceiteAg16As2S11Trig. 32 : P321
2.GB.15Cupropolybasite[Cu6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m : P31m
2.GB.15Fengruiite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS2Te2]Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15Auropearceite [Ag9AuS4][Ag6As2S7]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[Ag9AuS4][Ag6Sb2S7]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 ArgentopolybasiteHide

References for ArgentopolybasiteHide

Localities for ArgentopolybasiteHide

Showing 11 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.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

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.
Canada
 
  • Ontario
    • Timiskaming District
      • Cobalt-Gowganda region
[Argentopolybasite-M2a2b2c] Bindi et al. (2023)
Czech Republic
 
  • Central Bohemian Region
    • Kutná Hora District
Pažout et al. (2026)
Russia
 
  • Chukotka Autonomous Okrug
    • Anadyrsky District
[Argentopolybasite-T2ac] Miyawaki et al. (2022)
  • Murmansk Oblast
    • Tersky District
Соловьева et al. (2024)
    • Voron'i Tundry
Соловьева et al. (2024)
Slovakia
 
  • Banská Bystrica Region
    • Žarnovica District
      • Nová Baňa
Vlasáč et al. (2025)
[Argentopolybasite-T2ac] Vlasáč et al. (2025) +1 other reference
    • Žiar nad Hronom District
      • Kremnica
[Argentopolybasite-T2ac] Števko et al. (2023)
USA
 
  • California
    • Alpine County
      • Silver Mountain Mining District
        • Silver Mountain
          • IXL Canyon (I.X.L. Canyon)
[Argentopolybasite-T2ac] Bindi et al. (2023)
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