Betekhtinite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Betekhtinite
Anatolii G. Betekhtin
Formula:
Pb2(Cu,Fe)22-24S15
Cu>>Fe. Previously given as (Cu,Fe)21Pb2S15; Krivovichev & Yakovenchuk (2017) proved this to be wrong.
Colour:
Black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
5.96 - 6.05
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honor of Anatolii Georgievich Betekhtin (Анатолий Георгиевич Бетехтин) (24 February (8 March) 1897, Strigino, Vologda province, Russian Empire - 20 April 1962, Moscow, USSR), mineralogist and economic geologist.
This page provides mineralogical data about Betekhtinite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
650
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:650:5
IMA Classification of Betekhtinite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(Cu,Fe)21Pb2S15
First published:
1955
Classification of Betekhtinite
2.BE.05
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
E : With Pb (Bi)
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
E : With Pb (Bi)
2.16.8.1
2 : SULFIDES
16 : Miscellaneous
2 : SULFIDES
16 : Miscellaneous
3.6.10
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
6 : Sulphides etc. of Sb and Pb
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
6 : Sulphides etc. of Sb and Pb
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bkh | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Bkh | 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 Betekhtinite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Black
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
In three directions
In three directions
Density:
5.96 - 6.05 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.14 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Betekhtinite
Anisotropism:
Strong, distinctly colored
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 34.0% | 35.4% |
| 420nm | 33.7% | 34.6% |
| 440nm | 33.4% | 33.8% |
| 460nm | 33.2% | 33.3% |
| 480nm | 32.9% | 33.0% |
| 500nm | 32.8% | 32.6% |
| 520nm | 32.6% | 32.3% |
| 540nm | 32.5% | 32.1% |
| 560nm | 32.3% | 32.0% |
| 580nm | 32.0% | 31.8% |
| 600nm | 31.8% | 31.8% |
| 620nm | 31.6% | 31.9% |
| 640nm | 31.4% | 32.2% |
| 660nm | 31.4% | 32.4% |
| 680nm | 31.2% | 32.4% |
| 700nm | 31.2% | 32.4% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 35.4%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Cream, stronger yellowish cream perpendicular to elongation
Chemistry of Betekhtinite
Mindat Formula:
Pb2(Cu,Fe)22-24S15
Cu>>Fe. Previously given as (Cu,Fe)21Pb2S15; Krivovichev & Yakovenchuk (2017) proved this to be wrong.
Cu>>Fe. Previously given as (Cu,Fe)21Pb2S15; Krivovichev & Yakovenchuk (2017) proved this to be wrong.
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ag
Crystallography of Betekhtinite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Immm
Setting:
Immm
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.67 Å, b = 22.80 Å, c = 3.85 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.643 : 1 : 0.169
Unit Cell V:
1,287.73 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Needles to 2 cm in length.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009232 | Betekhtinite | Dornberger-Schiff K, Hohne E (1959) Die kristallstruktur des betechtinit Pb2(Cu,Fe)21S15 Acta Crystallographica 12 646-651 |  | 1959 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.37 Å | (20) |
| 5.65 Å | (50) |
| 4.77 Å | (50) |
| 4.32 Å | (20) |
| 3.56 Å | (20) |
| 3.49 Å | (20) |
| 3.33 Å | (30) |
| 3.08 Å | (80) |
| 2.94 Å | (100) |
| 2.74 Å | (30) |
| 2.68 Å | (50) |
| 2.52 Å | (50) |
| 2.48 Å | (50) |
| 2.40 Å | (50) |
| 2.35 Å | (70) |
| 2.30 Å | (30) |
| 2.26 Å | (30) |
| 2.11 Å | (30) |
| 2.06 Å | (15) |
| 2.02 Å | (10) |
| 1.995 Å | (10) |
| 1.934 Å | (60) |
| 1.899 Å | (10) |
| 1.888 Å | (15) |
| 1.830 Å | (90) |
| 1.762 Å | (40) |
| 1.680 Å | (5) |
| 1.506 Å | (20) |
| 1.399 Å | (10) |
| 1.355 Å | (20) |
| 1.338 Å | (20) |
| 1.305 Å | (20) |
| 1.2828 Å | (10) |
| 1.2653 Å | (20) |
| 1.2555 Å | (15) |
| 1.2391 Å | (10) |
| 1.2059 Å | (20) |
| 1.1681 Å | (5) |
| 1.1215 Å | (30) |
| 1.0990 Å | (20) |
| 1.0930 Å | (50) |
| 1.0890 Å | (10) |
| 1.0600 Å | (10) |
| 1.0380 Å | (10) |
| 1.0150 Å | (10) |
| 0.9840 Å | (20) |
| 0.9700 Å | (20) |
Comments:
ICDD 25-1223. Bulancak, Turkey.
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 Betekhtinite
Co-Type Localities:
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineral Museum, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Veins cutting shale.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Betekhtinite
Other Language Names for Betekhtinite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 42 photos of Betekhtinite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 31 photos of Betekhtinite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 28 photos of Betekhtinite associated with Bornite | Cu5FeS4 |
| 19 photos of Betekhtinite associated with Chalcocite | Cu2S |
| 18 photos of Betekhtinite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 8 photos of Betekhtinite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 4 photos of Betekhtinite associated with Acanthite | Ag2S |
| 3 photos of Betekhtinite associated with Galena | PbS |
| 2 photos of Betekhtinite associated with Stromeyerite | AgCuS |
| 2 photos of Betekhtinite associated with Djurleite | Cu31S16 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.BE. | Dulanggouite | Bi6Te3 |
| 2.BE. | Zipserite | Bi5S4 |
| 2.BE.10 | Furutobeite | (Cu,Ag)6PbS4 |
| 2.BE.15 | Shandite | Ni3Pb2S2 |
| 2.BE.15 | Rhodplumsite | Rh3Pb2S2 |
| 2.BE.20 | Parkerite | Ni3(Bi,Pb)2S2 |
| 2.BE.25 | Schlemaite | (Cu,◻)6(Pb,Bi)Se4 |
| 2.BE.30 | Pašavaite | Pd3Pb2Te2 |
Fluorescence of Betekhtinite
Not fluorescent in UV
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 Betekhtinite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-650.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Betekhtinite
Reference List:
Dornberger-Schiff, K., Höhne, E. (1959) Die Kristallstruktur des Betechtinit Pb2(Cu,Fe)21S15. Acta Crystallographica, 12 (9) 646-651 doi:10.1107/s0365110x59001906
Markham, N.L., Ottemann, J. (1968) Betekhtinite from Mt. Lyell, Tasmania. Mineralium Deposita, 3 (2). 171-173 doi:10.1007/bf00207104
Ramdohr, Paul (1969) The Ore Minerals and their Intergrowths. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1174pp. doi:10.1016/c2013-0-10027-x
Honnorez-Guerstein, Beatriz Melba (1971) Betekhtinite and Bi-sulfosalts from the copper mine of "La Leona" (Argentina). Mineralium Deposita, 6 (2). 111-121 doi:10.1007/bf00206622
Kachalovskaya, V.M., Khromova, M.M. (1972) Betekhtinite, hessite, and stromeyerite from bornite ores of Urup. International Geology Review, 14 (4) 401-404 doi:10.1080/00206817209475712
Localities for Betekhtinite
Showing 67 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) +1 other reference |
| Brodtkorb (2002) +1 other reference | |
| Honnorez-Guerstein (1971) +1 other reference |
Australia | |
| Bottrill (2000) |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) | |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) | |
Austria | |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Paar et al. (1985) +1 other reference |
Brazil | |
| Moura et al. (2014) |
Bulgaria | |
| Cook et al. (2002) |
| BONEV (1986) |
| Bogdanov et al. (1997) |
| Cook et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
| Cook et al. (2002) |
Canada | |
| Badham et al. (1980) |
| Badham et al. (1980) | |
China | |
| Binghui Chen et al. (1994) +2 other references |
| Zhai et al. (2014) +1 other reference |
Czech Republic | |
| Kohout et al. (1995) |
| FOJT B. |
DR Congo | |
| Chabu (1995) +2 other references |
Europe | |
| ATANASSOVA +1 other reference | |
France | |
| Cesbron et al. (1985) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Belendorff (2021) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Fettel et al. (1980) +1 other reference |
| |
| Schüller et al. (1955) |
| Schüller et al. (1955) |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (1999) |
| Rieck et al. (1999) |
| Bonev et al. (2005) +2 other references |
Italy | |
| Fiori (1998) +2 other references |
| Biagioni et al. (2025) |
Japan | |
| Matsukuma collection (1966) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Kazakhstan | |
| [MinRec 23:279 +1 other reference |
| Baibatsha et al. (2015) |
| Pavlova +3 other references |
Namibia | |
| [MinRec 8:Tsumeb 20] |
| Dunn (1991) |
Poland | |
| Lis et al. (1986) |
| Harańczyk C. 1972: Mineralizacja ... |
| KGHM Polska Miedź |
Portugal | |
| Lundin Mining |
Russia | |
| Kovalev et al. (2017) |
| Kovalev et al. (2017) | |
| Kachalovskaya et al. (1970) +1 other reference |
| Vinokurov et al. (2010) +2 other references |
| Kovalev et al. (2023) |
South Korea | |
| IMAI et al. (1982) |
Sweden | |
| Nysten (1986) +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
Tajikistan | |
| Badalov et al. (1975) |
Turkey | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Uysal (2008) |
UK | |
| Tindle (2008) | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy. +2 other references |
Ukraine | |
| Nechaev S & Pastukhov V (2001) |
USA | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Jenkins et al. (2002) |
| Guilbert and Zeihen 1964 +1 other reference | |
| Jenkins et al. (2002) | |
| Guilbert and Zeihen 1964 +1 other reference | |
| Guilbert and Zeihen 1964 +1 other reference | |
| King (n.d.) |
| P. Hlava & Irving (1985) +2 other references |
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Dzhezkazgan mining district, Karaganda Region, Kazakhstan