Benleonardite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Benleonardite
Benjamin F. Leonard III
Formula:
[Ag6(Sb,As)2S6Te][Ag9Cu(S,Te)2Te2]
Colour:
Dark grey, black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
7.76 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1986 by Chris J. Stanley, Alan J. Criddle, and James E. Chisholm in honor of Dr. Benjamin Franklin Leonard III (12 May 1921 Dobbs Ferry, New York, USA - 5 September 2008 McCall, Idaho, USA), mineralogist and geologist with the United States Geological Survey, Denver Colorado. He was a leading expert in ore microscopy. He discovered and described the new minerals paradocrasite and polhemusite, and co-authored descriptions of four other new minerals. The Eocene larch, Larix leonardii, is also named in his honor.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
817
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:817:8
IMA Classification of Benleonardite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ag1+15Cu1+(Sb3+,As3+)2S2-7Te2-4
Approval year:
1985
First published:
1986
Classification of Benleonardite
2.LA.50
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
L : Unclassified Sulfosalts
A : Without essential Pb
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
L : Unclassified Sulfosalts
A : Without essential Pb
3.1.10.1
3 : SULFOSALTS
1 : ø > 4
3 : SULFOSALTS
1 : ø > 4
5.2.23
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
2 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Ag
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
2 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Ag
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bln | 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 Benleonardite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Dark grey, black
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN25=105 - 125 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Density:
7.76 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Benleonardite
Anisotropism:
Moderate to strong in tints of brown, blue and grey
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 35.6% | 36.8% |
| 420nm | 35.7% | 36.6% |
| 440nm | 35.8% | 36.2% |
| 460nm | 35.7% | 35.6% |
| 480nm | 35.5% | 34.9% |
| 500nm | 35.1% | 34.1% |
| 520nm | 34.7% | 33.2% |
| 540nm | 34.1% | 32.2% |
| 560nm | 33.5% | 31.4% |
| 580nm | 32.9% | 30.7% |
| 600nm | 32.4% | 30.0% |
| 620nm | 32.0% | 29.5% |
| 640nm | 31.6% | 29.1% |
| 660nm | 31.4% | 28.7% |
| 680nm | 31.1% | 28.4% |
| 700nm | 30.8% | 28.1% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 36.8%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Pale blue
Chemistry of Benleonardite
Mindat Formula:
[Ag6(Sb,As)2S6Te][Ag9Cu(S,Te)2Te2]
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Cu
Crystallography of Benleonardite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
P3m1
Setting:
P3m1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.623(1) Å, c = 12.708(1) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.667
Unit Cell V:
639.5 ų
Z:
1
Morphology:
Crusts and fracture fillings, grains and laths to 60 microns.
Twinning:
Some simple law
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 12.7 Å | (70) |
| 3.188 Å | (30) |
| 2.936 Å | (100) |
| 2.328 Å | (20) |
| 2.863 Å | (25) |
| 2.608 Å | (35) |
| 2.158 Å | (35) |
Comments:
Moctezuma mine, Mexico.
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 Benleonardite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Thin black crusts
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
British Museum of Natural History, polished mount E.1161; BM 1985, 354.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fractures in an intensely silicified rhyolitic vitrophyre.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Benleonardite
Other Language Names for Benleonardite
Relationship of Benleonardite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Pearceite-Polybasite Group:
| Argentopearceite | Ag16As2S11 | Trig. 32 : P321 |
| Argentopolybasite | [Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9AgS4] | Trig. 32 : P321 |
| 'Argentopolybasite-T2ac' | Ag16Sb2S11 | Trig. 32 : P321 |
| Auropearceite | [Ag9AuS4][Ag6As2S7] | Trig. 32 : P321 |
| Auropolybasite | [Ag9AuS4][Ag6Sb2S7] | Trig. 32 : P321 |
| 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 Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 9 photos of Benleonardite associated with Hessite | Ag2Te |
| 3 photos of Benleonardite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Benleonardite associated with Cervelleite | Ag4TeS |
| 2 photos of Benleonardite associated with Tetrahedrite-(Zn) | Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12S |
| 2 photos of Benleonardite associated with Galena | PbS |
| 2 photos of Benleonardite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Benleonardite associated with Tlalocite | Cu10Zn6(Te6+O4)2(Te4+O3)(OH)25Cl · 27H2O |
| 1 photo of Benleonardite associated with Acanthite | Ag2S |
| 1 photo of Benleonardite associated with Bournonite | PbCuSbS3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.LA. | Thunderbayite | TlAg3Au3Sb7S6 |
| 2.LA. | Auerbakhite | MnTl2As2S5 |
| 2.LA. | Biagioniite | Tl2SbS2 |
| 2.LA. | Ferrofettelite | [Ag6As2S7][Ag10FeAs2S8] |
| 2.LA. | Gladkovskyite | MnTlAs3S6 |
| 2.LA.10 | Dervillite | Ag2AsS2 |
| 2.LA.15 | Daomanite | CuPtAsS2 |
| 2.LA.20 | Vaughanite | TlHgSb4S7 |
| 2.LA.25 | Criddleite | TlAg2Au3Sb10S10 |
| 2.LA.30 | Fettelite | [Ag6As2S7][Ag10HgAs2S8] |
| 2.LA.35 | Chaméanite | (Cu,Fe)4As(Se,S)4 |
| 2.LA.40 | Arcubisite | Ag6CuBiS4 |
| 2.LA.45 | Mgriite | Cu3AsSe3 |
| 2.LA.55 | Tsnigriite | Ag9SbTe3S3 |
| 2.LA.60 | Borovskite | Pd3SbTe4 |
| 2.LA.65 | Jonassonite | AuBi5S4 |
| 2.LA.65 | Nuwaite | Ni6GeS2 |
| 2.LA.65 | Butianite | Ni6SnS2 |
| 2.LA.70 | Raberite | Tl5Ag4As6SbS15 |
| 2.LA.75 | Spaltiite | Tl2Cu2As2S5 |
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 Benleonardite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-817.html
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References for Benleonardite
Reference List:
Stanley, C. J., Criddle, A. J., Chisholm, J. E. (1986) Benleonardite, a new mineral from the Bambolla mine, Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico. Mineralogical Magazine, 50 (358) 681-686 doi:10.1180/minmag.1986.050.358.15
Jambor, John L., Grew, Edward S., Puziewicz, Jacek, Vanko, David A. (1988) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 73 (3-4) 439-445
Spry, Paul G., Thieben, Scotf E. (1996) Two new occurrences of benleonardite, a rare silver-tellurium sulphosalt, and a possible new occurrence of cervelleite. Mineralogical Magazine, 60 (403) 871-876 doi:10.1180/minmag.1996.060.403.02
Localities for Benleonardite
Showing 31 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 | |
| Gallard-Esquivel et al. (2018) |
Austria | |
| Paar et al. (2018) |
| Horner et al. (1997) |
| Bojar (1998) +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Duff (2016) |
| Rocks & Minerals 79:2 pp94-99 |
China | |
| Tian et al. (2023) |
Egypt | |
| Faisal et al. (2022) |
| Shalaby et al. (2004) | |
Fiji | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Pals et al. (2003) |
Iran | |
| Altenberger et al. (2022) |
Italy | |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
Japan | |
| - (unpublished species lists maintained by local collectors) +1 other reference |
Mexico (TL) | |
| Stanley et al. (1986) +1 other reference |
| Criddle et al. (1989) +1 other reference | |
Romania | |
| Săbău et al. (2016) |
| Dincă et al. (2018) +1 other reference | |
| Cristeastan et al. (2012) |
Russia | |
| Nordgold |
| Novoselov et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
| Kasatkin et al. (2020) +1 other reference |
Slovakia | |
| Ďuďa R. et al. (1993) |
| Berkh et al. (2014) |
| Ďuďa (1993) |
Sweden | |
| |
UK | |
| Tindle (2008) | |
| Ixer et al. (1997) |
USA | |
| Spry et al. (1996) |
| Spry et al. (1996) |
| EDS by Dr. Rob Bowell. |
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Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico