Berzelianite

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Berzelianite
Berzelianite, Calcite-361052.jpg
Berzelianite included in calcite from the Skrikerum mine in Sweden.
General
CategorySelenide minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
Cu2Se
IMA symbol Brz [1]
Strunz classification 2.BA.20
Dana classification 2.4.10.1
Crystal system Isometric
Identification
ColorSilvery white, tarnishes easily
Crystal habit Dendritic crusts, fine-grained inclusions
Cleavage None
Fracture Uneven
Tenacity Slightly malleable
Mohs scale hardness2.7
Luster Metallic
Streak Shining
Diaphaneity Opaque
Density 6.71 (measured) 7.28 (calculated)
Ultraviolet fluorescence None
Common impuritiesAg
References

Berzelianite is a rare copper selenide mineral with the formula Cu 2 Se. [2] [3] [4] It occurs as thin dendritic crusts or as fine-grained inclusions. It crystallizes in the isometric system, [5] [6] [7] unlike its dimorph, bellidoite, which crystallizes in the tetragonal system. [8] The crystals are opaque and slightly malleable.

Contents

Occurrence and name

Berzelianite was first identified at the Skrikerum Mine (also spelled as Skrickerum Mine) in Valdemarsvik, Östergötland, Sweden in 1850. [6]

It was named by James Dwight Dana to honor Jöns Jakob Berzelius, a Swedish chemist who is seen as the father of analytical chemistry. He invented chemical symbol notation and discovered the elements cerium, selenium, silicon, and thorium. [6]

Berzelianite often occurs together with eucairite, clausthalite, tiemannite, umangite, klockmannite, aguilarite, crookesite, athabascaite, stromeyerite, polybasite, pearceite, gold, uraninite, pyrite, marcasite, calcite.

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi: 10.1180/mgm.2021.43 . S2CID   235729616.
  2. I.Y. Nekrasov (1 January 1996). Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Genesis of Gold Deposits. CRC Press. p. 238. ISBN   978-90-5410-723-1.
  3. Stephen B. Castor; Gregory C. Ferdock (2004). Minerals of Nevada. University of Nevada Press. p. 163. ISBN   978-0-87417-540-0.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. Bernhard Pracejus (25 June 2015). The Ore Minerals Under the Microscope: An Optical Guide. Elsevier Science. p. 202. ISBN   978-0-444-62737-7.
  5. "Handbook of mineralogy Berzelianite" (PDF).
  6. 1 2 3 "Berzelianite: Berzelianite mineral information and data". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
  7. Barthelmy, Dave. "Berzelianite Mineral Data". www.webmineral.com. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
  8. "Bellidoite: Bellidoite mineral information and data". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-10-23.