Aikinite is a sulfide mineral of lead, copper and bismuth with formula Pb Cu Bi S3. It forms black to grey or reddish brown acicular orthorhombic crystals with a Mohs hardness of 2 to 2.5 and a specific gravity of 6.1 to 6.8. It was originally found in 1843 in the Beryozovskoye deposit, Ural Mountains. It is named after Arthur Aikin (1773–1854), an English geologist.
Aikinite | |
---|---|
General | |
Category | Sulfide mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) | Pb Cu Bi S3 |
IMA symbol | Aik[1] |
Strunz classification | 2.HB.05a |
Dana classification | 3.4.5.1 |
Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
Crystal class | Dipyramidal (mmm) H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
Space group | Pnma |
Unit cell | a = 11.297, b = 11.654 c = 4.061 [Å], Z = 4 |
Identification | |
Formula mass | 575.92 g/mol |
Color | Lead gray, grayish black, reddish brown |
Crystal habit | Acicular, massive |
Cleavage | {010} indistinct |
Mohs scale hardness | 2–2.5 |
Luster | Metallic |
Streak | Grayish black |
Diaphaneity | Opaque |
Specific gravity | 6.1–6.8, Average = 6.44 |
Other characteristics | Not radioactive |
References | [2][3] |
It has been found in Western Tasmania, in mines located near Dundas, Tasmania