Stilleite

Summary

Stilleite is a selenide mineral, zinc selenide, with the formula ZnSe. It has been found only as microscopic gray crystals occurring as inclusions in linnaeite associated with other selenide and sulfides. It was originally discovered in Katanga Province, Zaire in 1956 and is named for the German geologist, Hans Stille (1876–1966).[4]

Stilleite
Single crystal aggregates of stilleite from the Shinkolobwe deposit
General
CategorySelenide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
ZnSe
IMA symbolSll[1]
Strunz classification2.CB.05a
Crystal systemCubic
Crystal classHextetrahedral (43m)
H-M symbol: (4 3m)
Space groupF43m
Unit cella = 5.667 Å; Z = 4
Structure
Jmol (3D)Interactive image
Identification
ColorGray
Mohs scale hardness5
LusterMetallic
DiaphaneityOpaque to translucent
Specific gravity5.42
Optical propertiesIsotropic
Refractive indexAbout 2.5
References[2][3]

It has been reported from the Santa Brigida mine, La Rioja Province, Argentina and from Tilkerode (Abberode) in the Harz Mountains, Germany.[2] Associated minerals include pyrite, linnaeite, clausthalite, selenian vaesite, molybdenite and dolomite in the Shinkolobwe region of the Congo); and with tiemannite, clausthalite, eucairite, umangite, klockmannite in the Santa Brigida mine, Argentina.[2]

See also edit

References edit

  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. ^ a b c Handbook of Mineralogy – Stilleite
  3. ^ Mindat.org – Stilleite
  4. ^ Webmineral.com – Stilleite