Pyrargyrite (from other Greek: πῦρ is fire and ἄργυρος is silver ) is a mineral of the subclass of complex sulfides , with the chemical formula (Ag 3 I Sb III ) S 3 . Relatively rare. It is one of the minor components of complex silver ores . Contains 59.76% silver, 22.48% antimony and 17.76% sulfur . It crystallizes in hexagonal syngonies , which has the same degree of symmetry as tourmaline . Pyrargyrite is dark red in color. It has a metal-diamond shine. Under the influence of light, a silver coating forms, in connection with which collection samples of crystals are stored in the dark. Usually found in the form of small crystals and inclusions in ore. The main deposits are located in Altai , in Harz (Germany), Westphalia, Mexico, and the USA.
| Pyrargyrite | |
|---|---|
 Pyrargyrite crystals | |
| Formula | ( Ag 3 I Sb III ) S 3 |
| Impurity | Proustite , galenite , selenides |
| Physical properties | |
| Colour | From dark red to red black (light red in powder) |
| Trait color | Cherry red, purplish red |
| Shine | Metal diamond |
| Transparency | In a weak degree, translucent in thin chips. |
| Hardness | 2,5 - 3 |
| Cleavage | Rhombohedron average {1011} |
| Kink | Crawfish |
| Density | 5.77 - 5.86 g / cm³ |
| Syngonia | Trigonal |
Other names of the mineral:
- red silver
- red silver ore
- (antimony) silver snag
- ruby blende
Links
- TSB at chemport.ru - “Pyrargyrite” (inaccessible link)
Literature
- Betekhtin A.G. Proustite group // Mineralogy course: textbook . - M .: KDU, 2007 .-- S. 269-272. - 721 p.
- Pyrargyrite // Big Encyclopedic Dictionary: In 2 volumes / Ch. ed. A. M. Prokhorov - M .: Sov. Encyclopedia, 1991. - T. 2. - P. 147. - 768 p. - 2,000,000 copies. - ISBN 5-85270-044-4 (t. 2.).