Mineral - Aikinite
Aikinite
Chemical Properties
Mineral Class
Sulfides and sulfosalts
Toxicity
middle
Formula
PbCuBiS₃
Unit Cell
a=11.64 b=4.04 c=11.32 Z=4
Physical Properties
Hardness
2 - 2.5
Streak
blackgraygray black
Density
Very Heavy (>6)
Cleavage
Indistinct after {010}
Fracture
uneven
Tenacity
Optical Properties
Color
blackbrowngray
Birefringence
Luster
Metallic
Transparency
opaque
Pleochroism
Geomineralogical Properties
Crystal System
orthorhombic
Point Group
orthorhombic-dipyramidal - 2/m 2/m 2/m
Space Group
Pnma (62)
Habit
massive, prismatic
Formation
hydrothermal
Paragenesis
Twinning
Rarity
Rather rare
Synonyms
Aikinite, Aciculite, Aikenite, Belonite, Nadelerz, Needle-ore, Patrinite
Composition
Elements
Mass
Pb
35.15
Cu
11.11
Bi
36.25
S
16.56
Russia (Palache et al. 1952)
Name and first discovery : Named after the British chemist, mineralogist, and co-founder of the Geological Society of London, Arthur Aikin (1773-1854). Discovered in Russia in 1843.
Chemistry :
Synonyms : Aciculite, Aikenite, Belonite, Needle Ore, Patrinite
Varieties : Argentoaikinit
Abbreviation : Aik
literature
Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1952). Dana's system of mineralogy. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar , 74 (2), 218-219.