Argentite

Argentite (obsolete silver luster ) is a previously only hypothetical but not approved mineral from the mineral class of " sulfides and sulfosalts ," being a high -temperature modification of silver sulfide ( Ag 2 S ) only up to a temperature of 173 ° C is stable.

Argentite first crystallized in the cubic crystal system, then changing but on further cooling in the monoclinic acanthite to where he usually keeps the external shape of the crystal Argentits. This Paramorphosen are designated from the ignorance of the precise facts often falsely and misleadingly referred to as " argentite ". Correctly she should be referred to as either " pseudomorphs of acanthite after argentite " or " pseudocubic Akanthit ".

Etymology and history

Was first described scientifically in 1845 by Wilhelm Ritter von argentite Haidinger, the argentum mineral named after the Latin word for silver.

Education and Locations

Argentite is only temporarily in high-grade hydrothermal solutions from 173 ° C in silver ore - passes. Below this temperature, acanthite forms directly as a stable phase. Parageneses and localities see acanthite.

Crystal structure

Argentite crystallized cubic space group with the lattice parameters a = 4.89 Å and two formula units per unit cell.

Use

Argentite is next Akanthit one of the main raw materials for the production of silver.