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[[Image:Argentite-unit-cell-3D-balls.png|thumb|The unit cell of '''argentite''']]
[[Image:Argentite-unit-cell-3D-balls.png|thumb|The unit cell of '''argentite''']]


In [[mineralogy]], '''argentite''' (from the [[Latin]] ''argentum'', silver) is [[Cubic crystal system|cubic]] [[silver sulfide]] (Ag<sub>2</sub>S), which can only exist at temperatures above 173&nbsp;°C,<ref name=de>[http://www.mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/MineralData?mineral=Argentit Mineralienatlas Lexikon - Argentit (in German)]</ref> 177&nbsp;°C<ref name=Mindat>[http://www.mindat.org/min-326.html Argentite mineral information and data on mindat.org]</ref> or 179&nbsp;°C.<ref name=Webmin>[http://www.webmineral.com/data/Argentite.shtml Argentite on Webmineral]</ref> When it cools to ordinary temperatures it turns into its [[monoclinic]] [[Polymorphism (materials science)|polymorph]], [[acanthite]].<ref name=Mindat/><ref name=Webmin/> Argentite belongs to the [[galena]] group.
In [[mineralogy]], '''argentite''' ({{etymology|la|{{wikt-lang|la|argentum}}| silver}}) is [[cubic crystal system|cubic]] [[silver sulfide]] (Ag<sub>2</sub>S), which can only exist at temperatures above {{cvt|173|C|F}},<ref name=de>{{cite web |url=https://mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/MineralData?mineral=Argentit |title=Argentit |publisher=Mineralienatlas Lexikon |language=de}}</ref> {{cvt|177|C|F}},<ref name=Mindat>{{Mindat |id=326 |name=Argentite}}</ref> or {{cvt|179|C|F}}.<ref name=Webmin>{{WebMineral |url=https://webmineral.com/data/Argentite.shtml |title=Argentite Mineral Data}}</ref> When it cools to ordinary temperatures it turns into its [[monoclinic]] [[Polymorphism (materials science)|polymorph]], [[acanthite]].<ref name=Mindat/><ref name=Webmin/> The [[International Mineralogical Association]] has decided to reject argentite as a proper mineral.<ref name=Webmin/>


The name "argentite" sometimes also refers to [[pseudomorph]]s of argentite: specimens of acanthite which still display some of the outward signs of the cubic crystal form, even though their actual crystal structure is monoclinic due to the lower temperature.<ref name=Mindat/><ref name=de/> This form of acanthite is occasionally found as uneven [[cube]]s and [[octahedron|octahedra]], but more often as dendritic or earthy masses, with a blackish lead-grey color and metallic luster.{{sfn|Spencer|1911}}
The name "argentite" sometimes also refers to [[pseudomorph]]s of argentite: specimens of acanthite which still display some of the outward signs of the cubic crystal form, even though their actual crystal structure is monoclinic due to the lower temperature.<ref name=Mindat/><ref name=de/> This form of acanthite is occasionally found as uneven [[cube]]s and [[octahedron|octahedra]], but more often as dendritic or earthy masses, with a blackish lead-grey color and metallic luster.{{sfn|Spencer|1911}}


[[Cleavage (crystal)|Cleavage]], which is so prominent a feature in galena, here presents only in traces. The mineral is perfectly [[Sectility|sectile]] and has a shining streak; [[hardness]] 2.5, [[specific gravity]] is 7.2–7.4. It occurs in mineral veins, and when found in large masses, as in [[Mexico]] and in the [[Comstock Lode]] in [[Nevada]], it forms an important [[ore]] of silver. The mineral was mentioned in 1529 by [[G. Agricola]], but the name ''argentite'' was not used till 1845 and is due to [[W. Haidinger]]. Old names for the species are ''Glaserz'', ''silver-glance'' and ''vitreous silver''. A related copper-rich mineral occurring e.g. in [[Jalpa, Zacatecas]], [[Mexico]], is known as [[jalpaite]].{{sfn|Spencer|1911}}
Argentite belongs to the [[galena]] group. [[Cleavage (crystal)|Cleavage]], which is so prominent a feature in galena, here presents only in traces. The mineral is perfectly [[Sectility|sectile]] and has a shining streak; [[hardness]] 2.5, [[specific gravity]] is 7.2–7.4. It occurs in mineral veins, and when found in large masses, as in [[Mexico]] and in the [[Comstock Lode]] in [[Nevada]], it forms an important [[ore]] of silver. The mineral was mentioned in 1529 by [[G. Agricola]], but the name ''argentite'' was not used till 1845 and is due to [[W. Haidinger]]. Old names for the species are ''Glaserz'', ''silver-glance'' and ''vitreous silver''. A related copper-rich mineral occurring e.g. in [[Jalpa, Zacatecas]], [[Mexico]], is known as [[jalpaite]].{{sfn|Spencer|1911}}

==Rejection by the International Mineralogical Association==

The [[International Mineralogical Association]] has decided to reject argentite as a proper mineral.<ref name=Webmin/>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
⚫
*{{EB1911|first=Leonard James |last=Spencer|authorlink=Leonard James Spencer|wstitle=Argentite|volume=2|page=475}}

⚫
*{{EB1911|first=Leonard James |last=Spencer|wstitle=Argentite}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Wiktionary}}
{{Commons|position=left}}
{{Commons|position=left}}


{{ores}}
{{Ores}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Silver minerals]]
[[Category:Silver minerals]]

Latest revision as of 00:23, 4 April 2023

Argentite sample
The unit cell of argentite

In mineralogy, argentite (from Latin argentum ' silver') is cubic silver sulfide (Ag2S), which can only exist at temperatures above 173 °C (343 °F),[1] 177 °C (351 °F),[2] or 179 °C (354 °F).[3] When it cools to ordinary temperatures it turns into its monoclinic polymorph, acanthite.[2][3] The International Mineralogical Association has decided to reject argentite as a proper mineral.[3]

The name "argentite" sometimes also refers to pseudomorphs of argentite: specimens of acanthite which still display some of the outward signs of the cubic crystal form, even though their actual crystal structure is monoclinic due to the lower temperature.[2][1] This form of acanthite is occasionally found as uneven cubes and octahedra, but more often as dendritic or earthy masses, with a blackish lead-grey color and metallic luster.[4]

Argentite belongs to the galena group. Cleavage, which is so prominent a feature in galena, here presents only in traces. The mineral is perfectly sectile and has a shining streak; hardness 2.5, specific gravity is 7.2–7.4. It occurs in mineral veins, and when found in large masses, as in Mexico and in the Comstock Lode in Nevada, it forms an important ore of silver. The mineral was mentioned in 1529 by G. Agricola, but the name argentite was not used till 1845 and is due to W. Haidinger. Old names for the species are Glaserz, silver-glance and vitreous silver. A related copper-rich mineral occurring e.g. in Jalpa, Zacatecas, Mexico, is known as jalpaite.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Argentit" (in German). Mineralienatlas Lexikon.
  2. ^ a b c "Argentite". Mindat.org.
  3. ^ a b c Argentite Mineral Data, WebMineral.com
  4. ^ a b Spencer 1911.
[edit]
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