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'''Argentite''' was primarily treated as a [[mineral]] belonging to the [[galena]] group, [[Cubic crystal system|cubic]] [[silver sulfide]] (Ag<sub>2</sub>S), 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 lustre. All these forms are structurally not argentite, but its [[monoclinic]] [[Polymorphism (materials science)|polymorph]], [[acanthite]]. Due to instability in normal air temperature, the [[International Mineralogical Association]] decided to reject this mineral, which now is a discredited mineral species.<ref>[http://www.webmineral.com/data/Argentite.shtml Argentite on Webmineral]</ref><ref>[http://www.mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/MineralData?mineral=Argentit Mineralienatlas (in German)]</ref>
'''Argentite''' was primarily treated as a [[mineral]] belonging to the [[galena]] group, [[Cubic crystal system|cubic]] [[silver sulfide]] (Ag<sub>2</sub>S), 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 lustre. All these forms are structurally not argentite, but its [[monoclinic]] [[Polymorphism (materials science)|polymorph]], [[acanthite]]. Due to instability in normal air temperature, the [[International Mineralogical Association]] decided to reject this mineral, which now is a discredited mineral species.<ref>[http://www.webmineral.com/data/Argentite.shtml Argentite on Webmineral]</ref><ref>[http://www.mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/MineralData?mineral=Argentit Mineralienatlas (in German)]</ref>


The cubic [[Cleavage (crystal)|cleavage]], which is so prominent a feature in galena, here present only in traces. The mineral is perfectly [[Sectility|sectile]] and has a shining streak; hardness 2.5, specific gravity 7.2-7.4. It occurs in mineral veins, and when found in large masses, as in is [[Mexico]] and in the [[Comstock Lode]] in [[Nevada]], it forms an important [[ore]] of silver. The mineral was mentioned 1529 by [[G. Agricola]], but the name argentite (from the [[Latin|Lat.]] ''argentum'', silver) 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 Cu-rich mineral occurring i.e. in [[Jalpa, Zacatecas]], [[Mexico]], is known as [[jalpaite]].{{sfn|Spencer|1911}}
The cubic [[Cleavage (crystal)|cleavage]], which is so prominent a feature in galena, here present only in traces. The mineral is perfectly [[Sectility|sectile]] and has a shining streak; [[hardness]] 2.5, specific gravity 7.2-7.4. It occurs in mineral veins, and when found in large masses, as in is [[Mexico]] and in the [[Comstock Lode]] in [[Nevada]], it forms an important [[ore]] of silver. The mineral was mentioned 1529 by [[G. Agricola]], but the name argentite (from the [[Latin|Lat.]] ''argentum'', silver) 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 Cu-rich mineral occurring i.e. in [[Jalpa, Zacatecas]], [[Mexico]], is known as [[jalpaite]].{{sfn|Spencer|1911}}


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 00:06, 16 November 2012

Argentite sample
The unit cell of argentite

Argentite was primarily treated as a mineral belonging to the galena group, cubic silver sulfide (Ag2S), occasionally found as uneven cubes and octahedra, but more often as dendritic or earthy masses, with a blackish lead-grey color and metallic lustre. All these forms are structurally not argentite, but its monoclinic polymorph, acanthite. Due to instability in normal air temperature, the International Mineralogical Association decided to reject this mineral, which now is a discredited mineral species.[1][2]

The cubic cleavage, which is so prominent a feature in galena, here present only in traces. The mineral is perfectly sectile and has a shining streak; hardness 2.5, specific gravity 7.2-7.4. It occurs in mineral veins, and when found in large masses, as in is Mexico and in the Comstock Lode in Nevada, it forms an important ore of silver. The mineral was mentioned 1529 by G. Agricola, but the name argentite (from the Lat. argentum, silver) 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 Cu-rich mineral occurring i.e. in Jalpa, Zacatecas, Mexico, is known as jalpaite.[3]

References


Attribution
  •  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainSpencer, Leonard James (1911). "Argentite". In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.