Meneghinite

Meneghinite
General
Category	Sulfosalt mineral
Formula (repeating unit)	CuPb13 Sb7S24
IMA symbol	Meg[1]
Strunz classification	2.HB.05b
Crystal system	Orthorhombic
Crystal class	Dipyramidal (mmm) H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space group	Pbnm
Identification
Color	Blackish lead-grey
Crystal habit	Prismatic to acicular, massive
Cleavage	{010} perfect
Fracture	Conchoidal
Tenacity	Brittle
Mohs scale hardness	2+1⁄2
Luster	Metallic
Streak	Black shining
Diaphaneity	Opaque
Specific gravity	6.36
Pleochroism	Weak
References	[2][3][4]

Meneghinite is a sulfosalt mineral with the chemical formula CuPb₁₃ Sb₇S₂₄.[4]

In the orthorhombic crystal system, meneghinite has a Mohs hardness of 2+1⁄2, one perfect cleavage and a conchoidal fracture. It is a blackish lead-grey in colour and gives a black shining streak. Its lustre is metallic.[4]

Discovered in the Italian Province of Lucca in 1852,[4] it is named after Giuseppe Meneghini (1811–1889) of the University of Pisa, who first observed the species.[5] The Bottino Mine in Lucca is the type locality.[4]

Sample of Meneghinite from the Harvard Museum of Natural History

References

1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
2. Mineralienatlas
3. http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/meneghinite.pdf Handbook of Mineralogy
4. Mindat information page for Meneghinite
5. The Brown Reference Group plc, ed. (2007). "Meneghinite". Treasures of the Earth. De Agostini UK Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7489-7995-0.