Weissite

Weissite
General
Category	Telluride mineral
Formula (repeating unit)	Cu 2−xTe
IMA symbol	Wst[1]
Strunz classification	2.BA.30
Crystal system	Hexagonal
Crystal class	Dihexagonal dipyramidal (6mmm) H-M symbol: (6/m 2/m 2/m)
Space group	P6/mmm
Unit cell	a = 12.54, c = 21.71 [Å]; Z = 15
Identification
Color	Bluish black to black with tarnish
Crystal habit	Lens shaped masses
Cleavage	None
Fracture	Uneven
Mohs scale hardness	3
Luster	Metallic
Streak	Black
Diaphaneity	Opaque
Specific gravity	6
Birefringence	Distinct
Pleochroism	Distinct
References	[2][3][4]

Weissite is a telluride mineral, a copper telluride. Its chemical formula is Cu
_2−xTe. Weissite has hexagonal crystal structure. Its specific gravity is 6 and its Mohs hardness is 3. Occurrence is in Gunnison County, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico in the United States. It is also reported from Kalgoorlie, Western Australia and Dalarna and Värmland, Sweden.[3]

Weissite occurs in hydrothermal deposits associated with pyrite, native tellurium, sylvanite, petzite, rickardite, native sulfur, native gold, calaverite and krennerite.[2]

It was first described in 1927 for an occurrence in the Good Hope Mine in the Vulcan District of Gunnison County, Colorado.[3] It was named for mine owner Louis Weiss.[4]

See also

• Rickardite

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. Weissite in the Handbook of Mineralogy
3. Mindat entry
4. Webmineral

• D. M. Chizhikov and V. P. Shchastlivyi, 1966, Tellurium and Tellurides, Nauka Publishing, Moscow