Diaphorite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Diaphorite
Formula:
Ag3Pb2Sb3S8
Due to the substitution Ag+ + Sb3+ ↔ 2 Pb2+, the chemical composition is somewhat variable (Mozgova et al., 1989; Armbruster et al., 2003).
Colour:
Steel grey to black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
6.04
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
From the Greek διαφορά, "difference", because it is distinct from freieslebenite, a supposed dimorphous form.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1284
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1284:9
IMA Classification of Diaphorite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1871
Classification of Diaphorite
2.JB.05
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
J : Sulfosalts of PbS archetype
B : Galena derivatives, with Pb
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
J : Sulfosalts of PbS archetype
B : Galena derivatives, with Pb
3.5.4.1
3 : SULFOSALTS
5 : 2.5 < ø < 3
3 : SULFOSALTS
5 : 2.5 < ø < 3
5.7.30
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
7 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Pb and other metals
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
7 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Pb and other metals
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Dpr | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Diaphorite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Steel grey to black
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
6.04 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.019 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Diaphorite
Anisotropism:
Strong
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
---|---|---|
400nm | 38.2% | 40.1% |
420nm | 37.8% | 39.8% |
440nm | 37.5% | 39.5% |
460nm | 37.3% | 39.3% |
480nm | 37.0% | 39.0% |
500nm | 36.7% | 38.8% |
520nm | 36.4% | 38.6% |
540nm | 36.0% | 38.3% |
560nm | 35.6% | 38.0% |
580nm | 35.3% | 37.8% |
600nm | 35.0% | 37.4% |
620nm | 34.8% | 37.2% |
640nm | 34.5% | 37.0% |
660nm | 34.2% | 36.6% |
680nm | 33.8% | 36.1% |
700nm | 33.4% | 35.8% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 40.1%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
White to greyish white
Internal Reflections:
None
Chemistry of Diaphorite
Mindat Formula:
Ag3Pb2Sb3S8
Due to the substitution Ag+ + Sb3+ ↔ 2 Pb2+, the chemical composition is somewhat variable (Mozgova et al., 1989; Armbruster et al., 2003).
Due to the substitution Ag+ + Sb3+ ↔ 2 Pb2+, the chemical composition is somewhat variable (Mozgova et al., 1989; Armbruster et al., 2003).
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Fe,Cu
Crystallography of Diaphorite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/a
Cell Parameters:
a = 15.849(4) Å, b = 17.914(4) Å, c = 5.901(1) Å
β = 116.425(3)°
β = 116.425(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.885 : 1 : 0.329
Unit Cell V:
1,500.36 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Prismatic [001]. Often striated [001]. Sometimes highly complex crystals.
Twinning:
On {120}; on {241}.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0006959 | Diaphorite | Armbruster T, Makovicky E, Berlepsch P, Sejkora J (2003) Crystal structure, cation ordering, and polytypic character of diaphorite, Pb2Ag3Sb3S8, a PbS-based structure European Journal of Mineralogy 15 137-146 | 2003 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.29 Å | (100) |
2.81 Å | (80) |
2.03 Å | (50) |
1.704 Å | (40) |
2.93 Å | (30) |
1.759 Å | (30) |
1.653 Å | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Geological Setting:
Hydrothermal veins formed at moderate temperatures.
Type Occurrence of Diaphorite
Co-Type Localities:
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Synonyms of Diaphorite
Other Language Names for Diaphorite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
31 photos of Diaphorite associated with Miargyrite | AgSbS2 |
28 photos of Diaphorite associated with Pyrargyrite | Ag3SbS3 |
26 photos of Diaphorite associated with Galena | PbS |
22 photos of Diaphorite associated with Baumstarkite | Ag3Sb3S6 |
22 photos of Diaphorite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
9 photos of Diaphorite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
6 photos of Diaphorite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
6 photos of Diaphorite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
5 photos of Diaphorite associated with Boulangerite | Pb5Sb4S11 |
5 photos of Diaphorite associated with Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
2.JB. | Clino-oscarkempffite | Ag15Pb6Sb21Bi18S72 |
2.JB. | Arsenquatrandorite | Ag17.6Pb12.8Sb38.1As11.5S96 |
2.JB. | Ginelfite | Ag2(Ag0.5Fe)TlPb23.5(Sb,As)33.5S76 |
2.JB. | Andreadiniite | CuHgAg7Pb7Sb24S48 |
2.JB. | Chukotkaite | AgPb7Sb5S15 |
2.JB. | Selenojunoite | Cu2Pb3Bi8Se16 |
2.JB. | Lechnerite | Ag10Cu4HgPb33Sb58S128 |
2.JB. | Cuprosenandorite | Ag16Cu8Pb24Sb72S144 |
2.JB. | Morleyite | Ag2CuPb25Sb24As4S68.5 |
2.JB. | Lazerckerite | Ag3.75Pb4.50(Sb7.75Bi4)S24 |
2.JB. | Lasmanisite | Ag12Pb13Mn11Sb44S96 |
2.JB. | Montpelvouxite | AgPb16Sb27As18S84 |
2.JB. | Senandorite | AgPbSb3S6 |
2.JB. | Oscarkempffite | Ag10Pb4(Sb17Bi9)S48 |
2.JB.10 | Cosalite | Pb2Bi2S5 |
2.JB.15 | Marrite | AgPbAsS3 |
2.JB.15 | Freieslebenite | AgPbSbS3 |
2.JB.20 | Cannizzarite | Pb48Bi56S132 |
2.JB.20 | Wittite | Pb9Bi12(S,Se)27 |
2.JB.25j | Rouxelite | Cu2HgPb23Sb27S65.5 |
2.JB.25i | Neyite | Ag2Cu6Pb25Bi26S68 |
2.JB.25a | Junoite | Cu2Pb3Bi8(S,Se)16 |
2.JB.25f | Ángelaite | Cu2AgPbBiS4 |
2.JB.25c | Nordströmite | CuPb3Bi7(Se4S10) |
2.JB.25i | Cuproneyite | Cu7Pb27Bi25S68 |
2.JB.25g | Nuffieldite | Cu1.4Pb2.4Bi2.4Sb0.2S7 |
2.JB.25h | Weibullite | Pb5Bi8Se7S11 |
2.JB.25d | Proudite | CuPb7.5Bi9.33(S,Se)22 |
2.JB.25b | Felbertalite | Cu2Pb6Bi8S19 |
2.JB.30a | Jordanite | Pb14As6S23 |
2.JB.30a | Geocronite | Pb14Sb6S23 |
2.JB.30a | Arsenmarcobaldiite | Pb12(As3.2Sb2.8)Σ6S21 |
2.JB.30b | Kirkiite | Pb10Bi3As3S19 |
2.JB.30c | Tsugaruite | Pb28As15S50Cl |
2.JB.30a | Marcobaldiite | Pb12(Sb3As2Bi)Σ6S21 |
2.JB.35d | Pellouxite | (Cu,Ag)Pb10Sb12S27O(Cl,S)0.6 |
2.JB.35e | Chovanite | Pb15-2xSb14+2xS36Ox (x ~ 0.2) |
2.JB.35a | Zinkenite | Pb9Sb22S42 |
2.JB.35c | Pillaite | Pb9Sb10S23ClO0.5 |
2.JB.35b | Scainiite | Pb14Sb30S54O5 |
2.JB.35f | Tubulite | Ag2Pb22Sb20S53 |
2.JB.40a | Fizélyite | Ag5Pb14Sb21S48 |
2.JB.40a | Ramdohrite | Pb5.9Fe0.1Mn0.1In0.1Cd0.2Ag2.8Sb10.8S24 |
2.JB.40e | Ustarasite | Pb(Bi,Sb)6S10 (?) |
2.JB.40a | Bursaite | Pb5Bi4S11 (?) |
2.JB.40 | UM1988-05-S:AgBiCuHgPb | (Hg,Ag,Cu,Pb)5Pb5Bi11S27 |
2.JB.40 | UM1988-06-S:AgBiCuHgPb | (Pb,Hg)12(Cu,Ag)3(Bi,Sb)10(S,Te)27 |
2.JB.40a | Terrywallaceite | AgPb(Sb,Bi)3S6 |
2.JB.40a | Jasrouxite | Ag16Pb4(Sb24As16)S72 |
2.JB.40a | Tarutinoite | Ag3Pb7Bi7S19 |
2.JB.40a | Oyonite | Ag3Mn2Pb4Sb7As4S24 |
2.JB.40b | Heyrovskýite | Pb6Bi2S9 |
2.JB.40a | Quatrandorite | AgPbSb3S6 |
2.JB.40a | Erzwiesite | Ag8Pb12Bi16S40 |
2.JB.40a | Vikingite | Ag5Pb8Bi13S30 |
2.JB.40a | Lillianite | Pb3-2xAgxBi2+xS6 |
2.JB.40b | Baiamareite | Ag4Pb12Fe4Sb20S48 |
2.JB.40a | Staročeskéite | Ag0.70Pb1.60(Bi1.35Sb1.35)Σ2.70S6 |
2.JB.40a | Roshchinite | Ag19Pb10Sb51S96 |
2.JB.40b | Aschamalmite | Pb6-3xBi2+xS9 |
2.JB.40b | Eskimoite | Ag7Pb10Bi15S36 |
2.JB.40a | Menchettiite | AgPb2.40Mn1.60Sb3As2S12 |
2.JB.40a | Holubite | Ag3Pb6(Sb8Bi3)S24 |
2.JB.40a | Brusnitsynite | Mn3CuPbAs3Sb2S12 |
2.JB.40a | Treasurite | Ag7Pb6Bi15S32 |
2.JB.40c | Ourayite | Ag3Pb4Bi5S13 |
2.JB.40a | Uchucchacuaite | AgMnPb3Sb5S12 |
2.JB.40d | Schirmerite | PbAgBi3S6 - Pb3Ag1.5Bi3.5S9 |
2.JB.40a | Xilingolite | Pb3Bi2S6 |
2.JB.40a | Gustavite | AgPbBi3S6 |
2.JB.55 | Gratonite | Pb9As4S15 |
2.JB.60 | Marrucciite | Hg3Pb16Sb18S46 |
2.JB.65 | Vurroite | Pb20Sn2(Bi,As)22S54Cl6 |
2.JB.65 | Tazieffite | Pb20Cd2(As,Bi)22S50Cl10 |
2.JB.70 | Daliranite | PbHgAs2S5 |
Fluorescence of Diaphorite
none
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Diaphorite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1284.html
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References for Diaphorite
Reference List:
Palache, Charles (1938) Crystallographic studies of the sulphosalts: baumhauerite, meneghinite, jordanite, diaphorite, freieslebenite. American Mineralogist, 23 (11) 821-836
HELLNER, ERWIN (1958) Über komplex zusammengesetzte Spießglanze III. Zur Struktur des Diaphorits, Ag3Pb2Sb3S8. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 110 (1-6) 169 doi:10.1524/zkri.1958.110.16.169
Armbruster, Thomas, Makovicky, Emil, Berlepsch, Peter, Sejkora, Jiří (2003) Crystal structure, cation ordering, and polytypic character of diaphorite, Pb2Ag3Sb3S8, a PbS-based structure. European Journal of Mineralogy, 15 (1) 137-146 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2003/0015-0137
Berlepsch, Peter; Makovicky, Emil; Armbruster, Thomas (2003) Structural relationships between sicherite, marrite, freieslebenite, and diaphorite - analysis based on anionic nets and polyhedral characteristics. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen, 178 (1). 75-91 doi:10.1127/0077-7757/2002/0178-0075
Localities for Diaphorite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Sureda (1978) |
| Brodtkorb (2002) +1 other reference |
| Paar et al. (2000) |
| ROBL +1 other reference |
Brodtkorb (2002) | |
Australia | |
| Mineralogical Magazine 1962 33 : 315-319 |
Austria | |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Feitzinger et al. (1995) |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Paar et al. (2006) |
| Schachinger et al. (2013) |
| Auer (2020) |
| Auer (2022) |
| Jakely (2008) |
| Jakely (2008) |
Bojar (1998) +1 other reference | |
Bolivia | |
| Wilson (2001) |
Wilson (2001) | |
| Kempff et al. (La Paz, 2009) |
| Salomon Rivas y Federico Ahlfeld (1998) |
| Wilson (2001) |
| Cazorla Martínez et al. (2019) |
EDS and single crystal XRD | |
Torró et al. (2019) | |
| Natural History Museum Vienna collection (SXRD-analysis U. Kolitsch) |
| Smith et al. (2001) |
| Torró et al. (2019) |
Bulgaria | |
| Kerestedjian T (1998) +1 other reference |
Strashimirov et al. (2005) | |
| Petrova et al. (2007) |
Canada | |
| Woodside et al. (2000) |
| Examination of Micro-Scale Inter- and ... +1 other reference |
| Gomi (2001) |
Chile | |
| Chinchilla et al. (2013, August) |
China | |
| Huaying Liang et al. (2007) |
| Genwen Chen et al. (2008) |
| Zhong Zhang und Baogui Zhang (1996) |
| Xilin Li and Zhengen Zhang (1980) |
| Hongzhong Xu et al. (1997) |
| Dequan Shuai et al. (1985) |
| Youxun Liu et al. (2003) |
Jinyan Yao and Mingchao Wu (1984) | |
| Zhicheng Lu et al. (2002) |
| Weining Zhou (1994) +1 other reference |
| Qian Zhang et al. (2002) +3 other references |
| Zhicheng Lu et al. (2002) |
| Tiegang Li et al. (2014) |
| Wang et al. (2025) |
| Leiming Xu et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Sun et al. (2019) |
| Kai Zhang and Yongdong Shi (2000) |
| Chen et al. (2020) |
| Xiaoming Qu et al. (2001) |
| Dong Zhensheng et al. (1996) |
Weining Zhou (1994) | |
Colombia | |
| Hernández +3 other references |
| Publications of the Field Columbian ... |
Cuba | |
| Bortnikov et al. (1989) |
Czech Republic | |
| Šrein (2007) |
| |
Pažout et al. (2024) | |
Pažout et al. (2019) | |
| V. Ritter von Zepharovich (1871) +1 other reference |
| Dolníček et al. (2023) |
| [Bull.N.M.Praha 2002 |
Josef Vajdak (Pequa Rare Minerals) | |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) |
France | |
| Anthony et al. (1990) |
| Pélisson (1989) |
| Pélisson (1989) |
Pélisson (1989) | |
Pélisson (1989) | |
| Pélisson (1989) |
| Pélisson (1989) |
Pélisson (1989) | |
| Anthony et al. (1990) |
| Y. Moëlo |
| Collection + SEM-EDX analysis Georges ... |
Georgia | |
| Ramaz Migineishvili (2005) |
Germany | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2019) |
| Walenta (1989) +1 other reference |
| Desor (2020) |
| SEM-EDS and Raman Spectroscopy by Joy ... |
| Gröbner et al. (2011) |
Gröbner et al. (2011) | |
| Sejkora et al. (2009) |
| Dana 7:I:415. |
| V. Ritter von Zepharovich (1871) |
Greece | |
| Meixner et al. (1982) |
| Uwe Kolitsch & Branko Rieck (unpubl. SEM-EDS results) +1 other reference |
| M. Grossou-Valta et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
| Karantoni et al. (2021) |
India | |
| Mishra et al. (2009) |
| Parihar et al. (2016, October) |
Ireland | |
| Andrew et al. (2025) |
Italy | |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Frizzo et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| Josef Vajdak specimens obtained from ... |
Mauritania | |
| Marsh et al. (2015) |
Mexico | |
| Lueth et al. (2000) |
| Dr. Günter Grundmann collection |
| Camprubi |
| British Museum of Natural History ... |
Norway | |
| Nigel J. Cook |
Cook (2001) | |
Peru | |
| Effenberger et al. (2002) |
| - (1997) |
| Frank Keutsch collection |
Portugal | |
| Neiva et al. (2015) |
Romania | |
| Bailly et al. (1998) |
Cook et al. (1997) | |
| 1-Rădulescu Dan |
Russia | |
| Pekov et al. (2012) |
| Chugaev et al. (2017) |
| Damdinov et al. (2022) |
| Spiridonov (2020, September) |
| Korinevsky et al. (2021) |
| Kasatkin et al. (2020) |
| Okrugin et al. (an Example of Mutnovsky Geothermal Area, Southern Kamchatka) |
| Ras et al. (2011) |
| Makshakov et al. (2024) |
Makshakov et al. (2024) | |
| Savva et al. (2014) |
| Locality description |
| Kalinin +3 other references |
| Пономарев et al. (2024) |
| ROGULINA et al. (2004) |
Vasilenko (2001) +1 other reference | |
Ratkin et al. (2021) | |
American Mineralogist | |
| Rogulina +2 other references |
| Gamyanin G.N. et al. (2001) |
| Bortnikov et al. (2007) |
| Pavlova et al. (2009) |
Pavlova et al. (2009) | |
Pavlova et al. (2009) | |
| Pavlova et al. (2009) |
Pavlova et al. (2009) | |
Gamyanin et al. (1998) +2 other references | |
| Gamyanin et al. (2015) |
| Pavlova et al. (2009) |
| Yurgenson et al. (2023) |
Serbia | |
Slobodan A. Radosavljević et al. (2013) +1 other reference | |
Slovakia | |
| Kodě +1 other reference |
Onačila D. (1992) | |
Onačila F. et al. (1995) | |
| Majzlan et al. (2018) +1 other reference |
| Števko et al. (2018) |
| Juraj Majzlan et al. (2021) |
| Duda et. all. |
specialities of chemical composition. ... +1 other reference | |
South Korea | |
| Sugaki et al. (1986) +1 other reference |
| So +2 other references |
Spain | |
| Calvo et al. (1992) |
Calvo et al. (1992) | |
Calvo et al. (1992) | |
Sweden | |
| Barbosa (2021) |
| NJMAh 165 |
| Rincon (2022) |
| Jansson et al. (2022) |
Kieft et al. (1987) | |
Switzerland | |
| fglb.clubdesk.ch (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Tajikistan | |
| Pavlova et al. (2009) |
Pavlova et al. (2009) | |
Ukraine | |
| Spiridonov et al. (2019) |
USA | |
| - (2008) |
| Hall et al. (1972) |
| Simon et al. (1997) |
| Leonard et al. (1987) |
| Quigley +1 other reference |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Williams (1968) +1 other reference |
Rocks & Minerals. Nov. 1999. | |
RWMW specimens | |
| XRD Analysis by John Attard 2015 |
XRD analysis results from Attard ... | |
| Cannon (1975) |
| Lasmanis (1995) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Koneev et al. (2005) |
| Koneev et al. (2005) |
| Bortnikov et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
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