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Tennantite Subgroup

A group of related mineral species
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About Tennantite SubgroupHide

04287490017271927036648.jpg
Smithson Tennant
Formula:
Cu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S
In the A-site, group end-members contain six III(Cu+Ag) cations, where Cu>Ag.

C2+ = Fe2+, Zn, Cu, Hg and/or other species
Colour:
Grey-black, steel-gray, iron-gray, black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3 - 4½
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
Originally called "gray sulphuret of copper in dodecahedral crystals" in 1817 by James Sowerby.
Renamed in 1819 by William Phillips in honor of Smithson Tennant [November 30, 1761, Selby, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom - February 22, 1815, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France], English chemist of independent means. Tennant established the beneficial nature of using limestone to reduce soil acidity. He and William Hyde Wollaston, who was then his chemical assistant, analyzed graphite and diamond and found that graphite and diamond were both carbon. He analyzed meteorites and found nickel in them, as well as finding iodine in sea water. Tennant's fame, however, is firmly based on his discovery of the elements iridium and osmium.
First Recorded Locality:
Biagioni et al. (2020) delineate the series of Ag-poor tennantites, where Ag < 3 apfu, belong to the tennantite series.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
3911
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3911:2

IMA Classification of Tennantite SubgroupHide

Discredited
IMA status notes:
Redefined by the IMA
IMA Formula:
Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13
Approval history:
As per IMA 2018-K and Biagioni et al. (2020), the name tennantite now refers to a series (or more properly as a subgroup, as four members are known as of mid-2021). The Fe-dominant member seems to be the most common, unlike in tetrahedrite where the Zn-dominant member is the most common.

Classification of Tennantite SubgroupHide

2.GB.05

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
B : Neso-sulfarsenites, etc. with additional S
3.3.6.2

3 : SULFOSALTS
3 : 3 <ø < 4
5.1.2

5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
1 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Cu

Pronunciation of Tennantite SubgroupHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of Tennantite SubgroupHide

Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Grey-black, steel-gray, iron-gray, black
Streak:
Reddish grey, black, red-brown
Hardness:
3 - 4½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=294 - 380 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal

Optical Data of Tennantite SubgroupHide

Type:
Isotropic
Colour in reflected light:
gray, inclining to black to brown to cherry-red
Comments:
n greater than 2.72

Chemistry of Tennantite SubgroupHide

Mindat Formula:
Cu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S

In the A-site, group end-members contain six III(Cu+Ag) cations, where Cu>Ag.

C2+ = Fe2+, Zn, Cu, Hg and/or other species

Crystallography of Tennantite SubgroupHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:
I4 3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.19 Å
Unit Cell V:
1,058.09 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Tetrahedral to rounded crystals to 20 cm.
Twinning:
Twin axis [111], twin plane {111}

Crystallographic forms of Tennantite SubgroupHide

Crystal Atlas:
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Tennantite - {100}, modified
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by www.smorf.nl.

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0006002Tennantite SubgroupMakovicky E, Karanovic L, Poleti D, Balic-Zunic T, Paar W H (2005) Crystal structure of copper-rich unsubstituted tennantite, Cu12.5As4S13 The Canadian Mineralogist 43 679-68820050293
0010519Tennantite SubgroupPauling L, Neumann E W (1934) The crystal structure of binnite, (Cu,Fe)12As4S13, and the chemical composition and structure of minerals of the tetrahedrite group Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 88 54-621934Lengenbach quarry, Binnatal, Switzerland0293
0014744Tennantite SubgroupEdenharter A, Koto K, Nowacki W (1971) Uber pearceit, polybasit und binnit Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1971 337-34119710293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

Epitaxial Relationships of Tennantite SubgroupHide

Epitaxial Minerals:

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Loading XRD data...
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Geological Setting:
Hydrothermal veins and contact metamorphic deposits.

First Recorded Occurrence of Tennantite SubgroupHide

Synonyms of Tennantite SubgroupHide

Other Language Names for Tennantite SubgroupHide

Varieties of Tennantite SubgroupHide

Bismuth-bearing TennantiteA bismuthian variety of tennantite.
See also annivite.

A probable Bi-dominant phase was reported by Velebil & Sejkora (2018).
CuprobinniteA Ag-bearing variety of tennantite.
Lead-bearing TennantiteA Pb-bearing variety of tennantite with up to 5.5 wt% Pb.
Mercury-bearing TennantiteA mercury-bearing variety of tennantite.
If Hg>Zn/Fe, the material would be the As analogue of tetrahedrite-(Hg).


The Hg content is negatively correlated to both the Fe and, especially, the Zn content, and positively but weakly correlated to the Sb cont...
Silver-bearing TennantiteA silver-bearing variety of tennantite. Contains approx. 38 oz. Ag/Ton at United Verde Mine.
Tellurium-bearing TennantiteA tellurium-bearing variety of tennantite.
Zinc-bearing TennantiteA zinc-rich variety of tennantite.

Enrichment of zinc in tetrahedrite group minerals is much more rarely observed in tennantite than in tetrahedrite.

Relationship of Tennantite Subgroup to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of Tetrahedrite Group:
Annivite SubgroupCu6(Cu4 C2+2)Bi4S12S
Arsenofreibergite Subgroup(Ag6,[Ag6]4+)(Cu4 C2+2)As4S12S0-1
Freibergite Subgroup(Ag6,[Ag6]4+)(Cu4 C2+2)Sb4S12S0-1Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Giraudite SubgroupCu6(Cu4 C2+2)As4Se12Se
Goldfieldite Subgroup(Cu4(◻,Cu)2(Cu4Cu+2)((Te,Sb,As)2Te2)S12S
Hakite SubgroupCu6(Cu4 C2+2)Sb4Se12Se
Pošepnýite(Cu+33)(Hg2+4Cu+2)Sb4Se12(Se0.50.5)Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Rozhdestvenskayaite Subgroup(Ag6,[Ag6]4+)(Ag4 C2+2)Sb4S12S0-1
Tetrahedrite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Ústalečite Subgroup(Cu4(◻,Cu)2(Cu4Cu+2)((Te,Sb,As)2Te2)Se12Se
Zvěstovite Subgroup(Ag6,[Ag6]4+)(Ag4 C2+2)As4S12S0-1
Tennantite Subgroup Members:
Tennantite-(Cd) Cu6(Cu4Cd2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tennantite-(Cu) Cu6(Cu4Cu2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tennantite-(Fe) Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tennantite-(Hg) Cu6(Cu4Hg2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tennantite-(In) Cu6(Cu4(In3+Cu+))As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tennantite-(Mn) Cu6(Cu4Mn2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tennantite-(Ni) Cu6(Cu4Ni2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tennantite-(Zn) Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.GB.Polybasite-Tac[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.Kenoargentotetrahedrite-(Zn)[Ag6]4+(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Argentotetrahedrite-(Hg)Ag6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Annivite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Bi4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Pošepnýite(Cu+33)(Hg2+4Cu+2)Sb4Se12(Se0.50.5)Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.ArgentopearceiteAg16As2S11Trig. 3 2 : P3 2 1
2.GB.Tennantite-(Cu)Cu6(Cu4Cu2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Argentopolybasite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9AgS4]Trig. 3 2 : P3 2 1
2.GB.Tennantite-(Mn)Cu6(Cu4Mn2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Argentotetrahedrite-(Cd)Ag6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Stibioústalečite(Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(Sb2Te2)Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Stibiogoldfieldite(Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(Sb2Te2)S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Argentotetrahedrite-(Zn)Ag6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tetrahedrite-(Cd)Cu6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Arsenogoldfieldite(Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(As2Te2)S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Arsenoústalečite(Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(As2Te2)Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tennantite-(In)Cu6(Cu4(In3+Cu+))As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Zvěstovite-(Fe)Ag6(Ag4Fe2+2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Hakite-(Fe)Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tennantite-(Cd)Cu6(Cu4Cd2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.XKenorozhdestvenskayaite-(Fe)[Ag6]4+(Ag4Fe2+2)Sb4S12Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tetrahedrite-(Cu)Cu6(Cu4Cu2+2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Hakite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Zvěstovite-(Zn)Ag6(Ag4Zn2)As4S12SIso.
2.GB.Hakite-(Cd)Cu6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Kenoargentotennantite-(Fe)[Ag6]4+(Cu4Fe2)As4S12Iso.
2.GB.Tennantite-(Hg)Cu6(Cu4Hg2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tetrahedrite-(Mn)Cu6(Cu4Mn2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tennantite-(Ni)Cu6(Cu4Ni2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tetrahedrite-(Ni)Cu6(Cu4Ni2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Hakite-(Hg)Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Rozhdestvenskayaite-(Zn)Ag6(Ag4Zn2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Argentotennantite-(Zn)Ag6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Argentotennantite-(Fe)Ag6(Cu4Fe2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Freibergite Subgroup(Ag6,[Ag6]4+)(Cu4 C2+2)Sb4S12S0-1Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Tennantite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : F4 3m
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Tennantite-(Fe)Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite-(Fe)Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite-(Hg)Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Kenoargentotetrahedrite-(Fe)[Ag6]4+(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4S12Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Giraudite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Argentotetrahedrite-(Fe)Ag6(Cu4Fe2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Goldfieldite(Cu42)(Cu4Cu+2)Te4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05UM1992-21-S:AgFeSbAg6(Ag4Fe2+2)Sb4S12SIso.
2.GB.10SelenostephaniteAg5SbSe4Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
2.GB.10StephaniteAg5SbS4Orth. mm2 : Cmc21
2.GB.15UM2003-14-S:AgBiFeTeAg16FeBiTe3S8
2.GB.15UM1979-17-S:BiCuFe~Cu18Fe4BiS16
2.GB.15Pearceite[Ag6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15Cupropolybasite[Cu6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m : P3 1m
2.GB.15Fengruiite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS2Te2]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15Auropearceite [Ag9AuS4][Ag6As2S7]Trig. 3 2 : P3 2 1
2.GB.15Selenopolybasite[(Ag,Cu)6(Sb,As)2(S,Se)7][Ag9Cu(S,Se)2Se2]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15Polybasite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.GB.15Auropolybasite [Ag9AuS4][Ag6Sb2S7]Trig. 3 2 : P3 2 1
2.GB.15Cupropearceite[Cu6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.20Vorontsovite(Hg5Cu)Σ6TlAs4S12Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.20Ferrovorontsovite(Fe5Cu)Σ6TlAs4S12Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.20Galkhaite(Hg5Cu)CsAs4S12Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
Copper ore

Tennantite Subgroup in petrologyHide

An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.

Internet Links for Tennantite SubgroupHide

References for Tennantite SubgroupHide

Reference List:

Localities for Tennantite SubgroupHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

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