Baksanite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Baksanite
Formula:
Bi6Te2S3
Colour:
Bright steel-grey
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
1½ - 2
Specific Gravity:
8
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named after the discovery locality.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
6814
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:6814:3
IMA Classification of Baksanite
Approved
Approval year:
1992
First published:
1996
Classification of Baksanite
2.DC.05
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
D : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 3 :4 and 2:3
C : Variable M:S
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
D : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 3 :4 and 2:3
C : Variable M:S
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bks | 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 Baksanite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Bright steel-grey
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
1½ - 2 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN5=62 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Density:
8 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.98 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Baksanite
Anisotropism:
Distinct anisotropism from pale yellow to grey
Bireflectance:
Veryt faint
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 470nm | 48.2% | 52.1% |
| 546nm | 48.4% | 52.5% |
| 589nm | 48.8% | 51.9% |
| 650nm | 49.2% | 51.0% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 52.5%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Bright white
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
White to pale grey
Chemistry of Baksanite
Mindat Formula:
Bi6Te2S3
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Sb,S,Pb
Crystallography of Baksanite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
P3m1
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.249 Å, c = 62.82 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 14.785
Unit Cell V:
982 ų
Z:
3
Morphology:
Only {001} observed.
Twinning:
None observed.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.65 Å | (14) |
| 4.50 Å | (46) |
| 3.58 Å | (22) |
| 3.53 Å | (15) |
| 3.30 Å | (20) |
| 3.09 Å | (100) |
| 2.255 Å | (38) |
| 2.126 Å | (25) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations |
Type Occurrence of Baksanite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A. E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Moscow, Russia.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In small chlorite-calcite nests and veins in garnet-magnetite skarn.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Baksanite
Other Language Names for Baksanite
Relationship of Baksanite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Tetradymite Group:
| Ehrigite | Bi8Te3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Hedleyite | Bi7Te3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Ikunolite | Bi4S3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Ingodite | Bi2TeS | Trig. |
| Joséite-A | Bi4TeS2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Joséite-B | Bi4Te2S | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Kawazulite | Bi2Te2Se | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Laitakarite | Bi4(Se,S)3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Paraguanajuatite | Bi2Se3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Pilsenite | Bi4Te3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Skippenite | Bi2TeSe2 | Trig. |
| Sulphotsumoite | Bi3Te2S | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3 1m |
| Tellurantimony | Sb2Te3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Tellurobismuthite | Bi2Te3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Telluronevskite | Bi3TeSe2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| Tetradymite | Bi2Te2S | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Tsumoite | BiTe | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3 1m |
| Vihorlatite | Bi24Se17Te4 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| Zipserite | Bi5S4 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.DC.05 | Laitakarite | Bi4(Se,S)3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Paraguanajuatite | Bi2Se3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Telluronevskite | Bi3TeSe2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Hedleyite | Bi7Te3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Hitachiite | Pb5Bi2Te2S6 |
| 2.DC.05 | Tellurantimony | Sb2Te3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Joséite | Bi4TeS2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Tellurobismuthite | Bi2Te3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Joséite-A | Bi4TeS2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Joséite-B | Bi4Te2S |
| 2.DC.05 | Nevskite | Bi(Se,S) |
| 2.DC.05 | Tetradymite | Bi2Te2S |
| 2.DC.05 | Protojoséite | Bi3(Te,S)2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Skippenite | Bi2TeSe2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Kawazulite | Bi2Te2Se |
| 2.DC.05 | UM1983-09-S:BiPbTe | PbBi3S2Te |
| 2.DC.05 | Pilsenite | Bi4Te3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Sztrókayite | Bi3TeS2 |
| 2.DC.05 | Joséite-C | Bi16Te3S9 |
| 2.DC.05 | Vihorlatite | Bi24Se17Te4 |
| 2.DC.05 | Tsumoite | BiTe |
| 2.DC.05 | Ikunolite | Bi4S3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Ehrigite | Bi8Te3 |
| 2.DC.05 | Ingodite | Bi2TeS |
| 2.DC.05 | Sulphotsumoite | Bi3Te2S |
| 2.DC.15 | Castaingite | CuMo2S5 |
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 Baksanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-6814.html
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References for Baksanite
Localities for Baksanite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
China | |
| Bin Shu et al. (2006) |
Iran | |
| Nezafatis (2006) |
Italy | |
| Gentile et al. (2023) |
Russia | |
| Rogov et al. (2023) |
| Rogov et al. (2023) | |
| AM 48 (1963) +5 other references |
| Chernyavsky et al. (2012) +1 other reference |
Slovakia | |
| Bálintová et al. (2006) |
USA | |
| Rombach et al. (2002, October) |
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Tyrnyauz Mo-W deposit, Tyrnyauz Urban Settlement, Elbrussky District, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia