Berthierite
Sulfosalt mineral: FeSb2S4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Berthierite is a mineral, a sulfide of iron and antimony with formula FeSb2S4 (FeS·Sb2S3). It is steel grey in colour with a metallic lustre, which an iridescent tarnish can cover. Because of its appearance, it is often mistaken for stibnite (Sb2S3, an antimony trisulfide mineral, free of Fe2+ sulfide).
| Berthierite | |
|---|---|
| |
| General | |
| Category | Minerals |
| Formula | FeSb2S4 |
| IMA symbol | Btr[1] |
| Strunz classification | 2.HA.20 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Crystal class | Dipyramidal (mmm) H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Space group | Pnam |
| Identification | |
| Color | Steel grey |
| Cleavage | Poor/indistinct |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2–3 |
| Luster | Metallic |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque |
| Specific gravity | 4.64 |
It was discovered in France in 1827 and named for the French chemist, Pierre Berthier (1782–1861).
Berthierine, an iron(II)-rich phyllosilicate from the serpentine subgroup, with as chemical formula (Mg,Fe)3(Si2O5)(OH)4, was also named in honor of Pierre Berthier. The great similarity between the two names is a frequent source of confusion between these two very different mineral species.
