Bilibinskite
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| Bilibinskite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Telluride mineral |
| Formula | Au3Cu2PbTe2 |
| IMA symbol | Bb[1] |
| Strunz classification | 02.BA.55 |
| Crystal system | Cubic |
| Crystal class | Sulfide |
| Identification | |
| Formula mass | 1,180.39 g/mol |
| Color | Bronze colored, light brown or brownish-pink |
| Crystal habit | Massive |
| Cleavage | None |
| Mohs scale hardness | 4.5 – 5 |
| Luster | Sub-metallic |
| Streak | golden brown |
| Diaphaneity | opaque |
| Density | 14.27 |
| Optical properties | Anisotropic |
| Other characteristics | IMA Status Approved (1978) |
| References | [2][3] |
Bilibinskite is an Au – Cu – Pb telluride. It is a rare mineral that was named after Soviet geologist Yuri Bilibin (1901–1952), who researched the geology of gold deposits during the time of the USSR.[4]
Bilibinskite is a metallic mineral with a color that ranges from opaque bronze-colored to light-brown or brownish-pink. It has a sub-metallic luster, a brown streak color and has no fission. Bilibinskite crystallizes in the cubic system. It has a high relative density of 14.27. The mineral has a hardness of 4.5 to 5 and it is not radioactive.