Kostovite
Rare orthorhombic-pyramidal gray white telluride mineral
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kostovite (IMA symbol: Ktv) is a rare orthorhombic-pyramidal gray white telluride mineral containing copper and gold with chemical formula AuCuTe4.[2][3][4]
| Kostovite | |
|---|---|
Exhibition of Kostovite in the National Natural History Museum, Sofia, Bulgaria | |
| General | |
| Category | Telluride mineral |
| Formula | AuCuTe4 |
| IMA symbol | Ktv[1] |
| Strunz classification | 2.EA.15 (10 ed) 2/D.16-10 (8 ed) |
| Dana classification | 02.12.13.4 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Crystal class | Pyramidal (mm2) H-M Symbol: (mm2) |
| Space group | Pma2 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Grayish white |
| Twinning | Fine lamellar |
| Cleavage | Distinct/good |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2 – 2.5 |
| Luster | Metallic |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque |
| Specific gravity | 7.94 |
| Optical properties | Anisotropic |
| Pleochroism | Visible |
| References | [2][3][4][5][6] |
Discovery and occurrence
It was discovered by Bulgarian mineralogist Georgi Ivanov Terziev, who named it in honor of his professor Ivan Kostov (Иван Костов) (1913–2004).[7][8] In 1965 kostovite was approved as a new species by the International Mineralogical Association.[9] The type locality is Chelopech copper ore deposit, Bulgaria.[10] Small deposits have also been found in Kochbulak (Eastern Uzbekistan), Commoner mine (Zimbabwe), Kamchatka (Russian Far East), Ashanti (Ghana), Buckeye Gulch (Leadville, Colorado, US), Bisbee (Arizona, US),[11] Kutemajärvi (Finland), Coranda-Hondol (Romania), Glava (Sweden), Bereznjakovskoje (Southern Urals, Russia), Moctezuma (Sonora, Mexico), Panormos Bay (Tinos Island, Greece), Guilaizhuang Mine, Tongshi complex (Linyi Prefecture, Shandong Province, China), Kalgoorlie-Boulder City, (Goldfields-Esperance region, Western Australia, Australia).[12]
