Proustite

Sulfosalt mineral
(repeating unit)Ag3AsS3IMA symbolPrs[1]Strunz classification2.GA.05
Neso-sulfarsenitesDana classification03.04.01.01
Proustite groupCrystal systemTrigonalCrystal classHexagonal scalenohedral (3m)
H-M Symbol: (3 2/m)Space groupR3cUnit cella = 10.79 Å, c = 8.69 Å; Z = 6IdentificationColorScarlet-vermilionCrystal habitCrystals prismatic and scalenohedral, massive, compactTwinningCommonCleavageDistinct on {1011}FractureConchoidal to unevenTenacityBrittleMohs scale hardness2 – 2.5LusterAdamantineStreakVermilionDiaphaneityTranslucent, darkens when exposed to lightSpecific gravity5.57 measured, 5.625 calculatedOptical propertiesUniaxial (−)Refractive indexnω = 3.087 – 3.088 nε = 2.792Birefringenceδ = 0.295 – 0.296PleochroismModerate; cochineal-red to blood-redReferences[2][3][4]

Proustite is a sulfosalt mineral consisting of silver sulfarsenide, Ag3AsS3, known also as ruby blende, light red silver, arsenic-silver blende or ruby silver ore, and an important source of the metal. It is closely allied to the corresponding sulfantimonide, pyrargyrite, from which it was distinguished by the chemical analyses of Joseph L. Proust (1754–1826) in 1804, after whom the mineral received its name.

The prismatic crystals are often terminated by the scalenohedron and the obtuse rhombohedron, thus resembling calcite (dog-tooth-spar) in habit. The color is scarlet-vermilion and the luster adamantine; crystals are transparent and very brilliant, but on exposure to light they soon become dull black and opaque. The streak is scarlet, the hardness 2 to 2.5,[5] and the specific gravity 5.57. Its transparency differs from specimen to specimen, but most are opaque or translucent.[6]

Proustite occurs in hydrothermal deposits as a phase in the oxidized and supergene zone. It is associated with other silver minerals and sulfides such as native silver, native arsenic, xanthoconite, stephanite, acanthite, tetrahedrite and chlorargyrite.[2]

Magnificent groups of large crystals have been found at Chañarcillo in Chile; other localities which have yielded fine specimens are Freiberg and Marienberg in Saxony, Joachimsthal in Bohemia and Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines in Alsace[citation needed].

  • Proustite (long prismatic crystal) – Chañarcillo, Copiapo Province, Chile. Specimen height is 4 cm.
    Proustite (long prismatic crystal) – Chañarcillo, Copiapo Province, Chile. Specimen height is 4 cm.

Structure

Subunit of the proustite structure, showing the connectivity of Ag, As (violet), S.
The structure of proustite can be viewed as the Ag+ derivative of [AsS3]3−.[7]

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Proustite.
  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ a b http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/proustite.pdf Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. ^ http://www.mindat.org/min-3294.html Mindat.org
  4. ^ http://www.webmineral.com/data/Proustite.shtml Webmineral
  5. ^ "Proustite". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
  6. ^ "Proustite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information". International Gem Society. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
  7. ^ Engel, P.; Nowacki, W."Die Verfeinerung der Kristallstruktur von Proustit, Ag3As S3 und Pyrargyrit, Ag3SbS3" Neues Jahrbuch fuer Mineralogie. Monatshefte 1966, p181-p184

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Proustite". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 22 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 490.