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The tetrahedrite group: Nomenclature and classification

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dc.contributor.authorBiagioni, C.
dc.contributor.authorGeorge, L.L.
dc.contributor.authorCook, N.J.
dc.contributor.authorMakovicky, E.
dc.contributor.authorMoelo, Y.
dc.contributor.authorPasero, M.
dc.contributor.authorSejkora, J.
dc.contributor.authorStanley, C.J.
dc.contributor.authorMark, D.W.H.
dc.contributor.authorBosi, F.
dc.date.issued2020
dc.description.abstractThe classification of the tetrahedrite group minerals in keeping with the current IMA-accepted nomenclature rules is discussed. Tetrahedrite isotypes are cubic, with space group symmetry I43m. The general structural formula of minerals belonging to this group can be written as M(2)A6M(1)(B4C2)X(3)D4S(1)Y12S(2)Z, where A = Cu+, Ag+, o (vacancy), and (Ag6)4+ clusters; B = Cu+, and Ag+; C = Zn2+, Fe2+, Hg2+, Cd2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Cu+, and Fe3+; D = Sb3+, As3+, Bi3+, and Te4+; Y = S2– and Se2–; and Z = S2–, Se2–, and o. The occurrence of both Me⁺ and Me²⁺ cations at the M(1) site, in a 4:2 atomic ratio, is a case of valency-imposed double site-occupancy. Consequently, different combinations of B and C constituents should be regarded as separate mineral species. The tetrahedrite group is divided into five different series on the basis of the A, B, D, and Y constituents, i.e., the tetrahedrite, tennantite, freibergite, hakite, and giraudite series. The nature of the dominant C constituent (the so-called “charge-compensating constituent”) is made explicit using a hyphenated suffix between parentheses. Rozhdestvenskayaite, arsenofreibergite, and goldfieldite could be the names of three other series. Eleven minerals belonging to the tetrahedrite group are considered as valid species: argentotennantite-(Zn), argentotetrahedrite-(Fe), kenoargentotetrahedrite-(Fe), giraudite-(Zn), goldfieldite, hakite-(Hg), rozhdestvenskayaite-(Zn), tennantite-(Fe), tennantite-(Zn), tetrahedrite-(Fe), and tetrahedrite-(Zn). Furthermore, annivite is formally discredited. Minerals corresponding to different end-member compositions should be approved as new mineral species by the IMA-CNMNC following the submission of regular proposals. The nomenclature and classification system of the tetrahedrite group, approved by the IMA-CNMNC, allows the full description of the chemical variability of the tetrahedrite minerals and it is able to convey important chemical information not only to mineralogists but also to ore geologists and industry professionals.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityCristian Biagioni, Luke L. George, Nigel J. Cook, Emil Makovicky, Yves Moëlo, Marco Pasero, Jiří Sejkora, Chris J. Stanley, Mark D. Welch, and Ferdinando Bosi
dc.identifier.citationAmerican Mineralogist: an international journal of earth and planetary materials, 2020; 105(1):109-122
dc.identifier.doi10.2138/am-2020-7128
dc.identifier.issn0003-004X
dc.identifier.issn1945-3027
dc.identifier.orcidCook, N.J. [0000-0002-7470-3935]
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2440/147000
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherMineralogical Society of America
dc.rights© 2020 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.2138/am-2020-7128
dc.subjectTetrahedrite group; sulfosalts; nomenclature; classification
dc.titleThe tetrahedrite group: Nomenclature and classification
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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