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The Mineral alabandite

Alabandite Crystal Cluster

Alabandite is an uncommon sulfide with a fairly simple chemical formula. It was first described as a mineral species in 1784 by Franz-Joseph Müller von Reichenstein, an Austrian mineralogist and mining engineer. (Reichenstein is credited for discovering tellurium.) The name Alabandite is derived from the Alabanda Region of Ayden, Turkey. However, this region is not a known producer of this mineral.

Chemical Formula

MnS

Color

Dark brown, dark gray

Crystal System

Isometric

Properties

Streak
Dark green
Hardness
3.5 - 4
Transparency
Opaque
Specific Gravity
3.9 - 4.1
Luster
Submetallic to metallic
Cleavage
1,3
Fracture
Uneven
Tenacity
Brittle

Crystal Habits

In octahedral or cubic crystals, or in combinations of these crystals. Crystals usually form in clusters, although single crystals are also known, mainly octahedral. Twinning may occur. Also in arborescent growths. Commonly grainy or massive.

Additional Information

Composition
Manganese sulfide
In Group
Sulfides; Simple Sulfides
Striking Features
Crystal habits, color, and mode of occurence.
Environment
Low-temperature epithermal sulfide veins in manganese deposits. Rarely a constituent of meteorites.
Rock Type
Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic, Meteoric

Noteworthy Localities

The Uchucchacua Mine, Oyon Province, Peru is well-known for producing Alabandite in large octahedral crystals, as well as crystal clusters of cubic-octahedral combinations. Sharp octahedral crystals, often as floaters, have recently been discovered in the Merelani Hills, Arusha, Tanzania. In Australia, an interesting arborescent form of Alabandite was found in a one-time occurrence at Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia.

Small microcrystals of Alabandite have come from the Garpenberg Norra Mine, Hedemora, Dalarna, Sweden; and Alabandite with contrasting Rhodochrosite from Sacarîmb, Hunedoara Co., Romania. Massive Alabandite often associated with Rhodochrosite comes from Onavas, Sonora, Mexico.

Common Mineral Associations

Rhodochrosite, Calcite, Quartz, Pyrite, Diopside, Rhodonite

Distingushing Similar Minerals

Galena - Lower specific gravity.

alabandite Photos



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