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What is Argyrodite used for?
THE MINERAL ARGYRODITE. Chemistry: Ag8GeS6, Silver Germanium Sulfide. Class: Sulfides. Uses: As mineral specimens and as a very minor ore of silver.
What does argyrodite mean?
: a steel-gray mineral Ag8GeS6 consisting of silver, germanium, and sulfur.
What element is extracted from argyrodite?
The color is iron-black with a purplish tinge, and the luster metallic. Discovered by Clemens Winkler in 1886, it is of interest as it was described shortly after the element germanium was isolated, 15 years after it had been postulated by Mendeleev….
| Argyrodite | |
|---|---|
| Pleochroism | Weak |
| References |
Where is Germanite found?
Namibia
Germanite is a rare copper iron germanium sulfide mineral discovered in 1922 from the Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otavi, Namibia. It is a member of the colusite group.
What is the hardness of arsenopyrite?
Arsenopyrite is an iron arsenic sulfide (FeAsS). It is a hard (Mohs 5.5-6) metallic, opaque, steel grey to silver white mineral with a relatively high specific gravity of 6.1. When dissolved in nitric acid, it releases elemental sulfur.
Is germanium toxic to humans?
Germanium is not an essential element. Its acute toxicity is low. However, at least 31 reported human cases linked prolonged intake of germanium products with renal failure and even death. Signs of kidney dysfunction, kidney tubular degeneration, and germanium accumulation were observed.
What is the chemical symbol of germanium?
Ge
Germanium/Symbol
How is sphalerite formed?
Many minable deposits of sphalerite are found where hydrothermal activity or contact metamorphism has brought hot, acidic, zinc-bearing fluids in contact with carbonate rocks. There, sphalerite can be deposited in veins, fractures, and cavities, or it can form as mineralizations or replacements of its host rocks.
Is obtained from Germanite?
Germanite is a rare copper iron germanium sulfide mineral, Cu26Fe4Ge4S32. It is only a minor source of this important semiconductor element, which is mainly derived from the processing of the zinc sulfide mineral sphalerite. Germanite contains gallium, zinc, molybdenum, arsenic, and vanadium as impurities.
What rock is tetrahedrite found in?
The mineral usually occurs in massive form, it is a steel gray to black metallic mineral with Mohs hardness of 3.5 to 4 and specific gravity of 4.6 to 5.2. Tetrahedrite occurs in low to moderate temperature hydrothermal veins and in some contact metamorphic deposits. It is a minor ore of copper and associated metals.
Is arsenopyrite a rare mineral?
Arsenopyrite is an iron arsenic sulfide with a chemical composition of FeAsS. It is the most abundant arsenic-bearing mineral and the primary ore of arsenic metal. It is not an uncommon mineral.
Is germanium safe to wear?
Inorganic (elemental) germanium is LIKELY UNSAFE. This includes certain compounds such as germanium oxide. There have been more than 30 reports of kidney failure and death linked with use of these forms of germanium. It builds up in the body and can damage vital organs such as the kidneys.