Category Arsenide mineral Strunz classification 2.AA.10b Space group I43d | Formula
(repeating unit) Cu3As Crystal system Isometric | |
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Crystal class Hextetrahedral (43m)
H-M symbol: (4 3m) | ||
Domeykite is a copper arsenide mineral, Cu3As. It crystallizes in the isometric system, although crystals are very rare. It typically forms as irregular masses or botryoidal forms. It is an opaque, white to gray (weathers brassy) metallic mineral with a Mohs hardness of 3 to 3.5 and a specific gravity of 7.2 to 8.1
It was first described in 1845 in the Algodones mines, Coquimbo, Chile. It was named after Polish mineralogist Ignacy Domeyko (1802–1889) by Wilhelm Haidinger.
Uses
Domeykite, being a minor copper ore is used for obtaining copper. It can also be polished and used for ornamental purposes.
References
Domeykite Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA