Mineralpedia Details for Argentopyrite

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Argentopyrite

Named for the silver content of the mineral after the Latin word for “silver,” argentum, and for the similarity to pyrite. Argentopyrite can be found in silver-bearing hydrothermal veins in association with arsenic, proustite, pyrargyrite, pyrostilpnite, xanthoconite, sternbergite, stephanite, pyrite, nickelskutterudite, dolomite, calcite, and quartz. It is a rare mineral that occurs in localities in the Czech Republic, Germany, England, Australia, Japan, Bolivia, and Canada, among a few others.

Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/argentopyrite.pdf

Formula: AgFe₂S₃
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Cleavage: None, None, None
Luster: Metallic
Color: blue, bronze brown, green, yellow, white
Class: Orthorhombic - Dipyramidal
Fracture: Brittle - Uneven
Hardness: 3.5-4
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Argentopyrite from Jachymov, Erzgegirge, Bohemia, Czech Republic

Special Info: Type Locality

Crystals of Argentopyrite to about 1mm showing cyclic twinning producing stout pseudohexagonal crystals with a violet tarnish. The pryramidal terminations are sometimes rough and some are perfect. Associated are Sternbergite as thick tabular, striated crystals to 1mm with a goldish tarnish

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Argentopyrite from St. Andreasberg dist., Harz, Lower Saxony, Germany

The specimen is mostly Pyrargyrite but is full of micro 1mm and less bronze to metallic gray Argentopyrite crystals. The photos do not do it justice. The crystals are orthorhombic twinned pseudohexagonal prisms with prominent re-entry angles appearing as deep striations much like aragonite.