Famatinite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Famatinite
Sierra de Famatina
Formula:
Cu3SbS4
Colour:
Deep pinkish brown
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.635
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Member of:
Name:
From the type locality, Sierra de Famatina, Argentina.
Type Locality:
Luzonite-Famatinite Series.
The synthetic system Cu3AsxSb1-xS4 has a two phase region at x = 0.8. Mixtures with x < 0.8 crystallize in the famatinite type, compositions with x > 0.8 crystallize in the enargite type (Pfitzner & Bernert, 2004).
The synthetic system Cu3AsxSb1-xS4 has a two phase region at x = 0.8. Mixtures with x < 0.8 crystallize in the famatinite type, compositions with x > 0.8 crystallize in the enargite type (Pfitzner & Bernert, 2004).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1451
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1451:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
90ddb16c-aa27-4f58-9622-45d86b329a24
IMA Classification of Famatinite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1873
Classification of Famatinite
2.KA.10
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
K : Sulfarsenates, Sulfantimonates
A : Sulfarsenates with (As,Sb)S4 tetrahedra
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
K : Sulfarsenates, Sulfantimonates
A : Sulfarsenates with (As,Sb)S4 tetrahedra
3.2.2.2
3 : SULFOSALTS
2 : ø = 4
3 : SULFOSALTS
2 : ø = 4
6.3.3
6 : Sulphosalts - Sulphostannates, Sulphogermanates,Sulpharsenates, Sulphantimonates, Sulphovanadates and Sulphohalides
3 : Sulpharsenates and sulphantimonates
6 : Sulphosalts - Sulphostannates, Sulphogermanates,Sulpharsenates, Sulphantimonates, Sulphovanadates and Sulphohalides
3 : Sulpharsenates and sulphantimonates
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Fam | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Fam | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Famatinite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Deep pinkish brown
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on {101}
Distinct on {110}
Good on {101}
Distinct on {110}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
4.635 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.66 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Famatinite
Anisotropism:
Strong, greenish yellow and purplish red
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 24.4% | 30.0% |
| 420nm | 24.2% | 25.5% |
| 440nm | 24.0% | 25.0% |
| 460nm | 23.8% | 24.1% |
| 480nm | 23.1% | 23.4% |
| 500nm | 22.7% | 23.1% |
| 520nm | 22.9% | 23.6% |
| 540nm | 23.8% | 25.0% |
| 560nm | 24.3% | 26.0% |
| 580nm | 24.5% | 26.5% |
| 600nm | 24.8% | 27.0% |
| 620nm | 25.4% | 27.5% |
| 640nm | 26.0% | 28.1% |
| 660nm | 26.8% | 28.6% |
| 680nm | 27.3% | 29.0% |
| 700nm | 27.5% | 29.4% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 30.0%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Pale brownish pink
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Light orange, pink-violet
Chemistry of Famatinite
Mindat Formula:
Cu3SbS4
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Fe,As,Bi
Crystallography of Famatinite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4 2m - Scalenohedral
Space Group:
I4 2m
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.38 Å, c = 10.76 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2
Unit Cell V:
311.44 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Massive, granular, reniform
Twinning:
Polysynthetic
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009468 | Famatinite | Garin J, Parthe E (1972) The crystal structure of Cu3PSe4 and other ternary normal tetrahedral structure compounds with composition 1_356_4 Acta Crystallographica B28 3672-3674 |  | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0011106 | Famatinite | Pfitzner A, Bernert T (2004) The system Cu3AsS4 - Cu3SbS4 and investigations on normal tetrahedral structures Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 219 20-26 | 2004 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.108 Å | (100) |
| 1.9020 Å | (65) |
| 1.6233 Å | (35) |
| 1.0989 Å | (25) |
| 2.692 Å | (20) |
| 1.9041 Å | (16) |
| 1.6209 Å | (16) |
Comments:
Synthetic.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 12 : Hadean hydrothermal subsurface sulfide deposits (see also #33) |
Geological Setting:
Low to moderate temperature copper deposits.
Type Occurrence of Famatinite
Reference:
Stelzner, A. (1873) Mineralogische beobachtungen im gebiete der Argentinischen Republik. Mineralogische Mittheilungen: 4: 219-254 (242).
Synonyms of Famatinite
Other Language Names for Famatinite
Varieties of Famatinite
| Selenium-bearing Famatinite | A selenium-bearing variety of famatinite with up to 23.89% (w/w) of selenium. Liu et al. (2000) discern seleniferous famatinite (in Chinese: 含硒诀硫锑铜矿, translating as selenium-bearing famatinite) with selenium substituting for less than 20 mo... |
| Stibioluzonite (of Schneiderhöhn & Ramdohr) | As-rich variety of famatinite. See also Stibioluzonite (of Strunz), which is a synonym of Famatinite. |
Relationship of Famatinite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Briartite | Cu2(Fe,Zn)GeS4 | Tet. |
| Černýite | Cu2(Cd,Zn,Fe)SnS4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
| Ferrokësterite | Cu2FeSnS4 | Tet. 4 : I4 |
| Hocartite | Ag2(Fe2+,Zn)SnS4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
| Kësterite | Cu2ZnSnS4 | Tet. 4 : I4 |
| Keutschite | Cu2AgAsS4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
| Kuramite | Cu3SnS4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
| Luzonite | Cu3AsS4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
| Omariniite | Cu8Fe2ZnGe2S12 | Orth. 2 2 2 : I2 2 2 |
| Permingeatite | Cu3SbSe4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
| Petrukite | (Cu,Fe,Zn,Ag)3(Sn,In)S4 | Orth. mm2 : Pmn21 |
| Pirquitasite | Ag2ZnSnS4 | Tet. 4 : I4 |
| Richardsite | Zn2CuGaS4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
| Stannite | Cu2FeSnS4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
| Stannoidite | Cu+6Cu2+2(Fe2+,Zn)3Sn2S12 | Orth. 2 2 2 : I2 2 2 |
| UM1984-30-S:CuFeSn | Cu2Fe2Sn3S7 | |
| Unnamed (Cu-Zn-In Sulphide) | CuZn2InS4 | |
| Velikite | Cu2HgSnS4 | Tet. 4 : I4 |
| Zincobriartite | Cu2(Zn,Fe)(Ge,Ga)S4 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 221 photos of Famatinite associated with Gold | Au |
| 167 photos of Famatinite associated with Bismuthinite | Bi2S3 |
| 58 photos of Famatinite associated with Alunite | KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 35 photos of Famatinite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 33 photos of Famatinite associated with Tetrahedrite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12S |
| 28 photos of Famatinite associated with Goldfieldite | (Cu4◻2)(Cu4Cu+2)Te4S12S |
| 26 photos of Famatinite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 24 photos of Famatinite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 19 photos of Famatinite associated with Cuprite | Cu2O |
| 12 photos of Famatinite associated with Covellite | CuS |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.KA.05 | Enargite | Cu3AsS4 |
| 2.KA.05 | Petrukite | (Cu,Fe,Zn,Ag)3(Sn,In)S4 |
| 2.KA.10 | Briartite | Cu2(Fe,Zn)GeS4 |
| 2.KA.10 | Luzonite | Cu3AsS4 |
| 2.KA.10 | Permingeatite | Cu3SbSe4 |
| 2.KA.10 | Barquillite | Cu2CdGeS4 |
| 2.KA.10 | Keutschite | Cu2AgAsS4 |
| 2.KA.10 | Zincobriartite | Cu2(Zn,Fe)(Ge,Ga)S4 |
| 2.KA.15 | Fangite | Tl3AsS4 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Famatinite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1451.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Famatinite
Reference List:
Tatsuka, Kiyoaki, Morimoto, Nobuo (1977) Tetrahedrite stability relations in the Cu-Fe-Sb-S system. American Mineralogist, 62 (11-12) 1101-1109
Dutková, Erika, Kováč, Jaroslav, Kováč, Jaroslav, Hejtmánek, Jiří, Levinský, Petr, Kashimbetova, Adelia, Sayagués, María Jesús, Fabián, Martin, Lukáčová Bujňáková, Zdenka, Baláž, Matej, Gáborová, Katarína, Puchý, Viktor, Čelko, Ladislav (2023) Properties of Mechanochemically Synthesized Famatinite Cu3SbS4 Nanocrystals. Micro, 3 (2) 458-470 doi:10.3390/micro3020030
Localities for Famatinite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Arctic Ocean | |
| Kravchishina et al. (2023) |
Argentina | |
| DE BRODTKORB +1 other reference |
| Sureda (1978) |
| Brodtkorb (2002) +1 other reference |
| Brotkorb (2002) +1 other reference | |
| Paar et al. (2005, January) | |
| DE BRODTKORB | |
| Stelzner (1873) +2 other references |
| ROBL +1 other reference |
| Brodtkorb (2002) | |
| Salado-Paz et al. (2022) | |
| Alfredo Petrov (re-addition of previous input) +2 other references | |
| Zubía et al. (2008) |
Australia | |
| Vera Munro-Smith (2006) |
| Base Metal Mineralisation at Mineral ... |
| McQueen (1987) |
| Teale et al. (2006) | |
| Simpson Mineral Collection of the ... |
| Huston (2007) |
| Huston (2007) | |
| Huston (2007) | |
| Sugiono et al. (2021) |
| Barley (1998) |
Austria | |
| H.Meixner (1974) |
| H. Meixner: Carinthia II 146./66.:25-26 (1956) | |
| W. Paar (1980) | |
| Paar et al. (1985) |
| Mrazek et al. (1992) |
| Vohryzka (1968) |
| Lapis 19 (7/8) |
| Lapis 19 (7/8) | |
| Lapis 19 (7/8) |
| Lapis 19 (7/8) |
| Lapis 19 (7/8) |
| Lapis 19 (7/8) |
| Putz et al. (2007) |
| Lapis 19 (7/8) | |
| Lapis 19 (7/8) |
Bolivia | |
| Federico Ahlfeld and Alejandro Schneider-Scherbina (1964) |
| Dill (1998) |
| Färber (n.d.) |
| Torró et al. (2019) |
| USGS Bulletin # 1975. |
| Kempff et al. (La Paz, 2009) |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Ljudevit Barić |
Bulgaria | |
| Lips (2006) |
| American Mineralogist (1966) |
Canada | |
| Parrish (1977) |
| Lang (1952) |
| Lang (1952) | |
| Lang (1952) | |
| Lang (1952) |
Chile | |
| Cook (1978) |
| Sernageomin database 2005 +1 other reference |
| "Faja de mineralización de oro +2 other references |
China | |
| Xinhui Liu et al. (2010) |
| Jiajun Liu et al. (2005) |
| Gao et al. (2018) |
| Qiuming Chen (1990) |
| Peters (2002) |
| Jiajun Liu et al. (1998) |
France | |
| J.J. Périchaud : "Les Gisements Métalliques du District à Antimoine de Brioude-Massiac (Massif-Central Français) |
| Pélisson (1989) |
| Pélisson (1989) |
| Pélisson (1989) |
| Pélisson (1989) |
| Pélisson (1989) | |
| Pélisson (1989) |
| R.PIERROT et al. (1973) |
| Brousse (1982) |
| Sur la présence de ménéghinite dans deux gîtes français. AICARD et coll. (1968) |
| Mari et al. (1979) |
| Mari et al. (1979) | |
| Mari et al. (1979) | |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) +1 other reference |
| Rank (1985) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Henrich et al. (2019) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Wittern (2001) |
Greece | |
| |
| Voudouris et al. (2019) |
| Rieck et al. (2018) |
| Uwe Kolitsch (SEM-EDS analyses) |
| Skarpelis (1999) |
| Melfos +13 other references |
| Voudouris (2005) | |
| Periferakis et al. (2017, April) |
| biomine.brgm.fr (2015) |
| Papavasiliou et al. (2016) |
| Tombros (2008) |
| Bonev et al. (2005) +2 other references | |
Greenland | |
| Petersen (2001) |
Hungary | |
| Society of Economic Geologists Student Chapter University of Miskolc (2018) |
| Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya | |
India | |
| Tripathi et al. (2022) |
Indonesia | |
| doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.13179.41767 +1 other reference |
| Hakim (2017) | |
| The Canadian Mineralogist Vol. 41 (2003) +1 other reference |
Iran | |
| Altenberger et al. (Ag-Au) |
| Mehrabi et al. (2016) |
Ireland | |
| Ryback et al. (1988) |
Italy | |
| G. P. Bernhardini et al. (1973) +1 other reference |
| Moelo et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
| Orlandi et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
| Orlandi et al. (1980) +2 other references |
| Orlandi et al. (1976) +5 other references |
| Orlandi et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
| AA. VV. | |
| Orlandi et al. (2009) | |
| Orlandi P. +1 other reference | |
| Orlandi et al. (2002) +1 other reference | |
| Hollis et al. (2021) |
Japan | |
| Ishiyama et al. (1989) |
| Imai et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
| 島倉広至 et al. (2015) +1 other reference | |
| Yuningsih et al. (2018) |
| Previously reported as "stibioluzonite". (Introduction to Japanese Minerals, Geological Survey of Japan, 1970) +3 other references |
Kazakhstan | |
| Singer et al. (2008) |
| Singer et al. (2008) |
| - (2005) |
| - (2005) |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| ... |
Malaysia | |
| Wolfram Dieter Schuh (1993) |
Mexico | |
| Lapis 2001 (1) |
Namibia | |
| Gramaccioli |
North Macedonia | |
| Tasev et al. (2018) |
| Serafimovski et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
| Serafimovski et al. (2006) | |
| Serafimovski et al. (2005) | |
Papua New Guinea | |
| Singer et al. (2005) |
Peru | |
| Gibson (1992) |
| Min.Rec. 28 (1997) |
| Lewis Jr (1964) | |
| Min.Rec. 28 (1997) |
| Gebhard +2 other references |
| Graton +1 other reference |
| 7th Biennial +1 other reference |
Philippines | |
| Econ Geol (1996) |
| Gramaccioli | |
| Fermor 2011: Ore Deposits in an ... | |
Poland | |
| Piestrzyński et al. (2012) |
| Kucha H. 2007: Mineralogia kruszcowa i ... |
Portugal | |
| Mateus et al. (2005) |
| Mateus |
Romania | |
| Dincă et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Plotinskaya et al. (2009) |
| Yakich et al. (2021) |
| Andreeva et al. (2013) |
| Плутахина |
| Tolstykh et al. (2019) +2 other references | |
| Okrugin et al. (an Example of Mutnovsky Geothermal Area, Southern Kamchatka) |
| Chernyavsky et al. (2012) +1 other reference |
| Nenasheva et al. (2011) |
| Bortnikov et al. (2007) |
| Shevko et al. (2018) |
| Kovalev et al. (2019) |
Serbia | |
| Drovenik (1958) |
Slovakia | |
| Onačila F. et al. (1995) |
| Martin Števko-unpublished |
| Sejkora et al. (2024) | |
| Koděra (1986) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1992) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Tornos et al. (1998) |
Taiwan | |
| L. P. Tan (1993) |
| Rozenweg A. (1975) | |
Tunisia | |
| Slim-Shimi et al. (1996) |
UK | |
| [J.Russell Soc. 1998:41] |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Schwartz et al. (1932) +1 other reference | |
| Butler et al. (1938b) +2 other references |
| Butler et al. (1938b) +2 other references |
| Hammer (1968) +3 other references |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 135 +4 other references |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 136 +4 other references |
| Hall (1958) +2 other references |
| Vikre |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| - (2005) |
| Sherwood et al. (1998) |
| Szarkowski (2019) |
| Chris Tucker and John Betts specimens. +1 other reference |
| - (2005) |
| - (2005) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference | |
| - (2005) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference | |
| Ransome et al. (1909) +1 other reference | |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference | |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference | |
| - (2005) | |
| Rocks & Minerals +1 other reference | |
| Frederick L. Ransome (1909) | |
| Jon Aurich data | |
| - (2005) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference | |
| - (2005) | |
| Econ Geol (1989) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| - (2005) | |
| Econ Geol (1989) +1 other reference | |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) |
| Econ Geol (1994) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Lasmanis (1995) |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:388-389 |
| - (2005) +1 other reference | |
Uzbekistan | |
| Anthony et al. (1990) +2 other references |
| Evseev (1995) +3 other references |
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Chinkuashih mine, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan