Mckinstryite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Mckinstryite
Formula:
Ag5-xCu3+xS4
x ≈ 0-0.28
Colour:
Steel gray
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
1½ - 2½
Specific Gravity:
6.61
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honor of Hugh Exton McKinstry (5 May 1896, West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA - 30 June 1961), Professor of Geology, Harvard University, "in recognition of his many contributions to the geology and geochemistry of precious and base-metal deposits." Among other roles, he was president of the Society of Economic Geologists.
Low-temperature sulphide, often associated with the chemically related stromeyerite and jalpaite.
Formula previously given in a simplified way as (Ag,Cu)2S, now revised to ~Ag5Cu3S4 on the basis of a crystal structure solution (Kolitsch, 2010).
Formula previously given in a simplified way as (Ag,Cu)2S, now revised to ~Ag5Cu3S4 on the basis of a crystal structure solution (Kolitsch, 2010).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2619
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2619:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
c5de78c2-1ca8-4260-a4df-cbfa487f5b5a
IMA Classification of Mckinstryite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ag5Cu3S4
First published:
1966
Classification of Mckinstryite
2.BA.40
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
A : With Cu, Ag, Au
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
A : With Cu, Ag, Au
2.4.5.1
2 : SULFIDES
4 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 2:1
2 : SULFIDES
4 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 2:1
3.2.11
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
2 : Sulphides etc. of Ag
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
2 : Sulphides etc. of Ag
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Mck | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Mckinstryite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Steel gray
Comment:
Tarnishes to dark gray to black
Streak:
Dark steel-gray
Hardness:
1½ - 2½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN25=43 - 45 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
One poor direction.
One poor direction.
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
6.61 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.57 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Mckinstryite
Anisotropism:
Strong in gray, pale grayish blue and light tan.
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
---|---|---|
400nm | 34.0% | 40.1% |
420nm | 34.0% | 39.5% |
440nm | 33.9% | 39.8% |
460nm | 33.7% | 37.8% |
480nm | 32.9% | 36.6% |
500nm | 31.9% | 35.3% |
520nm | 31.0% | 34.2% |
540nm | 30.2% | 33.3% |
560nm | 29.6% | 32.4% |
580nm | 29.1% | 31.7% |
600nm | 28.7% | 31.1% |
620nm | 28.5% | 30.5% |
640nm | 28.2% | 30.1% |
660nm | 27.9% | 29.4% |
680nm | 27.6% | 28.8% |
700nm | 27.4% | 28.4% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 40.1%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Light grayish white.
Chemistry of Mckinstryite
Mindat Formula:
Ag5-xCu3+xS4
x ≈ 0-0.28
x ≈ 0-0.28
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Mckinstryite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.043 Å, b = 7.803 Å, c = 15.677 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.8 : 1 : 2.009
Unit Cell V:
1,717.85 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Granular aggregates.
Comment:
Cell data for type material.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0014598 | Mckinstryite | Kolitsch U (2010) The crystal structure and compositional range of mckinstryite Mineralogical Magazine 74 73-84 | 2010 | Clara Mine, Black Forest, Germany | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
2.606 Å | (100) |
2.070 Å | (70) |
3.51 Å | (60) |
3.06 Å | (60) |
2.862 Å | (60) |
1.948 Å | (50) |
2.567 Å | (40) |
Comments:
Foster mine, Cobalt, Canada. The data are from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Geological Setting:
Low temperature hydrothermal deposits.
Type Occurrence of Mckinstryite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Masses of intergrown crystals 0.2 to 3 mm in diameter.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Canada, number 12136 (holotype).
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 120056 (type).
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, number 108804.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 120056 (type).
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, number 108804.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Ag-Co-Ni-Cu deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Skinner, B.J., Jambor, J.L. and Ross, M. (1966) Mckinstryite, a new copper-silver sulfide. Economic Geology: 61: 1383-1389.
Synonyms of Mckinstryite
Other Language Names for Mckinstryite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Mckinstryite associated with Stromeyerite | AgCuS |
2 photos of Mckinstryite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
2 photos of Mckinstryite associated with Balkanite | Cu9Ag5HgS8 |
2 photos of Mckinstryite associated with Plumbogummite | PbAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
1 photo of Mckinstryite associated with Vaterite | CaCO3 |
1 photo of Mckinstryite associated with Jalpaite | Ag3CuS2 |
1 photo of Mckinstryite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
1 photo of Mckinstryite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
1 photo of Mckinstryite associated with Silver | Ag |
1 photo of Mckinstryite associated with Iodargyrite | AgI |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
2.BA. | Orileyite | (Fe,Cu)2As |
2.BA. | Alburnite | Ag8GeTe2S4 |
2.BA. | Dzierżanowskite | CaCu2S2 |
2.BA. | Makotoite | Ag12(Cu3Au)S8 |
2.BA. | Xuwenyuanite | Ag9Fe3+Te2S4 |
2.BA.05 | Chalcocite | Cu2S |
2.BA.05 | Djurleite | Cu31S16 |
2.BA.05 | Geerite | Cu8S5 |
2.BA.05 | Roxbyite | Cu9S5 |
2.BA.10 | Anilite | Cu7S4 |
2.BA.10 | Digenite | Cu9S5 |
2.BA.15 | Bornite | Cu5FeS4 |
2.BA.20 | Bellidoite | Cu2Se |
2.BA.20 | Berzelianite | Cu2-xSe (x ≈ 0.12) |
2.BA.25 | Athabascaite | Cu5Se4 |
2.BA.25 | Umangite | Cu3Se2 |
2.BA.30 | Rickardite | Cu7Te5 |
2.BA.30 | Weissite | Cu2-xTe |
2.BA.35 | Acanthite | Ag2S |
2.BA.35 | Spryite | Ag8(As3+0.5As5+0.5)S6 |
2.BA.40 | Stromeyerite | AgCuS |
2.BA.40d | UM2003-13-S:AgAuCu | Ag6AuCu2S5 |
2.BA.42 | Honeaite | Au3TlTe2 |
2.BA.45 | Jalpaite | Ag3CuS2 |
2.BA.45 | Kurilite | Ag8Te3Se |
2.BA.45 | Selenojalpaite | Ag3CuSe2 |
2.BA.47 | Spiridonovite | (Cu1-xAgx)2Te |
2.BA.50 | Eucairite | AgCuSe |
2.BA.50 | Wuyanzhiite | Cu2S |
2.BA.52 | Argentite | Ag2S |
2.BA.55 | Aguilarite | Ag4SeS |
2.BA.55 | Naumannite | Ag2Se |
2.BA.60 | Cervelleite | Ag4TeS |
2.BA.60 | Hessite | Ag2Te |
2.BA.60 | Chenguodaite | Ag9Fe3+Te2S4 |
2.BA.65 | Henryite | (Cu,Ag)3+xTe2 , with x ~ 0.40 |
2.BA.65 | Stützite | Ag5-xTe3, x = 0.24-0.36 |
2.BA.70 | Argyrodite | Ag8GeS6 |
2.BA.70 | Canfieldite | Ag8SnS6 |
2.BA.70 | Putzite | (Cu4.7Ag3.3)GeS6 |
2.BA.75 | Fischesserite | Ag3AuSe2 |
2.BA.75 | Penzhinite | (Ag,Cu)4Au(S,Se)4 |
2.BA.75 | Petrovskaite | AuAgS |
2.BA.75 | Petzite | Ag3AuTe2 |
2.BA.75 | Uytenbogaardtite | Ag3AuS2 |
2.BA.80 | Bezsmertnovite | (Au,Ag)4Cu(Te,Pb) |
2.BA.80 | Bilibinskite | PbCu2Au3Te2 |
2.BA.80 | Bogdanovite | (Au,Te,Pb)3(Cu,Fe) |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Stable below 94.4 degrees C.
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 Mckinstryite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2619.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Mckinstryite
Reference List:
Skinner, Brian John (1966) The system Cu-Ag-S. Economic Geology, 61 (1) 1-26 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.61.1.1
Skinner, Brian J., Jambor, John L., Ross, Malcolm (1966) Mckinstryite, a new copper-silver sulfide. Economic Geology, 61 (8) 1383-1389 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.61.8.1383
Robinson, B. W., Morton, R. D. (1971) Mckinstryite from the Echo Bay Mine, N.W.T., Canada. Economic Geology, 66 (2) 342-347 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.66.2.342
Bergstøl, S., Vokes, F.M. (1974) Stromeyerite and mckinstryite from the Godejord polymetallic sulphide deposit, central Norweigan Caledonides. Mineralium Deposita, 9 (4) doi:10.1007/bf00206635
Localities for Mckinstryite
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).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Márquez-Zavalía et al. (2016) |
| Mugas Lobos et al. (2020) |
| Permuy Vidal et al. (2016) |
Australia | |
| Birch (1999) |
| Marshall (2001) |
Austria | |
| Exel (1993) |
R.Poeverlein (2016) | |
Bolivia | |
| Dr. Werner Paar analyses |
Brazil | |
| Berni et al. (2016) |
Bulgaria | |
| ATANASSOVA +4 other references |
Canada | |
| Tyson (1989) |
Robinson et al. (1971) | |
| 159-161. +1 other reference |
| Dana 7:I:343. +1 other reference |
Richard Gunter | |
| Sabina (2003) +1 other reference |
Chile | |
| Econ Geol (1987) |
China | |
| Dong Zhensheng et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
| Xiang-Ping Gu et al. (2003) |
| Xiumei Xiao (1992) +3 other references |
Czech Republic | |
| Škácha et al. (2019) |
| Sejkora et al. (2024) |
| [Lapis 1995 |
Šulcová et al. (1986) | |
Egypt | |
| Faisal et al. (2021) |
Canadian Mineralogist Feb. 1999 +2 other references | |
Germany | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2010) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) |
Indonesia | |
| Syafrizal +5 other references |
Japan | |
| Suji Ohno & Juichi Sato Ganko Vol. 90 (1995) |
| Shimizu et al. (1998) |
| Imai et al. (1972) +2 other references |
| Taguchi et al. (1974) |
| Akasaka (2007) |
Akasaka et al. (2007, August) +1 other reference | |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pekov et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) | |
| Anthony et al. (1990) |
Malaysia | |
| Basori et al. (2021) |
Basori et al. (2021) | |
| Wolfram Dieter Schuh (1993) |
Mexico | |
| Sotelo (2016) |
Namibia | |
| Desor (11/2020) |
New Zealand | |
| Fyfe (2014) |
Fyfe (2014) | |
Simpson et al. (2011) | |
Norway | |
| Cook et al. (1998) |
| Bergstøl et al. (1974) |
| Størseth (2016) |
Peru | |
| Gamarra-Urrunaga et al. (2013) |
Poland | |
| Piestrzyński et al. (2012) |
| Kucha H. 2007: Mineralogia kruszcowa i ... |
Kozub-Budzyń et al. (2018) | |
Russia | |
| Sejkora et al. (2023) |
| Damdinov et al. (2018) |
| Maslennikov et al. (2013) |
| Savva et al. (2011) |
| Savva et al. (2019) |
Volkov et al. (2018) | |
| Savva et al. (2011) |
| A. A. Kalinin et al. (2016) |
| Redin et al. (2020) |
| Novoselov et al. (2020) |
Saudi Arabia | |
| Bakhsh (2018) |
Bakhsh (2018) | |
Slovakia | |
| Háber M. et al. (1994) |
Sweden | |
| GFF (1984) |
| |
| Bonev et al. (2005) |
Turkey | |
| Blanks et al. (2014) |
| Beih. z. Eur. J. Mineral 18 (2006) |
USA | |
| Taylor |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| American Mineralogist: 53: 1530-1542 +1 other reference |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
Foley +4 other references | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| [Rocks & Minerals Vol 68 March/April ... |
[Rocks & Minerals Vol 68 March/April ... | |
Uzbekistan | |
| Kozlov et al. (1996) |
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Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany