Berzelianite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Berzelianite
Formula:
Cu2-xSe (x ≈ 0.12)
Previously given as Cu2Se.
Colour:
Silver-White, shiny lead-grey; easily tarnishes iridescent blue-grey
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
6.71
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1850 by James Dwight Dana in honor of Jöns Jakob Berzelius, Swedish chemist [August 20, 1779 Linköping, Sweden - August 7, 1848 Stockholm, Sweden]. Berzelius is the father of analytical chemistry, inventor of chemical symbol notation, and discoverer of selenium (Se), cerium (Ce), silicon (Si), thorium (Th), titanium (Ti), and zirconium (Zr), in addition to other elements that he gave to his students to work on.
The mineral berzeliite is also named after Berzelius.
The mineral berzeliite is also named after Berzelius.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
Berzelianite-Umangite Group.
A recent study showed the existence of a complete solid-solution series between high digenite [cubic, high-temperature digenite] and berzelianite (Pirard & Hatert, 2008).
Compare 'UM1983-17-Se:CuPb'.
A recent study showed the existence of a complete solid-solution series between high digenite [cubic, high-temperature digenite] and berzelianite (Pirard & Hatert, 2008).
Compare 'UM1983-17-Se:CuPb'.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
645
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:645:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
dfe790be-cfc3-4f5c-a1d2-02d78440d0f1
IMA Classification of Berzelianite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Berzelianite
2.BA.20
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
2.4.10.1
2 : SULFIDES
4 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 2:1
2 : SULFIDES
4 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 2:1
3.1.9
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
1 : Sulphides etc. of Cu
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
1 : Sulphides etc. of Cu
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 |
---|---|---|
Brz | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Brz | 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 Berzelianite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Silver-White, shiny lead-grey; easily tarnishes iridescent blue-grey
Streak:
Shining
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=21 - 24 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Malleable
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Comment:
Somewhat malleable
Density:
6.71 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.28 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Berzelianite
Type:
Isotropic
Anisotropism:
Isotropic, sometimes slightly anisotropic
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R |
---|---|
400nm | 25.8% |
420nm | 28.9% |
440nm | 30.0% |
460nm | 30.7% |
480nm | 31.1% |
500nm | 31.0% |
520nm | 30.2% |
540nm | 28.7% |
560nm | 27.0% |
580nm | 25.5% |
600nm | 24.1% |
620nm | 22.9% |
640nm | 21.8% |
660nm | 20.7% |
680nm | 19.7% |
700nm | 18.7% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 31.1%.
Chemistry of Berzelianite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2-xSe (x ≈ 0.12)
Previously given as Cu2Se.
Previously given as Cu2Se.
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ag,Tl
Crystallography of Berzelianite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Fm3m
Setting:
Fm3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.731 Å
Unit Cell V:
188.23 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Thin dendritic crusts, fine grained, disseminated.
Crystal Structure
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0010573 | Berzelianite | Borchert W (1945) Gitterumwandlungen im system Cu2-x Se Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 106 5-24 | 1945 | 0 | 293 | ||
0010574 | Berzelianite | Borchert W (1945) Gitterumwandlungen im System Cu2-x Se Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 106 5-24 | 1945 | 0 | 293 | ||
0010575 | Berzelianite | Borchert W (1945) Gitterumwandlungen im System Cu2-x Se Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 106 5-24 | 1945 | 0 | 293 | ||
0010576 | Berzelianite | Borchert W (1945) Gitterumwandlungen im System Cu2-x Se Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 106 5-24 | 1945 | 0 | 293 | ||
0012163 | Berzelianite | Heyding R D, Murray R M (1976) Crystal structures of Cu1.8Se, Cu3Se2, alpha- and gamma CuSe, CuSe2, and CuSe2II Canadian Journal of Chemistry 54 841-848 | 1976 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0019147 | Berzelianite | Yamamoto K, Kashida S (1991) X-ray study of the average structures of Cu2Se and Cu1.8S in the room temperature and the high temperature phases Journal of Solid State Chemistry 93 202-211 | 1991 | synthetic | 0 | 300 | |
0019148 | Berzelianite | Yamamoto K, Kashida S (1991) X-ray study of the average structures of Cu2Se and Cu1.8S in the room temperature and the high temperature phases Journal of Solid State Chemistry 93 202-211 | 1991 | synthetic | 0 | 433 | |
0019149 | Berzelianite | Yamamoto K, Kashida S (1991) X-ray study of the average structures of Cu2Se and Cu1.8S in the room temperature and the high temperature phases Journal of Solid State Chemistry 93 202-211 | 1991 | synthetic | 0 | 433 | |
0017465 | Berzelianite | Rahlfs P (1936) Ueber die kubischen Hochtemperaturmodifikationen der Sulfide und Telluride des Silbers und des einwertigen Kupfers _cod_database_code 1010581 Zeitschrift fur Physikalische Chemie B31 157-194 | 1936 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.33 Å | (90) |
2.03 Å | (100) |
1.729 Å | (80) |
1.434 Å | (30) |
1.317 Å | (20) |
1.171 Å | (40) |
1.105 Å | (20) |
Comments:
Skrikerum, Sweden.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Near-surface Processes | |
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) | |
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
51 : Pyrometamorphic minerals (see also #54 and #56) | <0.36 |
Geological Setting:
Hydrothermal veins.
Type Occurrence of Berzelianite
Synonyms of Berzelianite
Other Language Names for Berzelianite
Relationship of Berzelianite to other Species
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
74 photos of Berzelianite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
58 photos of Berzelianite associated with Clausthalite | PbSe |
33 photos of Berzelianite associated with Umangite | Cu3Se2 |
31 photos of Berzelianite associated with Eucairite | AgCuSe |
12 photos of Berzelianite associated with Hakite-(Hg) | Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4Se12Se |
10 photos of Berzelianite associated with Tiemannite | HgSe |
8 photos of Berzelianite associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
6 photos of Berzelianite associated with Pitchblende | UO2 |
5 photos of Berzelianite associated with Eskebornite | CuFeSe2 |
5 photos of Berzelianite associated with Sabatierite | TlCu6Se4 |
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.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 | Mckinstryite | Ag5-xCu3+xS4 |
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
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 Berzelianite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-645.html
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References for Berzelianite
Reference List:
Earley, J. W. (1950) Description and synthesis of the selenide minerals. American Mineralogist, 35 (5-6) 337-364
Ramdohr, Paul (1969) The Ore Minerals and their Intergrowths. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1174pp. doi:10.1016/c2013-0-10027-x
Dunn, Pete J., Chao, George Y., Fleischer, Michael, Ferraiolo, James A., Langley, Richard H., Pabst, Adolf, Zilczer, Janet A. (1985) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 70 (1-2) 214-221 p.219
Localities for Berzelianite
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 | |
| M.K. de Brodtkorb (ed.) |
Minerales de la Republica Argentina | |
| Paar et al. (2004) |
Marquez-Zavalia et al. (2021) | |
| Economic Geology (1997) |
Grundmann et al. (2018) | |
de Brodtkorb et al. (2010) +1 other reference | |
Grundmann et al. (2018) | |
DE BRODTKORB | |
Milka K. de Brodtkorb (2002) +2 other references | |
Economic Geology (1997) | |
Recursos Minerales de la Republica ... +3 other references | |
| Ahlfeld Friedrich and Angelelll ... |
Australia | |
| Leverett et al. (2003) |
Leverett et al. (2005) | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Bottrill (2000) |
Bottrill et al. (2008) | |
| Nickel (2002) |
Birch (1987) | |
| Econ Geol (1997) |
Austria | |
| Postl et al. (1997) |
Bolivia | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
Brazil | |
| Canadian Mineralogist Vol. 40 |
Canada | |
| G.S.C. Bulletin 330. +1 other reference |
| www.ir.gov.sk.ca (n.d.) |
J. Traill (1952) | |
| ROBINSON et al. (1952) |
Tremblay (1978) +1 other reference | |
Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
Mineralogical Society of America - ... +1 other reference | |
China | |
| Minzhi Yang (2000) +2 other references |
| Feng Caixia et al. (2004) |
| Jingxian Li and Jiajun Liu (2014) |
| Zhi Li et al. (1973) |
Czech Republic | |
| Josef Vajdak (2008) +1 other reference |
| Sejkora et al. (2012) |
| Sejkora et al. (2022) |
| Scharmová et al. (1995) |
| Duda +2 other references |
| Šouba |
| Kvaček +1 other reference |
Kvaček +1 other reference | |
| Kříbek et al. (2009) |
Vavřín +1 other reference | |
Kvaček (1979) +1 other reference | |
Petr Pauliš | |
Kvaček +1 other reference | |
Vavřín (1994) | |
Kvaček | |
DR Congo | |
| Econ Geol (1997) |
| Canadian Mineralogist 46 (2008) +1 other reference |
France | |
| (Puy-de-Dôme) +2 other references |
Germany | |
| |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Seeliger et al. (1965) +1 other reference |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
Weiß (1990) | |
| Econ Geol (1997) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Schaarschmidt (2007) +1 other reference |
| Tischendorf (1969) +1 other reference |
| Can Min 40 et al. (2002) +3 other references |
| Forster et al. (2004) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
American Mineralogist (1983) | |
| Forster et al. (2003) |
Indonesia | |
| Econ Geol (1997) |
Mexico | |
| Hoffmann (1968) +1 other reference |
Moore et al. (2003) | |
Thomas P. Moore (2008) | |
Middle East | |
Vapnik et al. (2014) | |
Namibia | |
| Desor (10/2020) |
Poland | |
| Econ Geol (1997) |
Russia | |
| www.igem.ru (2001) +1 other reference |
| Bazai et al. (2009) |
Sweden (TL) | |
| Moore (1988) +2 other references |
| Scherbina (1941) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
UK | |
Tindle (2008) | |
| Spinks et al. (2014) |
USA | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
Tharalson +5 other references | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Lasmanis (1995) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
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Bukov Mine, Rožná deposit, Rožná, Žďár nad Sázavou District, Vysočina Region, Czech Republic