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Rhodostannite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Rhodostannite
Formula:
Cu+(Fe2+0.5Sn4+1.5)S4
Ag may replace Cu.
Colour:
Red-purple, gray
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
4.79 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Member of:
Name:
The name reflects its colour (Greek rhodos = red) and its compositional similarity to stannite.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
This page provides mineralogical data about Rhodostannite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3408
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3408:7
IMA Classification of Rhodostannite
Approved
IMA status notes:
Redefined by the IMA
IMA Formula:
Cu1+(Fe2+0.5Sn4+1.5)S2-4
Approval year:
1968
First published:
1968
Approval history:
Redefined by IMA as Cu1+(Fe2+0.5Sn4+1.5)S4 (Bosi et al., 2019).
Classification of Rhodostannite
2.DA.10
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
D : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 3 :4 and 2:3
A : M:S = 3:4
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
D : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 3 :4 and 2:3
A : M:S = 3:4
2.10.3.1
2 : SULFIDES
10 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 3:4
2 : SULFIDES
10 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 3:4
6.1.7
6 : Sulphosalts - Sulphostannates, Sulphogermanates,Sulpharsenates, Sulphantimonates, Sulphovanadates and Sulphohalides
1 : Sulphostannates and other sulfides containing Sn
6 : Sulphosalts - Sulphostannates, Sulphogermanates,Sulpharsenates, Sulphantimonates, Sulphovanadates and Sulphohalides
1 : Sulphostannates and other sulfides containing Sn
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMAâCNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMAâCNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Rhs | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Rhs | 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 Rhodostannite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Red-purple, gray
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=243 - 266 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Density:
4.79 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Rhodostannite
Anisotropism:
Distinct, bluish gray to dark brown
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 29.1% | 30.4% |
| 440nm | 28.3% | 29.4% |
| 480nm | 28.2% | 29.4% |
| 520nm | 28.5% | 30.2% |
| 560nm | 28.9% | 30.6% |
| 600nm | 28.9% | 30.8% |
| 640nm | 28.8% | 30.7% |
| 680nm | 28.7% | 30.5% |
| 700nm | 28.6% | 30.3% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 30.8%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
reddish
San José Mine, Oruro, Cercado Province, Oruro, Bolivia