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Dantopaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Dantopaite
Formula:
Ag5Bi13S22
Empirical formula:
Cu1.06Ag4.24Pb0.9Bi12.23S21.89Te0.11. May contain minor Fe that is positively correlated with the Pb content (Pažout, 2025).
Cu1.06Ag4.24Pb0.9Bi12.23S21.89Te0.11. May contain minor Fe that is positively correlated with the Pb content (Pažout, 2025).
Colour:
Gray-white
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
6.74 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
The name honors Dr. Dan Topa (b. 1955, Bukarest, Romania), University of Salzburg, ore mineralogist and crystallographer.
N = 6 member of Pavonite homologous series.
A probable "(Cu,Pb)-analogue of dantopaite" was described by Kolitsch et al. (2019).
Chemically, the S analogue of Unnamed (Se-analogue of Dantopaite).
A probable "(Cu,Pb)-analogue of dantopaite" was described by Kolitsch et al. (2019).
Chemically, the S analogue of Unnamed (Se-analogue of Dantopaite).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
39325
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:39325:2
IMA Classification of Dantopaite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ag1+5Bi3+13S2-22
Approval year:
2009
First published:
2010
Classification of Dantopaite
2.JA.05
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
J : Sulfosalts of PbS archetype
A : Galena derivatives with little or no Pb
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
J : Sulfosalts of PbS archetype
A : Galena derivatives with little or no Pb
3.8.10.9
3 : SULFOSALTS
8 : 1 < ø < 2
3 : SULFOSALTS
8 : 1 < ø < 2
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Dnt | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Dnt | 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 Dantopaite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Gray-white
Streak:
Gray
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN50=190 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
6.74 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Density could not be measured.
Optical Data of Dantopaite
Anisotropism:
Distinct in air and becomes enhanced in oil. Between crossed polars, bluish grey to brownish grey rotation- tints are common.
Bireflectance:
Perceptible in air and moderate in oil.
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 41.2% | 46.8% |
| 420nm | 41.4% | 47.5% |
| 440nm | 41.8% | 48.9% |
| 460nm | 41.6% | 48.6% |
| 470nm | 41.5% | 48.3% |
| 480nm | 41.6% | 48.5% |
| 500nm | 41.4% | 48.1% |
| 520nm | 41.2% | 48.0% |
| 540nm | 41.0% | 47.3% |
| 560nm | 40.9% | 47.3% |
| 580nm | 40.5% | 47.1% |
| 589nm | 40.4% | 46.6% |
| 600nm | 40.4% | 46.8% |
| 620nm | 40.2% | 46.6% |
| 640nm | 39.3% | 45.8% |
| 650nm | 39.9% | 46.1% |
| 660nm | 39.9% | 45.8% |
| 680nm | 39.6% | 45.4% |
| 700nm | 39.6% | 45.2% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 48.9%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Grayish white
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Shades of grey
Chemistry of Dantopaite
Mindat Formula:
Ag5Bi13S22
Empirical formula:
Cu1.06Ag4.24Pb0.9Bi12.23S21.89Te0.11. May contain minor Fe that is positively correlated with the Pb content (Pažout, 2025).
Empirical formula:
Cu1.06Ag4.24Pb0.9Bi12.23S21.89Te0.11. May contain minor Fe that is positively correlated with the Pb content (Pažout, 2025).
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Chemical Analysis
Empirical formulas:
| Sample ID | Empirical Formula |
|---|---|
| 1 | (1) Cu1.36Ag4.39Pb0.12Bi12.62Sb0.06(S14.01Se7.91Te0.08); (2) Cu0.89Ag4.50Pb0.49Bi12.53Sb0.07(S11.26Se10.74) |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mohawk Mine, Goldfield, Goldfield Mining District, Esmeralda County, Nevada, USA |
Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany