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Berndlehmannite
A valid IMA mineral species
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Formula:
Cu(CrV)S4
Type material has V slightly dominant over Cr.
Colour:
black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
4.17 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
Berndlehmannite is named to honor Bernd Lehmann (1950- ), Professor emeritus of Economic Geology at Technische Universität Clausthal, Germany.
This page provides mineralogical data about Berndlehmannite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
471225
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:471225:7
IMA Classification of Berndlehmannite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+(Cr3+V3+)S2-4
Type description reference:
Fu, Xuerui; Li, Guowu; Xu, Lingang; Xue, Yuan; Sun, Ningyue; Hao, Jinhua; Jian, Wei; Yan, Hao; Ye, Huishou; Ding, Jianhua; et al. (2025) Berndlehmannite: A new V-bearing sulfide mineral from the black shale-hosted Zhongcun vanadium deposit, South China. American Mineralogist, 110 (9). 1446-1453 doi:10.2138/am-2024-9541
Classification of Berndlehmannite
2.DA.05
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
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Blm | 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 Berndlehmannite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Black
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN10=101.8 - 113.6 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{111}
{111}
Density:
4.17 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Berndlehmannite
Anisotropism:
none observed
Bireflectance:
none observed
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) |
|---|---|
| 470nm | 35.8% |
| 546nm | 36.5% |
| 589nm | 36.5% |
| 650nm | 35.9% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 36.5%.
Colour in reflected light:
cream-colored
Internal Reflections:
none
Chemistry of Berndlehmannite
Mindat Formula:
Cu(CrV)S4
Type material has V slightly dominant over Cr.
Type material has V slightly dominant over Cr.
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Berndlehmannite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m(4/m32/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Fd3m
Setting:
Fd3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.8585(22) Å
Unit Cell V:
958.15 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.489 Å | (48) |
| 2.973 Å | (100) |
| 2.463 Å | (45) |
| 2.010 Å | (11) |
| 1.894 Å | (40) |
| 1.739 Å | (68) |
| 1.821 Å | (10) |
| 1.004 Å | (16) |
Reference:
Fu, Xuerui; Li, Guowu; Xu, Lingang; Xue, Yuan; Sun, Ningyue; Hao, Jinhua; Jian, Wei; Yan, Hao; Ye, Huishou; Ding, Jianhua; et al. (2025) Berndlehmannite: A new V-bearing sulfide mineral from the black shale-hosted Zhongcun vanadium deposit, South China. American Mineralogist, 110 (9). 1446-1453 doi:10.2138/am-2024-9541
Type Occurrence of Berndlehmannite
General Appearance of Type Material:
comprises subhedral grains that vary in size from 20 to 120 μm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Geological Museum of China, No. 16 Yangrou Hutong, Xisi, Beijing 100031, People's Republic of China, catalogue number GMCTM2024001 (holotype), and the Department of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Xueyuanlu Street 29, Beijing 100083, People's Republic of China, catalogue number CUGB-ZC-001 (cotype)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
black shale
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Fu, Xuerui; Li, Guowu; Xu, Lingang; Xue, Yuan; Sun, Ningyue; Hao, Jinhua; Jian, Wei; Yan, Hao; Ye, Huishou; Ding, Jianhua; et al. (2025) Berndlehmannite: A new V-bearing sulfide mineral from the black shale-hosted Zhongcun vanadium deposit, South China. American Mineralogist, 110 (9). 1446-1453 doi:10.2138/am-2024-9541
Other Language Names for Berndlehmannite
Dutch:Berndlehmanniet
German:Berndlehmannit
Relationship of Berndlehmannite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Carrollite Subgroup:
| Carrollite | CuCo2S4 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m |
| Cuproiridsite | (Cu,Fe)Ir2S4 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m |
| Cuprokalininite | Cu(Cr3+Cr4+)S4 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m |
| Ezochiite | Cu+(Rh3+Pt4+)S4 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m |
| Fletcherite | CuNi2S4 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m |
| Florensovite | (Cu,Zn)Cr1.5Sb0.5S4 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) |
| Malanite | Cu+(Ir3+Pt4+)S4 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) |
| Rhodostannite | Cu+(Fe2+0.5Sn4+1.5)S4 | Tet. 4/m : I41/a |
| Shiranuiite | Cu+(Rh3+Rh4+)S4 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m |
| Toyohaite | Ag+(Fe2+0.5Sn4+1.5)S4 | Tet. 4/m : I41/a |
| 'Unnamed (Fe3+-analogue of Fletcherite)' | Cu(Fe3+,Ni,Co)2S4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.DA. | Ferrodimolybdenite | FeMo2S4 |
| 2.DA. | Zaykovite | Rh3Se4 |
| 2.DA. | Ezochiite | Cu+(Rh3+Pt4+)S4 |
| 2.DA. | Grimmite | NiCo2S4 |
| 2.DA. | Zolenskyite | FeCr2S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Shiranuiite | Cu+(Rh3+Rh4+)S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Fletcherite | CuNi2S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Florensovite | (Cu,Zn)Cr1.5Sb0.5S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Siegenite | CoNi2S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Cadmoindite | CdIn2S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Kalininite | ZnCr2S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Violarite | Fe2+Ni3+2S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Nickeltyrrellite | CuNi2Se4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Linnaeite | Co2+Co3+2S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Carrollite | CuCo2S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Cuproiridsite | (Cu,Fe)Ir2S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Cuprorhodsite | (Cu+0.5Fe3+0.5)Rh3+2S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Polydymite | Ni2+Ni3+2S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Trüstedtite | Ni3Se4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Daubréelite | Fe2+Cr3+2S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Cuprokalininite | Cu(Cr3+Cr4+)S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Greigite | Fe2+Fe3+2S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Joegoldsteinite | MnCr2S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Bornhardtite | Co2+Co3+2Se4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Tyrrellite | Cu(Co,Ni)2Se4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Indite | FeIn2S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Xingzhongite | Pb2+Ir3+2S4 |
| 2.DA.05 | Malanite | Cu+(Ir3+Pt4+)S4 |
| 2.DA.10 | Rhodostannite | Cu+(Fe2+0.5Sn4+1.5)S4 |
| 2.DA.10 | Toyohaite | Ag+(Fe2+0.5Sn4+1.5)S4 |
| 2.DA.15 | Brezinaite | Cr3S4 |
| 2.DA.15 | Heideite | (Fe,Cr)1.15(Ti,Fe)2S4 |
| 2.DA.20 | Konderite | Cu3Pb(Rh,Pt,Ir)8S16 |
| 2.DA.20 | Inaglyite | Cu3Pb(Ir,Pt)8S16 |
| 2.DA.25 | Kingstonite | Rh3S4 |
Other Information
Magnetism:
Non-Magnetic
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 Berndlehmannite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-471225.html
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References for Berndlehmannite
Reference List:
Fu, Xuerui; Li, Guowu; Xu, Lingang; Xue, Yuan; Sun, Ningyue; Hao, Jinhua; Jian, Wei; Yan, Hao; Ye, Huishou; Ding, Jianhua; et al. (2025) Berndlehmannite: A new V-bearing sulfide mineral from the black shale-hosted Zhongcun vanadium deposit, South China. American Mineralogist, 110 (9). 1446-1453 doi:10.2138/am-2024-9541