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Andorite

infos

main description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Andorite is a mineral being formed in the hydrothermal veins of low temperature. Its crystals - prismatic and striated - are black and present a metallic lustre. The dimensions reached by the crystals of andorite seldom exceed several centimetres.

Like the majority of sulphides containing of the silver, this species is actively researched by collectors. The most beautiful samples come from the deposits of Baia Sprie (Romania) and from the San mine (Bolivia). From this last deposit were extracted crystals reaching 3 cm.

In France, andorite was identified in the mine of Les Farges close to Ussel (Corrèze) and in the deposit of Bournac (Aude).

The holotype and the cotype of this species were kept at the Natural history museum (Termeszettudomanyi Muzeum) of Budapest in Hungary. They were destroyed in October 1956 at the time of the large fire which devastated the museum.

Identity card

HISTORY : Species dedicated to Andor von Semsey (1833-1923), who funded the Termeszettudomanyi Muzeum

Species first described in 1892 by Joseph A. Krenner (1839-1920), Hungarian mineralogist

Type-locality: Baia Sprie (Felsöbánya), Monts Gutâi, Maramures, Romania

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Pb Ag Sb3S6
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Orthorhombic
COLOR : Gris très sombre, noir
DIAPHANIETY : Opaque
LUSTER : Métallic
STREAK : Black
MORPHOLOGIE : Prismatic crystals, striated, massive
HARDNESS : 3,0-3,5
CHEMICAL CLASS: 5,4

DENSITY : II - Sulfides, arsenides, antimonides and selenides
GROUP : Lillianite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 2/E.23-40
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 2.JA.20
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