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Download hereGENERAL DESCRIPTION
Betekhtinite is a copper, lead and iron sulphide that is very rare. It is generally presented in irregular masses.
When well crystallized, it forms needles which can reach up to 3,5 cms in length. The crystals are of black colour.
Betekhtinite can be found in veins within cupriferous schists. It is associated with other sulphides like bornite, chalcopyrite, galena or with calcite. This mineral is known only in a limited number of localities.
The most remarkable samples of this mineral come from the mines of Kipushi in the Shaba province in RD Congo (formely Zaire) and at Dzhezkazgan (Kazakhstan). This last deposit come the most beautiful crystallized specimens. No major deposit is yet known in France.
The type of this species (overdraft in 1955) is kept at the Museum für Naturkunde of the University Humboldt, Berlin, Germany. It is originating in the mines of Fortschritt and Vitzthum with Volkstedt (cupriferous basin of Mansfeld in Saxony, Germany).
HISTORY : Species dedicated to Anatolii Georgievich Betekhtin (1897-1962), Russian mineralogist
Species described in 1955 by Schuller and Wohlmann
Type-locality: Volkstedt, Mansfeld, Saxony, Germany
CHEMICAL FORMULA : (Cu,Fe)21 Pb2 S15
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Orthorhombic
COLOR : Lead-gray, brownish black
DIAPHANIETY : Opaque
LUSTER : Metallic
STREAK : Black
MORPHOLOGIE : Crystals massive, acicular
HARDNESS : 3,0-3,5
CHEMICAL CLASS: 6,14
DENSITY : II - Sulfides, arsenides, antimonides and selenides
GROUP : Betekhtinite - furotobeite series
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 2/B.02-10
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 2.BE.05
