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Betekhtinite

MNHN N°194.13

visu_374 infos

FROM : Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan
SIZE : 23.5 x 20 x 6 cm

general description

In various areas, one observes very rich sheaves of acicular crystals measuring more than 2 cm, located on a matrix of small quartz crystals. By its dimensions (24.5 x 23 x 5 cm) and its richness in crystals, it is one of the best samples known.

This sample of betekhtinite was found at the Dzhezkazgan mine, in Kazakhstan. It was discovered in 1975 and then kept in the collection of one of the mining engineers. It was acquired byt he Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in 1994 thanks to support from Total.

It is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum.

Photography: A. Dahmane / Photo Saint-Hilaire,
© MNHN.

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The Species page

Identity card

SPECIE : Betekhtinite

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
MORPHOLOGY : Crystals massive, acicular
HARDNESS : 3,0-3,5
DENSITY : 6,14

CHEMICAL CLASS : II - Sulfides, arsenides,
GROUP : Betekhtinite - furotobeite series
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 2/B.02-10
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 2.BE.05

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