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Tetrahedrite-(Ni)

A valid IMA mineral species
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Formula:
Cu6(Cu4Ni2)Sb4S12S
Colour:
Black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
5.073 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
Named according to the nomenclature for tetrahedrite group minerals, with the suffix/modifier indicating predominant nickel.
The Ni analogue of tetrahedrite-(Fe), tetrahedrite-(Hg), and tetrahedrite-(Zn). Chemically similar to lapieite.


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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
55544
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:55544:5

IMA Classification of Tetrahedrite-(Ni)Hide

IMA status:
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu6(Cu4Ni2)Sb4S13
Approval history:
IMA2021-031.

Classification of Tetrahedrite-(Ni)Hide

Strunz-mindat (2025):
2.GB.

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
B : Neso-sulfarsenites, etc. with additional S

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
Ttr-NiIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of Tetrahedrite-(Ni)Hide

Lustre:
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Black
Streak:
Reddish black
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Estimated
Comment:
Could not be measured due to the small grain size. Thought to be close to the hardness of tetrahedrite-(Fe).
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Comment:
In the type description, fracture is given as uneven in the abstract and conchoidal in the body.
Density:
5.073 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of Tetrahedrite-(Ni)Hide

Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)
400nm28.2%
420nm29.0%
440nm29.5%
460nm29.8%
470nm29.9%
480nm29.9%
500nm29.9%
520nm29.6%
540nm29.3%
546nm29.2%
560nm28.9%
580nm28.4%
589nm28.2%
600nm27.9%
620nm27.4%
640nm26.9%
650nm26.7%
660nm26.5%
680nm26.1%
700nm25.9%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 29.9%.
Colour in reflected light:
Steel grey.
Internal Reflections:
None.

Chemistry of Tetrahedrite-(Ni)Hide

Mindat Formula:
Cu6(Cu4Ni2)Sb4S12S
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Cu38.356 %
Sb29.398 %
S25.161 %
Ni7.085 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Cu, Ni, S, Sb - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of Tetrahedrite-(Ni)Hide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:
I4 3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.3478(4) Å
Unit Cell V:
1,108.01 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.987 Å(100)
3.659 Å(10)
2.766 Å(9)
2.587 Å(21)
2.439 Å(8)
2.029 Å(6)
1.829 Å(41)
1.560 Å(21)
Locality:
Luobusha ophiolite ("Luobusa ophiolite"), Qusum Co. (Qusong Co.), Shannan Prefecture (Lhokha Prefecture; Lhoka Prefecture), Tibet, China
Comments:
Calculated. The data are from the type description.

Type Occurrence of Tetrahedrite-(Ni)Hide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Luobusha ophiolite ("Luobusa ophiolite"), Qusum Co. (Qusong Co.), Shannan Prefecture (Lhokha Prefecture; Lhoka Prefecture), Tibet, China
General Appearance of Type Material:
Occurs as small composite inclusions in gersdorfite, consisting of tetrahedrite-(Ni) with either chalcostibite or vaesite. Anhedral grains 2 to 20 μm in size.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical collections of the Geological Museum of China, No. 16 Yangrou Hutong, Xisi, Beijing 100031, People’s Republic of China, catalogue number M16119
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Ophiolite-hosted chromite deposit. Found in silica-rich listvenites. May be the product of late-serpentinization at moderately high-temperature conditions around 350°C.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
ChalcostibiteClinochloreDolomiteGersdorffiteMagnesite
Mica GroupQuartzVaesite

Other Language Names for Tetrahedrite-(Ni)Hide

Relationship of Tetrahedrite-(Ni) to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Tetrahedrite Subgroup > Tetrahedrite Group
Other Members of Tetrahedrite Subgroup:
Tetrahedrite-(Cd)Cu6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tetrahedrite-(Cu)Cu6(Cu4Cu2+2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tetrahedrite-(Fe)Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tetrahedrite-(Hg)Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tetrahedrite-(Mn)Cu6(Cu4Mn2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
Tetrahedrite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : F4 3m

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.GB.Polybasite-Tac[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.Kenoargentotetrahedrite-(Zn)[Ag6]4+(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12◻Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Argentotetrahedrite-(Hg)Ag6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Annivite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Bi4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Pošepnýite(Cu+3◻3)(Hg2+4Cu+2)Sb4Se12(Se0.5◻0.5)Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.ArgentopearceiteAg16As2S11Trig. 3 2 : P3 2 1
2.GB.Tennantite-(Cu)Cu6(Cu4Cu2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Argentopolybasite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9AgS4]Trig. 3 2 : P3 2 1
2.GB.Tennantite-(Mn)Cu6(Cu4Mn2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Argentotetrahedrite-(Cd)Ag6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Stibioústalečite(Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(Sb2Te2)Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Stibiogoldfieldite(Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(Sb2Te2)S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Argentotetrahedrite-(Zn)Ag6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tetrahedrite-(Cd)Cu6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Arsenogoldfieldite(Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(As2Te2)S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Arsenoústalečite(Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(As2Te2)Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tennantite-(In)Cu6(Cu4(In3+Cu+))As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Zvěstovite-(Fe)Ag6(Ag4Fe2+2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Hakite-(Fe)Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tennantite-(Cd)Cu6(Cu4Cd2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.XKenorozhdestvenskayaite-(Fe)[Ag6]4+(Ag4Fe2+2)Sb4S12◻Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tetrahedrite-(Cu)Cu6(Cu4Cu2+2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Hakite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Zvěstovite-(Zn)Ag6(Ag4Zn2)As4S12SIso.
2.GB.Hakite-(Cd)Cu6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Kenoargentotennantite-(Fe)[Ag6]4+(Cu4Fe2)As4S12◻Iso.
2.GB.Tennantite-(Hg)Cu6(Cu4Hg2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tetrahedrite-(Mn)Cu6(Cu4Mn2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.Tennantite-(Ni)Cu6(Cu4Ni2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Hakite-(Hg)Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Rozhdestvenskayaite-(Zn)Ag6(Ag4Zn2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Argentotennantite-(Zn)Ag6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Argentotennantite-(Fe)Ag6(Cu4Fe2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Freibergite Subgroup(Ag6,[Ag6]4+)(Cu4 C2+2)Sb4S12S0-1Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Tennantite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Tennantite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : F4 3m
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Tennantite-(Fe)Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)As4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite-(Fe)Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite-(Hg)Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Kenoargentotetrahedrite-(Fe)[Ag6]4+(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4S12◻Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Giraudite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4Se12SeIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Argentotetrahedrite-(Fe)Ag6(Cu4Fe2)Sb4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05Goldfieldite(Cu4◻2)(Cu4Cu+2)Te4S12SIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.05UM1992-21-S:AgFeSbAg6(Ag4Fe2+2)Sb4S12SIso.
2.GB.10SelenostephaniteAg5SbSe4Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
2.GB.10StephaniteAg5SbS4Orth. mm2 : Cmc21
2.GB.15UM2003-14-S:AgBiFeTeAg16FeBiTe3S8
2.GB.15UM1979-17-S:BiCuFe~Cu18Fe4BiS16
2.GB.15Pearceite[Ag6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15Cupropolybasite[Cu6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m : P3 1m
2.GB.15Fengruiite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS2Te2]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15Auropearceite [Ag9AuS4][Ag6As2S7]Trig. 3 2 : P3 2 1
2.GB.15Selenopolybasite[(Ag,Cu)6(Sb,As)2(S,Se)7][Ag9Cu(S,Se)2Se2]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.15Polybasite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.GB.15Auropolybasite [Ag9AuS4][Ag6Sb2S7]Trig. 3 2 : P3 2 1
2.GB.15Cupropearceite[Cu6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.GB.20Vorontsovite(Hg5Cu)Σ6TlAs4S12Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.20Ferrovorontsovite(Fe5Cu)Σ6TlAs4S12Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.GB.20Galkhaite(Hg5Cu)CsAs4S12Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m

Other InformationHide

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 Tetrahedrite-(Ni)Hide

References for Tetrahedrite-(Ni)Hide

Localities for Tetrahedrite-(Ni)Hide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. - Good crystals or important locality for species. - World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
China (TL)
 
  • Tibet
    • Shannan Prefecture (Lhokha Prefecture; Lhoka Prefecture)
      • Qusum Co. (Qusong Co.)
Miyawaki et al. (2021) +1 other reference
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