Omariniite

omariniite

putzite

catamarcaite

zincobriartite

Images

Formula: Cu₈Fe₂ZnGe₂S₁₂
Valence: Cu¹⁺₈Fe³⁺₂Zn²⁺Ge⁴⁺₂S^2-₁₂
Sulphosalt, stannite group, germanium-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 4.319 calculated
Hardness: 3½
Streak: Brownish black
Colour: Orange-brown
Environments

Hydrothermal environments

Omariniite was approved in 2016 but to date (May 2026) it has been reported only from the type locality.

Localities

At the type locality, the Capillitas mining district, Andalgalá Department, Catamarca Province, Argentina, omariniite was found in bornite - chalcocite rich ores In low-temperature, polymetallic, hydrothermal vein mineralisation associated with a diatreme (a volcanic pipe associated with a gaseous explosion). Omariniite is associated closely with three other germanium-bearing minerals (putzite, catamarcaite, rarely zincobriartite) and bornite, chalcocite, digenite, covellite, sphalerite, tennantite, luzonite, wittichenite, thalcusite and traces of mawsonite. The width of the seams rarely exceeds 60 µm, their length can attain several hundred µm. The mineral is opaque, orange-brown in polished section, has a metallic lustre and a brownish black streak (MM 81.1151-1159, HOM).
Omariniite from the Capillitas mining district - Image

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