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Formula: AgBi3S5
Sulphosalt, pavonite homologous series group
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 6.8 measured, 6.80 calculated
Hardness: 2
Streak: Lead-grey
Colour: Steel-grey to tin-white
Common impurities: Ag may be replaced by minor Cu and Bi by minor Pb
Environments
Pavonite typically forms fine lamellar intergrowths with cupropavonite
in hydrothermal base-metal sulphide vein deposits. Other associates include
bismuthinite, chalcopyrite,
aikinite and hodrušite
(HOM, Mindat).
Localities
At the type locality, the Bolivar Mine, Cerro Bonete, Sud Lípez Province, Potosí, Bolivia, pavonite occurred
abundantly on the studied specimen, both massive and as tiny bladed crystals. In colour, lustre and hardness it closely
resembles bismuthinite with which it is intimately associated.
Chalcopyrite and aikinite were
also identified
(AM 39.409-415).
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