Rathite

rathite

baumhauerite

sartorite

hutchinsonite

Images

Formula: Ag₂Pb_12-xTl_x/2As_18+x/2S₄₀
Valence: Ag¹⁺₂Pb²⁺_12-xTl¹⁺_x/2As³⁺_18+x/2S^2-₄₀
Sulpharsenite of silver, lead and thallium, sartorite group
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 5.33 to 5.41 measured, 5.31 calculated
Hardness: 3
Streak: Chocolate brown
Colour: Silver to lead-grey, tarnishes iridescent
Environments

Metamorphic environments
Hydrothermal environments

Rathite occurs in crystalline dolostone with other lead-arsenic-sulphur minerals. Associated minerals include liveingite, baumhauerite, sartorite, hutchinsonite, dufrénoysite, tennantite and pyrite. (HOM).

Localities

The type locality is the Lengenbach Quarry, Fäld, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland.
Rathite from the Lengenbach Quarry - Image

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