sternbergite

argentopyrite

xanthoconite

pyrargyrite

Sternbergite

Images

Formula: AgFe₂S₃
Sulphide, orthorhombic paramorph of monoclinic argentopyrite
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 4.101 to 4.215 measured, 4.275 calculated
Hardness: 1 to 1½
Streak: Black
Colour: Golden brown, tarnishes violet-blue
Environments:

Hydrothermal environments

Sternbergite is a secondary silver sulphosalt that occurs in hydrothermal veins in silver-bearing ore deposits (Webmin, HOM). Associated minerals include stephanite, acanthite, proustite, pyrargyrite, argentopyrite, xanthoconite, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, dolomite, calcite and quartz (HOM).

Localities

The type locality is Jáchymov, Karlovy Vary District, Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic.
Sternbergite from Jáchymov - Image

At Johanngeorgenstadt, Erzgebirgskreis, Saxony, Germany, beautiful sternbergite specimens came from the Neu Leipziger Glück mine. Commonly it was associated with marcasite, and marcasite often formed pseudomorphs after sternbergite. The thin tabular sternbergite crystals are ductile, with a hardness between 1 and 2 (MinRec 55.5.621).

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