Talnakhite

talnakhite

djerfisherite

mackinawite

mooihoekite

Images

Formula: Cu₉Fe₈S₁₆
Sulphide, talnakhite group
Crystal System: Isometric
Specific gravity: 4.29 measured, 4.32 calculated
Hardness: 4½
Streak: Black
Colour: Brass-yellow, tarnishes to pink, purple or brown tints, then iridescent
Environments

Hydrothermal environments

Talnakhite occurs in hydrothermal environments and as a component of undersea black smokers (HOM).
Common associates include chalcopyrite, cubanite, djerfisherite, mackinawite, magnetite, mooihoekite, pentlandite and valleriite (Mindat).

Localities

There are two co-type Localities, the Talnakh Cu-Ni Deposit, and the Severniy mine, both at Noril'sk, Putoran Plateau, Taimyr Peninsula, Taymyrskiy Autonomous Okrug, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia. Talnakhite is found here in concentrations of up to 70% in zones to 12 metres thick, in hydrothermal talnakhite-galena rich ores. Associated minerals include chalcopyrite, cubanite, djerfisherite, pentlandite, valleriite or mackinawite, magnetite, a silver-gold alloy and a palladium-lead alloy (AM 55.2135, HOM).

At the Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA, talnakhite has been found in the layered ultramafic complex (HOM).

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