Tennantite
Mineral (Cu,Fe,Zn)12As4S13
Also called Fahlore, Binnite, Tennantite-(Fe), and Tennantite-(Zn)
Take care.
- Contains arsenic: Wash your hands after handling it, don't make dust, and never heat it.
About it
The arsenic partner of tetrahedrite, usually told apart only by analysis; thin splinters can show cherry-red light. Classic crystals from Cornwall and Tsumeb, Namibia.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Sulfosalt, tetrahedrite group
- Formula
- (Cu,Fe,Zn)12As4S13
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 3–4.5
- Specific gravity
- 4.6–4.8
- Streak
- reddish grey to black
- Lustre
- metallic
- Crystal system
- Isometric (cubic)
- Colours
- steel grey, iron black
- Transparency
- opaque
- Cleavage and fracture
- none; uneven to subconchoidal fracture
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.