Tetrahedrite
Mineral (Cu,Fe,Zn)12Sb4S13
Also called Fahlore, Grey copper ore, Tetrahedrite-(Fe), and Tetrahedrite-(Zn)
Take care.
- Toxic: Wash your hands after handling it, don't lick or taste it, and don't make dust.
About it
Steel grey to black tetrahedral crystals, an ore of copper and often silver. Since 2020 the IMA splits it into tetrahedrite-(Fe), tetrahedrite-(Zn), and others. Fine crystals from Peru and Cavnic, Romania.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Sulfosalt, tetrahedrite group
- Formula
- (Cu,Fe,Zn)12Sb4S13
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 3.5–4
- Specific gravity
- 4.6–5.2
- Streak
- black to dark brown
- 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.