Berzelianite
Berzelianite included in calcite from the Skrikerum mine in Sweden.
General
CategorySelenide minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)		Cu2Se
IMA symbolBrz[1]
Strunz classification2.BA.20
Dana classification2.4.10.1
Crystal systemIsometric
Identification
ColorSilvery white, tarnishes easily
Crystal habitDendritic crusts, fine-grained inclusions
CleavageNone
FractureUneven
TenacitySlightly malleable
Mohs scale hardness2.7
LusterMetallic
StreakShining
DiaphaneityOpaque
Density6.71 (measured) 7.28 (calculated)
Ultraviolet fluorescenceNone
Common impuritiesAg
References

Berzelianite is a rare copper selenide mineral with the formula Cu2Se.[2][3][4] It occurs as thin dendritic crusts or as fine-grained inclusions. It crystallizes in the isometric system,[5][6][7] unlike its dimorph, bellidoite, which crystallizes in the tetragonal system.[8] The crystals are opaque and slightly malleable.

Occurrence and name

Berzelianite was first identified at the Skrikerum Mine (also spelled as Skrickerum Mine) in Valdemarsvik, Östergötland, Sweden in 1850.[6]

It was named by James Dwight Dana to honor Jöns Jakob Berzelius, a Swedish chemist who is seen as the father of analytical chemistry. He invented chemical symbol notation and discovered the elements cerium, selenium, silicon, and thorium.[6]

Berzelianite often occurs together with eucairite, clausthalite, tiemannite, umangite, klockmannite, aguilarite, crookesite, athabascaite, stromeyerite, polybasite, pearceite, gold, uraninite, pyrite, marcasite, calcite.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ↑ I.Y. Nekrasov (1 January 1996). Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Genesis of Gold Deposits. CRC Press. p. 238. ISBN 978-90-5410-723-1.
  3. ↑ Stephen B. Castor; Gregory C. Ferdock (2004). Minerals of Nevada. University of Nevada Press. p. 163. ISBN 978-0-87417-540-0.
  4. ↑ Bernhard Pracejus (25 June 2015). The Ore Minerals Under the Microscope: An Optical Guide. Elsevier Science. p. 202. ISBN 978-0-444-62737-7.
  5. ↑ "Handbook of mineralogy Berzelianite" (PDF).
  6. 1 2 3 "Berzelianite: Berzelianite mineral information and data". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
  7. ↑ Barthelmy, Dave. "Berzelianite Mineral Data". www.webmineral.com. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
  8. ↑ "Bellidoite: Bellidoite mineral information and data". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
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