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Cervelleite, Ag4TeS: solution and description of the crystal structure

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Abstract

Examination of the type specimen of cervelleite throws new light on its structure demonstrating how earlier researchers erred in describing the mineral as cubic. It was found to be monoclinic, space group P21/n, with a = 4.2696(4), b = 6.9761(5), c = 8.0423(7) Å, β = 100.332(6)°, V = 235.66(3) Å3, Z = 4. The crystal structure [R1 = 0.0329 for 956 reflections with I > 2σ(I)] is topologically identical to that of acanthite, Ag2S, and aguilarite, Ag4SeS. It can be described as a body-centered array of tetrahedrally coordinated X atoms (where X = S and Te) with Ag2X4 polyhedra in planes nearly parallel to (010); the sheets are linked by the other silver position (i.e., Ag1) that exhibits a three-fold coordination. Crystal-chemical features are discussed in relation to other copper and silver sulfides/tellurides, and pure metals. A SEM study of the cervelleite crystal used for the structural investigation showed that it is intergrown with an unnamed Ag2FeS2 phase in the type material.

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Acknowledgments

Mike Rumsey is thanked for providing us with the holotype sample of cervelleite. The paper benefited by the official reviews made by Panagiotis Voudouris and an anonymous reviewer. Associate Editor Anton Beran is thanked for his efficient handling of the manuscript. This work was supported by “Progetto d’Ateneo 2012, University of Firenze” to LB.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121, Firenze, Italy

    L. Bindi

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK

    C. J. Stanley

  3. Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, 253 Science I, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011-3212, USA

    P. G. Spry

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  1. L. Bindi
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  2. C. J. Stanley
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  3. P. G. Spry
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Correspondence to L. Bindi.

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Editorial handling: A. Beran

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Bindi, L., Stanley, C.J. & Spry, P.G. Cervelleite, Ag4TeS: solution and description of the crystal structure. Miner Petrol 109, 413–419 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-015-0384-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-015-0384-4

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