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Berthierite (Photo)

Year of discovery: 1827 (Chazelles-Haut, France), 1945 (Japan)

Locality list: 47 localities of berthierite

• FeSb₂S₄
• [Fe²⁺][Sb³⁺₂][S₄]^8-

• Class: Berthierite subgroup < Boulangerite group < Rod-type Pb sulfosalts < Sulfosalt class
• Class: Sulfosalt
• Magnetism: Paramagnetic (After melting)
• Distinguish from stibnite: Melted balls of berthierite has magnetism, whereas stibnite not.
• Distinguish from stibnite: Weathered surface of berthierite shows rainbow colored by stain, whereas stibnite not.

• Fe => Mn: Clerite

• Sb₂ => SbBi: Garavellite

• Color: Dark gray
• Tarnish: Iridescent
• Streak: Grayish brown
• Luster: Metallic
• Diaphaneity: Opaque

• Habit: Prismatic, Acicular elongated to [001]
• Aggregate: Radial, Mossy
• Striation: [001]

• Cleavage: Unclear on {010} (1 plane)
• Hardness: 2-3
• Density: 4.6

• System: Orthorhombic
• Group: mmm, Pnam
• Lattice: a=11.4, b=14.1, c=9.8

Etymology: Pierre Berthier (1782-1861), French chemist