Mineralogy Database

Athabascaite Mineral Data

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General Athabascaite Information

Help on Chemical  Formula: Chemical Formula: Cu5Se4
Help on Composition: Composition: Molecular Weight = 633.57 gm
   Copper    50.15 %  Cu
   Selenium  49.85 %  Se
            ______ 
            100.00 % 
Help on Empirical Formula: Empirical Formula: Cu5Se4
Help on Environment: Environment: As inclusions and replacements of unamgite.
Help on IMA Status: IMA Status: Approved IMA 1969
Help on Locality: Locality: Martin Lake mine, Uranium City, Lake Athabasca, SK, Canada. Link to MinDat.org Location Data.
Help on Name Origin: Name Origin: Named for the locality.
Help on Name Pronunciation: Name Pronunciation: Athabascaite + Pronunciation Say ATHABASCAITE
Help on Synonym: Synonym: IMA1969-022
 

Athabascaite Image

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  Athabascaite   Umangite   Berzelianite

Comments: Reflected light photomicrograph of umangite (pinkish), berzelianite (gray), athabascaite (small white areas in berzelianite), calcite (olive).
Location: Sierra de Umango, La Rioja, Argentin. Scale: Not Given.
© Jeff Weissman / Photographic Guide to Mineral Species

Athabascaite Crystallography

Help on Axial Ratios: Axial Ratios: a:b:c =0.6866:1:0.5375
Help on Cell Dimensions: Cell Dimensions: a = 8.227, b = 11.982, c = 6.441, Z = 4; V = 634.93 Den(Calc)= 6.63
Help on Crystal System: Crystal System: Orthorhombic Space Group: Unk
Help on X Ray Diffraction: X Ray Diffraction: By Intensity(I/Io): 3.235(1), 1.997(0.8), 3.015(0.6),
 

Physical Properties of Athabascaite

Help on Color: Color: Blue gray, Gray white.
Help on Diaphaneity: Diaphaneity: Opaque
Help on Habit: Habit: Anhedral Grains - Granular minerals without the expression of crystal shapes
Help on Habit: Habit: Microscopic Crystals - Crystals visible only with microscopes.
Help on Hardness: Hardness: 2.5-3 - Finger Nail-Calcite
Help on Luster: Luster: Metallic
 

Optical Properties of Athabascaite

Help on RL Anisotrophism: RL Anisotrophism: Strong, creamy white to dark blue.
Help on RL Pleochroism: RL Pleochroism: Distinct, light gray to blue-gray.
Help on Reflectivity Reflectivity
Standardized Intensity (100%) Reflection Spectra of Athabascaite in Air
λ R1 R2  ∑ R1(λ)   ∑ R2(λ) 
 400 nm   21.20   25.10 
   
 420 nm   19.90   25.20 
 440 nm   19.60   25.30 
 460 nm   19.30   25.40 
 480 nm   19.00   25.50 
 500 nm   18.60   25.60 
 520 nm   18.30   25.60 
 540 nm   17.80   25.50 
 560 nm   17.40   25.40 
 580 nm   16.90   25.10 
 600 nm   16.30   25.00 
 620 nm   15.50   24.50 
 640 nm   15.00   24.20 
 660 nm   14.20   23.70 
 680 nm   13.40   23.10 
 700 nm   12.50   22.40 
Calculated Relative Intensity Colors of Athabascaite in Air
Relative
Intensity
   0%   60% 100% 120% 180% 240% 300% 360% 420% 480% 540% 560%
R1                        
R2                        
 

Calculated Properties of Athabascaite

Help on Electron Density: Electron Density: Bulk Density (Electron Density)=5.88 gm/cc
note: Specific Gravity of Athabascaite =6.63 gm/cc.
Help on Fermion Index: Fermion Index: Fermion Index = 0.03
Boson Index = 0.97
Help on Photoelectric: Photoelectric: PEAthabascaite = 63.18 barns/electron
U=PEAthabascaite x rElectron Density= 371.57 barns/cc.
Help on Radioactivity: Radioactivity: GRapi = 0 (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units)
Athabascaite is Not Radioactive
 

Athabascaite Classification

Help on  Dana Class: Dana Class: 02.16.17.01 (02)Sulfides - Including Selenides and Tellurides
  (02.16)with miscellaneous formulae
  (02.16.17)Dana Group
 
02.16.17.01 Athabascaite Cu5Se4 Unk Ortho
Help on  Strunz Class: Strunz Class: 02.BA.15d 02 - SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulf
  02.B - Metal Sulfides, M:S > 1:1 (mainly 2:1)
  02.BA -With Cu, Ag, Au
 
02.BA.15d Athabascaite Cu5Se4 Unk Ortho
 

Other Athabascaite Information

Help on References: References: NAME( Dana8) PHYS. PROP.(Enc. of Minerals,2nd ed.,1990) OPTIC PROP.(AntBidBlaNic1)
Help on See Also: See Also: Links to other databases for Athabascaite :
1 - Am. Min. Crystal Structure Database
2 - Athena
3 - EUROmin Project
4 - Ecole des Mines de Paris
5 - GeoScienceWorld
6 - Google Images
7 - Google Scholar
8 - Handbook of Mineralogy (MinSocAm)
9 - Handbook of Mineralogy (UofA)
10 - MinDAT
11 - Mineralienatlas (Deutsch)
12 - Online Mineral Museum
13 - QUT Mineral Atlas
14 - Ruff.Info

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Athabascaite

Cu5Se4
Dana No: 02.16.17.01 Strunz No: 02.BA.15d
Locality:

 

Notes:

 

 
   
 


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