76-80 Sulphosalt

The minerals that make up the sulphosalt class are those in which a metal is combined with sulphur. There are nearly 100 sulphosalts, but many are rare.

They differ from sulphides in that they also contain a semi-metal such as antimony, arsenic, or bismuth. They have some of the most complicated atomic and crystal structures known in inorganic chemistry.

76. Enargite

• Dana number: 3.2.1.1
• Chemical formula: Cu₃AsS₄
• Crystal class: Orthorhombic
• Mohs hardness: 3
• Specific gravity: 4.43-4.45
• Collected in: Quirivulca Mine , Peru

77. Proustite

• Dana number: 3.4.1.1
• Chemical formula: Ag₃AsS₃
• Crystal class: Hexagonal
• Mohs hardness: 2-2.5
• Specific gravity: 5.57-5.64
• Collected in: Uchucchacua Mine, Peru

78. Pyrargyrite

• Dana number: 3.4.1.2
• Chemical formula: Ag₃SbS₃
• Crystal class: Hexagonal
• Mohs hardness: 2.5
• Specific gravity: 5.77-5.86
• Collected in: Broken Hill, NSW, Australia

79. Bournonite

• Dana number: 3.4.3.2
• Chemical formula: PbCuSbS₃
• Crystal class: Orthorhombic
• Mohs hardness: 2.5-3
• Specific gravity: 5.7-5.9
• Collected in: Huaron, Peru

80. Jamesonite

• Dana number: 3.6.7.1
• Chemical formula: Pb₄FeSb₆S₁₄
• Crystal class: Monoclinic
• Mohs hardness: 2 to 3
• Specific gravity: 5.5-6.0
• Collected in: Rivertree, NSW, Australia