Geocronite is a rare lead sulfantimonide mineral with the chemical formula Pb14(Sb,As)6S23. It was first discovered in 1865 and named after the Greek words "geos" meaning earth and "chronos" meaning time, in reference to its use in determining the age of rocks. Geocronite typically occurs in hydrothermal veins associated with other sulfide minerals such as galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite. It has a metallic luster and a lead-gray to black color with a gray streak. It is opaque and has a hardness of 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs scale. Geocronite has some industrial uses as an ore of lead and antimony, but it is primarily of interest to mineral collectors and researchers. Its crystal structure and properties have been studied extensively to better understand the behavior of lead and antimony in hydrothermal systems.
No comments:
Post a Comment