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Formula: (Cu,Ag)8GeS6
Sulphide, argyrodite group,
germanium-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Isometric
Specific gravity: 5.788 calculated
Hardness: 3 to 3½
Streak: Black
Colour: Iron-black with a weak violet tint
Environments
Volcanic igneous environments
Hydrothermal environments
Putzite was approved in 2002, but to date it has been reported only from the type locality.
Localities
At the type locality, the Capillitas mining district, Andalgalá Department, Catamarca Province, Argentina,
putzite was discovered in old dumps near the Rosario vein. The volcanic complex is host to large
porphyry copper -
gold deposits and genetically related epithermal vein-type deposits. The
mineral assemblage that contains putzite is composed of bornite,
chalcocite, sphalerite,
tennantite,
wittichenite,
thalcusite,
catamarcaite, an undefined
copper - iron -
zinc - germanium sulphide
possibly representing the germanium-dominant analogue of
stannoidite,
chalcopyrite, galena,
luzonite and quartz.
Putzite occurs as aggregates of anhedral grains, up to 3 x 1 mm, embedded in a matrix predominantly of
chalcocite with relics of
bornite
(CM 42.6.1757-1769).
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