Getchellite
A variety of Minerals
What is Getchellite?
Getchellite is a rare sulfide of arsenic and antimony, AsSbS3, that was discovered by B. G. Weissberg of the New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in 1963, and approved as a new species by the International Mineralogical Association in 1965. Many metal sulfides are grey to black, but a few are brightly colored. Orpiment is yellow to brownish gold, cinnabar is deep red and getchellite is a bright orange red.
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Key Characteristics
Composition of Getchellite
Each of the semimetal atoms, arsenic and antimony, is bonded to three sulfur atoms to form a trigonal pyramid characteristic of elements in group V of the periodic table. These (As,Sb)S3 pyramids form 8-membered (As,Sb)8S8 rings which in turn combine to form sheets parallel to (001), with each sulfur atom bonded to two semimetal atoms. The occupancy of the metal sites is disordered, and within the sheets the 8-membered rings are orientated normal to the plane of the sheet. The sheet structure is responsible for the cleavage and twin planes of getchellite Unit cell a = 11.949 Å; b = 9.028 Å; c = 10.130 Å; β= 116.15°; V = 980.9 Å; Z = 8. Space group P21/a.
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Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Dark blood red
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 1.5 - 2
- Density
- 3.98 g/cm³
- Streak
- Orange-red
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- AsSbS3
- Elements
- As, S, Sb
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