Abstract
Hemusite, a new mineral with the formula Cu6SnMoS8, was found in the copper ore deposit of Chelopech, Bulgaria, in association with enargite, luzonite, colusite, stannoidite, remerite, tennantite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and other minerals. It occurs as rounded isometric grains and aggregates usually about 0.05 mm in diameter.
Hemusite has a gray color, metallic luster, and moderate hardness (about 4, Mohs). In reflected light it is violet-gray to ash-gray, isotropic, with low reflectivity (469 nm 23.4, 518 nm 24.9, 589 nm 24.2, 668 nm 23.4%).
Microprobe analyses indicate small amounts of Fe, V, As, and Se in the mineral.
The X-ray pattern is indexed on a cubic lattice, a = 10.82 Å. The strongest lines are 3.11(10)(2.22), 1.919(5)(044), 1.858(3)(035), 1.632(3)(226). Single crystal studies could not be made.
The name is from the ancient name of the Balkan Mts., in the Southern slope of which the Chelopech ore deposit occurs.