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Hessite crystals
1,5 mm
© Gilles Haineault
AgTe
Hessite is extremely rare at MSH.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color varies from steel-gray to lead-gray.
Luster is metallic.
Diaphaneity is opaque.
Crystal System is monoclinic;
Crystal Habits include pseudo-cubic crystals.
Cleavage {010} is indistinct.
Fracture is even.
Hardness is 2 – 3.
Specific Gravity is approximately 8.25 g/cm
Streak is light gray.
Associated Minerals include galena, sphalerite, thalcusite and UK #53.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit and color.
Origin: Named in 1843 after Germain Henri Hess (1802-1850), Swiss
chemist who first examined the mineral.
CLASSIFICATION:
Dana System
# 2.4.2.1
Strunz Classification
# II/B.05-40
REFERENCES:
Dana 8:43 (1997)
DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:
MSH
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