Betekhtinite Locality: Dzhezkazgan Mine (Zhezkazgan Mine), Dzhezkazgan , Zhezqazghan Oblysy (Dzezkazgan Oblast'; Dzhezkazgan Oblast'; Djezkazgan Oblast'; Jezkazgan Oblast'), Kazakhstan ( Locality at mindat.org ) Size: 3.6 x 1.7 x 1.6 cm. Betekhtinite is a rare copper, iron, lead sulfide and this is a superb example from a now-famous discovery of 1998, which produced the best of the species known for this mineral to date. Lustrous, metallic-gray, parallel-growth needles to 2.8 cm comprise this fine piece from the Twin Pocket, Mine # 31at Dzhezkazgan. — Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0
Betekhtinite
Betekhtinite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfide class, with the chemical formula (Cu,Fe)₂₁Pb₂S₁₅.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Immm).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3–3.5; specific gravity 5.96–6.05.
IMA symbol Bkh, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1955.
Found in veins cutting the black cupriferous shale (Mansfeld, Germany).
It is found associated with Bornite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite, galena, silver, celestine, anhydrite, calcite.
The name refers to Anatolii Georgievich Betekhtin (1897–1962), Russian mineralogist and economic geologist.