Metallic crystals of one of the most sought after mineral species from the Lengenbach quarry, nowackiite. Nowackiite is an extremely rare mineral and only a few specimens exist, this is one of them, completely analyzed by MEB-EDX. Ex.V.Bourgoin specimen. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nowackiite
Nowackiite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfosalt class, with the chemical formula Cu₆Zn₃As₄S₁₂.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group R3). It is a member of the Nowackiite structural group.
Key properties: specific gravity 4.3; Metallic. R1 –R2: n.d luster.
IMA symbol Now, IMA status: approved, named in 1965.
Found in a hydrothermal deposit in dolostone, noted for a variety of Pb–As–S minerals.
It is found associated with Sphalerite, dolomite.
The mineral was named to honor Professor Werner Nowacki (1909–1989), Swiss mineralogist, University of Berne, Switzerland.