Grey metallic crystal aggregates of the very rare Bi telluride-selenide mineral skippenite from the TL in Canada (Otish Mountains, Baie James, Nord-du-Québec, Québec). Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Skippenite
Skippenite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfide class, with the chemical formula Bi₂Se₂Te.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group R-3m). It is a member of the Tetradymite structural group.
Key properties: specific gravity 7.94; Black streak; Metallic. Anisotropism: Moderate, blue to bluish gray. R1 –R2: (400) —, (420) 41.0–43.0, (440) 44.6–46.1 luster.
IMA symbol Skp, IMA status: approved, named in 1986.
Found in a vein-type uranium deposit with other tellurides and selenides.
It is found associated with Watkinsonite, součekite, clausthalite, chalcopyrite, Au–Ag alloy.
The mineral was named to honor Professor George Skippen (1936–), Canadian geologist, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada.