The mineral "sulvanite" is spelled with the combination of letters "S", "U", "L", "V", "A", "N", "I", "T", and "E". In IPA phonetic transcription, it is transcribed as /sʌlvənaɪt/. The first syllable is pronounced with the vowel sound "ʌ", followed by the consonants "L" and "V". The second syllable contains the vowel sound "ə" and the consonant "N". The final syllable is pronounced with the vowel sound "aɪ" and the consonant "t". This mineral is found in copper-rich ore deposits and is commonly used in industrial applications.
Sulvanite is a naturally occurring mineral which is categorized as a sulfide mineral. It is primarily composed of copper, iron, and sulfur, with the chemical formula Cu_3VS_4. The name of this mineral is derived from its chemical composition, with "sulva-" referring to the sulfide component and "-nite" indicating its classification as a mineral.
Sulvanite commonly forms in hydrothermal veins and deposits associated with copper-rich environments. It occurs alongside other copper minerals such as chalcopyrite and bornite. The mineral typically exhibits a metallic luster and appears as black to dark gray crystals or granular masses.
In terms of physical properties, sulvanite possesses a Mohs hardness rating of 3.5 to 4, making it relatively soft. It has a specific gravity ranging from 4.3 to 4.5, indicating its higher density compared to most common minerals. Sulvanite is also known to exhibit poor cleavage, meaning it tends to fracture irregularly rather than producing smooth, planar surfaces.
As a copper-bearing mineral, sulvanite holds economic significance as an ore mineral. Its high copper content makes it of interest for extraction and processing to obtain copper metal. However, it is not a widely exploited ore mineral due to its limited occurrence and lower copper concentration compared to other copper sulfides.
The word sulvanite does not have a designated etymology as it is a mineral name. Mineral names are often derived from a variety of sources, such as the name of a person, a geographical location, or physical properties. However, without additional context or information, it is difficult to determine the specific origin of the term sulvanite.