Cylindrite - Encyclopedia
Class : Sulfides and sulfosalts
Subclass : Sulphides
Crystal system : Triclinic
Chemistry : Pb3Sn4FeSb2S14
Rarity : Rare
Cylindrite is a complex sulfide of lead and tin. It is a mineral that is found almost exclusively in lead and tin hydrothermal veins. Its name comes from the Greek kulindros (roller) and reflects the cylindrical shape of its crystalline aggregates. Indeed, cylindrite is a mineral with a curious appearance, occurring in cylindrical aggregates and in columnar or tubular masses reaching up to 5 cm in length and 3 cm in diameter, sometimes grouped into spheres. It is black in color and has a strong metallic luster. It was an occasional tin ore in some Bolivian mines.
Main photo : Cylindrite from Itos Mine, Oruro, Bolivia © Gianfranco Ciccolini
Cylindrite in the World
Twinning
No known twin for this mineral species.
Fakes and treatments
No fakes listed for this mineral species.
Hardness : 2.5
Density : 5.43 to 5.49
Fracture : Underterminated
Streak : Black
TP : Opaque
RI : -
Birefringence : -
Optical character : -
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None
Solubility : Nitric acid and hydrochloric acid
Magnetism : None
Radioactivity : None