Acanthite
Definition
A mineral belonging to the sulfide class, representing the low-temperature monoclinic crystalline form (stable below 173°C) of silver sulfide (Ag2S). This precious and heavy mineral is frequently found in hydrothermal veins or secondary enrichment zones of silver ore deposits, showcasing a lead-gray to black color with a dull metallic luster. It is dimorphous with argentite, the cubic mineral that pseudomorphically converts into acanthite upon natural cooling.
Bilingual Equivalents
- Acanthite
- Silver sulfide mineral
Grammatical & Source Details
| Inflection Type | Masculine noun, plural: acantiți. Regular masculine phonetic and morphological declension. |
| Formation | Coined in 1855 from the Greek root 'acantha' (thorn/spine), referring to the typical slender, needle-like or spear-like crystal shapes. |
| Spelling / Pronunciation | [ˈækənθaɪt] / Romanian: [a.kanˈtit] |
| Source | Dana's New Mineralogy / Mindat Database |
Contextual Usage Examples
RO: Minerii au extras un eșantion remarcabil de acantit din galeriile adânci ale vechii mine de argint.
EN: The miners extracted a remarkable sample of acanthite from the deep galleries of the old silver mine.
RO: Analiza prin difracție cu raze X a confirmat că structura cristalină a probei aparține sistemului monoclinic al acantitului.
EN: X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the crystal structure of the sample belongs to the monoclinic system of acanthite.
RO: Datorită conținutului ridicat de metal prețios, acantitul reprezintă un minereu de argint de o importanță economică majoră.
EN: Due to its high precious metal content, acanthite represents a silver ore of major economic importance.
Idioms & Phrases
Pseudomorfoză de acantit după argentit / Acanthite pseudomorph after argentite
RO: Fenomen geologic în care acantitul păstrează forma exterioară cubică a argentitului de temperatură înaltă, deși structura sa internă a devenit monoclinică.
EN: A geological phenomenon where acanthite retains the outer cubic shape of high-temperature argentite, though its internal structure has become monoclinic.
Zăcământ hidrotermal de acantit / Hydrothermal acanthite deposit
RO: Filoane geologice subterane formate prin precipitarea mineralelor din soluții apoase fierbinți bogate în sulf și argint.
EN: Underground geological veins formed by the precipitation of minerals from hot aqueous solutions rich in sulfur and silver.
Luciu metalic mat al acantitului / Dull metallic luster of acanthite
RO: Proprietatea optică a suprafeței mineralului de a reflecta lumina într-un mod estompat, specific sulfurilor metalice masive expuse la aer.
EN: The optical property of the mineral's surface to reflect light in a subdued manner, specific to massive metallic sulfides exposed to air.
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