Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Pyromorphite vs. Graphite
Linked by archaic translations and mineralogical misunderstandings, the quarterfinals are ending in hexagons with vivid pyromorphite vs writeable graphite.
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Omariniite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About OmariniiteHide

00069210017272472892037.jpg
Ricardo H. Omarini
Formula:
Cu8Fe2ZnGe2S12
Colour:
Orange-brown
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
4.319 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Dr. Ricardo Héctor Omarini (17 March 1946, Córdoba, Argentina - 28 June 2015), Professor at the University of Salta, for his numerous contributions to the geology of Argentina.
The Ge analogue of stannoidite. Chemically somewhat similar to zincobriartite, renierite, and briartite. X-ray single-crystal studies (R1 = 0.023) revealed the structure to be a sphalerite derivative identical to that of stannoidite (Bindi et al. 2017).


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
50348
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:50348:8

Similar NamesHide

IMA Classification of OmariniiteHide

Classification of OmariniiteHide

2.CB.10c

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
B : With Zn, Fe, Cu, Ag, etc.

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
OmaIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of OmariniiteHide

Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Orange-brown
Comment:
in polished sections
Streak:
Brownish-black
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100= 202 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Not observed in the polished sections
Parting:
Not observed in the polished sections
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
4.319 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of OmariniiteHide

Anisotropism:
Distinctly, with rotation tints varying between brownish-orange and greenish-brown.
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)R2 (%)
400nm22.0%21.9%
420nm20.9%21.5%
440nm20.2%21.0%
460nm19.7%21.0%
480nm19.5%21.0%
500nm19.4%21.1%
520nm19.75%21.4%
540nm20.4%21.8%
560nm21.2%22.2%
580nm22.1%22.8%
600nm23.2%23.5%
620nm24.2%24.2%
640nm25.3%25.0%
660nm26.2%25.7%
680nm27.2%26.6%
700nm28.2%27.4%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 28.2%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
orange-brown
Internal Reflections:
Absent
Pleochroism:
Weak

Chemistry of OmariniiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Cu8Fe2ZnGe2S12
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Cu41.824 %
S31.656 %
Ge11.952 %
Fe9.189 %
Zn5.379 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of OmariniiteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
222 - Disphenoidal
Space Group:
I222
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.774(1) Å, b = 5.3921(5) Å, c = 16.085(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.998 : 1 : 2.983
Unit Cell V:
934.5 ų
Z:
2

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])

Type Occurrence of OmariniiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Seams in ore rarely exceeds 60 μm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Collections of the Systematic Reference Series of the National Mineral Collection of Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (catalogue number NMCC 68096)
Empirical Formula of Type Material:
Cu8.04(Fe2.03In0.02)Σ2.05Zn0.96Ge1.94S12.01
Chemical Analysis of Type Material:
Cu42.18) %
Fe9.37 %
Zn5.17 %
In0.20 %
Ge11.62 %
S31.80 %
Total:100.34 %
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In bornite-chalcocite-rich ores of the Capillitas epithermal deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of OmariniiteHide

Other Language Names for OmariniiteHide

German:Omariniit

Relationship of Omariniite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Other Members of Stannite Group:
BriartiteCu2FeGeS4Tet.
ČernýiteCu2CdSnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
FamatiniteCu3SbS4Tet. 42m : I42m
FerrokësteriteCu2FeSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
HocartiteAg2(Fe2+,Zn)SnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
KësteriteCu2ZnSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
KeutschiteCu2AgAsS4Tet. 42m : I42m
KuramiteCu3SnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
LuzoniteCu3AsS4Tet. 42m : I42m
PermingeatiteCu3SbSe4Tet. 42m : I42m
Petrukite(Cu,Fe,Zn,Ag)3(Sn,In)S4Orth. mm2 : Pmn21
PirquitasiteAg2ZnSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
RichardsiteZn2CuGaS4Tet. 42m : I42m
StanniteCu2FeSnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
StannoiditeCu+6Cu2+2(Fe2+,Zn)3Sn2S12Orth. 222 : I222
'UM1984-30-S:CuFeSn'Cu2Fe2Sn3S7
'Unnamed (Cu-Zn-In Sulphide)'CuZn2InS4
VelikiteCu2HgSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
ZincobriartiteCu2(Zn,Fe)(Ge,Ga)S4Tet. 42m : I42m

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Omariniite associated with ThalcusiteTl2Cu3FeS4
1 photo of Omariniite associated with Putzite(Cu4.7Ag3.3)GeS6

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.CB.RichardsiteZn2CuGaS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.OkruginiteCu2SnSe3Mon. m : Bb
2.CB.HanswilkeiteKFeS2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
2.CB.AuroselenideAuSeMon. 2/m : B2/m
2.CB.Ruizhongite(Ag2◻)Pb3Ge2S8Iso. 43m : I43d
2.CB.AgmantiniteAg2MnSnS4Orth.
2.CB.TolstykhiteAu3S4Te6Tric. 1 : P1
2.CB.GachingiteAu(Te1-xSex)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.05aHawleyiteCdSIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05'UM1998-15-S:CuFeZn'Cu2Fe3Zn5S10
2.CB.05aColoradoiteHgTeIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aMetacinnabarHgSIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aTiemanniteHgSeIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aSphaleriteZnSIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05bSakuraiite(Cu,Zn,Fe)3(In,Sn)S4 Iso.
2.CB.05cPolhemusite(Zn,Hg)STet.
2.CB.05aRudashevskyite(Fe,Zn)SIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aStilleiteZnSeIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aIshiharaite(Cu,Ga,Fe,In,Zn)SIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.07a'Unnamed (Cu-Mn-Sn Sulphide)'Cu2MnSnS4
2.CB.07aShenzhuangiteNiFeS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10bTalnakhiteCu9(Fe,Ni)8S16Iso. 43m : I43m
2.CB.10bHaycockiteCu4Fe5S8Orth. 222
2.CB.10aLenaiteAgFeS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10aGalliteCuGaS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10aRoquesiteCuInS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10aEskeborniteCuFeSe2Tet. 42m : P42c
2.CB.10a'UM1984-30-S:CuFeSn'Cu2Fe2Sn3S7
2.CB.10aChalcopyriteCuFeS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10a'Unnamed (Cu-Zn-In Sulphide)'CuZn2InS4
2.CB.10bMooihoekiteCu9Fe9S16Tet. 42m : P42m
2.CB.10aLaforêtiteAgInS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10bPutoraniteCu1.1Fe1.2S2Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pn3m
2.CB.15aVelikiteCu2HgSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15c'UM2006-11-S:CuFeGeZn'Cu8(Fe,Zn)3Ge2S12 (?)
2.CB.15aHocartiteAg2(Fe2+,Zn)SnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.15aKësteriteCu2ZnSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15aPirquitasiteAg2ZnSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15aStanniteCu2FeSnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.15cStannoiditeCu+6Cu2+2(Fe2+,Zn)3Sn2S12Orth. 222 : I222
2.CB.15bMohiteCu2SnS3Mon.
2.CB.15aČernýiteCu2CdSnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.15aIdaiteCu5FeS6Hex.
2.CB.15aFerrokësteriteCu2FeSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15aKuramiteCu3SnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.17a v'Arsenic-bearing Renierite'Cu11GeAsFe4S16
2.CB.20MawsoniteCu6Fe2SnS8Tet. 42m : P4m2
2.CB.20ChatkaliteCu6FeSn2S8Tet. 42m : P4m2
2.CB.30'Frieseite'Ag2Fe5S8 (?)
2.CB.30NekrasoviteCu26V2(Sn,As,Sb)6S32Iso. 43m : P43n
2.CB.30'Argyropyrite'near Ag2Fe7S11
2.CB.30MaikainiteCu20(Fe,Cu)6Mo2Ge6S32Iso. m3m(4/m32/m)
2.CB.30ColusiteCu13VAs3S16Iso. 43m : P43n
2.CB.30GermaniteCu13Fe2Ge2S16Iso. 43m : P43n
2.CB.30GermanocolusiteCu26V2(Ge,As)6S32Iso. 43m : P43m
2.CB.30StibiocolusiteCu13V(Sb,Sn,As)3S16Iso. 43m : P43m
2.CB.30Ovamboite Cu20(Fe,Cu,Zn)6W2Ge6S32Iso. 43m : P43n
2.CB.35aMorozeviczite(Pb,Fe)3Ge1-xS4Iso.
2.CB.35aRenierite(Cu+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16Tet. 42m : P42c
2.CB.35aHemusiteCu6SnMoS8Iso.
2.CB.35bCatamarcaiteCu6GeWS8Hex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.35aVincienniteCu+7Cu2+3Fe2+2Fe3+2Sn(As,Sb)S16Tet.
2.CB.35aKiddcreekiteCu6SnWS8Iso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.35aPolkovicite(Fe,Pb)3(Ge,Fe)1-xS4Iso.
2.CB.40LautiteCuAsSOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
2.CB.42LingbaoiteAgTe3Trig. 3m : R3m
2.CB.45CadmoseliteCdSeHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45RambergiteMnSHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45Buseckite(Fe,Zn,Mn)SHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45MaletoyvayamiteAu3Se4Te6Tric. 1 : P1
2.CB.45GreenockiteCdSHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45Wurtzite(Zn,Fe)SHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.47MurchisiteCr5S6Trig. 3m(32/m) : P31c
2.CB.50'Zincselenide'ZnSe
2.CB.50WassoniteTiSTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
2.CB.52'Dzhezkazganite'ReMoCu2PbS6 ?Trig. 3m : R3m
2.CB.55bIsocubaniteCuFe2S3Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
2.CB.55aCubaniteCuFe2S3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.60RaguiniteTlFeS2Orth.
2.CB.60PicotpauliteTlFe2S3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
2.CB.65ArgentopyriteAgFe2S3Mon. 2/m
2.CB.65SternbergiteAgFe2S3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.70SulvaniteCu3VS4Iso. 43m : P43m
2.CB.75VulcaniteCuTeOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.80EmpressiteAgTeOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.85MuthmanniteAuAgTe2Mon. 2/m : P2/m

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Internet Links for OmariniiteHide

References for OmariniiteHide

Localities for OmariniiteHide

Showing 2 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

Locality ListHide

- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. - Good crystals or important locality for species. - World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina (TL)
 
  • Catamarca Province
    • Andalgalá Department
      • Andalgalá
Hålenius et al. (2016) +1 other reference
Paar et al. (2004) +1 other reference
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 28, 2026 11:35:36 Page updated: August 19, 2026 08:49:00
Go to top of page