Dzierzanowskite, CaCu2S2 - a new natural thiocuprate from Jabel Harmun, Judean Desert, Palestine Autonomy, Israel

Dzierzanowskite, CaCu(2)S2 (P (3) over bar m1, a = 3.9400(4), c = 6.523(1) angstrom, V = 87.69(2) angstrom(3), Z = 1), a thiocuprate, was found in larnite pseudoconglomerate rocks of the Hatrurim Complex at Jabel Harmun, Palestinian Autonomy, Israel. Dzierzanowskite occurs in larnite pebbles, which are embedded in a low-temperature mineral matrix. Associated minerals are larnite, brownmillerite, fluorellestadite, ye'elimite, gehlenite, periclase, ternesite, nabimusaite, vorlanite, vapnikite, fluormayenite, fluorkyuygenite, oldhamite, jasmundite, covellite, chalcocite and pyrrhotite. Electron microprobe analyses yield an average composition of Cu 55.25, Fe 0.13, S 27.46 and Ca 16.99, total 99.83 wt.%. The empirical formula of dzierzanowskite, based on 5 atoms, is Ca0.98Cu2.02Fe0.01S1.99. Dzierzanowskite forms grains up to 15 mu m in size or rims on oldhamite and laminar intergrowths with chalcocite and covellite. Dzierzanowskite is dark orange, has a cream streak and a submetallic lustre. In reflected light it is grey, with a cream tint and characteristic yellow-orange internal reflections. The calculated density of dzierzanowskite is 4.391 g cm(3). Three bands at 300, 103 and 86 cm(1) are observed in the Raman spectrum. The strongest lines of the calculated powder diffraction pattern are [d, angstrom (I) hkl]: 2.358(100) 102, 1.970(93)110, 3.023(78) 011, 6.523(36) 001, 3.412(28) 100, 1.834(28) 103. Dzierzanowskite was also found in unusual jasmundite rocks, forming small paleofumaroles within areas of low-temperature hydrothermal rocks bearing larnite pseudoconglomerates at Jabel Harmun. Dzierzanowskite is a superimposed phase of the high-temperature alteration of pyrometamorphic rocks subjected to by-products (melts/fluids and gases) of pyrometamorphism originating in the deeper levels of combustion.