Livingstonite

Livingstonite is a rare mineral described as a copper-bismuth sulfide. It is known from a small number of localities worldwide and is composed mainly of copper, bismuth, and sulfur, with trace elements that can vary between specimens. The name honors the Livingston association connected with its discovery. The mineral forms in hydrothermal ore deposits where sulfide-bearing fluids interact with copper- and bismuth-rich rocks, and it is typically found in association with other sulfide minerals.

Physically, Livingstonite exhibits a metallic to submetallic luster and an opaque appearance, with a color range from steel-gray to black. Crystals are uncommon; when present they are typically prismatic or tabular. Because of its rarity, detailed crystallographic data and exact chemical formulas are limited and have varied in different reports. In mineral catalogs, Livingstonite is generally treated as a copper-bismuth sulfide and is of interest mainly to collectors and researchers studying sulfide mineralogy.

Etymology and classification notes are often summarized as part of broader mineral catalogs, since the mineral’s precise classification has been refined as new data emerge. For those seeking more detailed and locality-specific information, Mindat.org and WebMineral provide entries that include occurrences, photos, and bibliographic references.

See also: List of minerals named after people.