aikinite

Aikinite is a rare lead copper bismuth sulfosalt mineral with the chemical formula Pb2CuBiS4. It is characterized by its dark gray to black color and metallic luster. Aikinite typically occurs in hydrothermal veins and skarns, often associated with other sulfide minerals. Its crystal structure is monoclinic, and it forms acicular or prismatic crystals, as well as massive aggregates.

The mineral was first discovered in 1817 in the Kolyvan region of the Altai Mountains in Siberia, Russia, and was named after the Russian mineralogist Nikolai Ivanovich Aikhenval'd. Subsequent discoveries have been made in various locations worldwide, including Austria, Canada, China, and the United States.

Aikinite is considered a minor ore of copper, bismuth, and lead, though its rarity makes it economically insignificant as a primary source of these metals. It is of greater interest to mineral collectors and geologists due to its unique chemical composition and occurrence. The presence of aikinite can sometimes indicate specific geological conditions and processes, making it a useful indicator mineral in exploration geology. Its physical properties, such as hardness and specific gravity, are typical of many sulfosalt minerals.