germaniumit

Germaniumit is a rare mineral composed primarily of germanium and sulfur, with the chemical formula (GeS)2. It is a member of the chalcogenide mineral group. Germaniumit is known for its unusual composition, as germanium is a relatively rare element in the Earth's crust. It typically occurs as small, tabular crystals or granular aggregates. The color of germaniumit ranges from grayish-black to steel-gray, and it has a metallic luster. Its hardness is relatively low, typically around 2.5 on the Mohs scale, and it has a specific gravity of approximately 4.9.

This mineral is found in association with other germanium-bearing minerals, often in hydrothermal veins and sedimentary rocks. Notable occurrences have been reported in the United States, Russia, and China. Germaniumit is considered a primary source of germanium, and its discovery and study have been important for understanding the geochemistry of germanium. Due to its rarity and the specialized nature of its occurrence, germaniumit has limited economic significance, but it remains of interest to mineralogists and geochemists. The mineral was first described in 1950.