Bromargyrite: The silver mineral bromargyrite information and pictur

About

Bromargyrite is an ore of silver, and is very similar to Chlorargyrite, with which it forms a solid solution series. Bromargyrite contains the halogen bromine combined with silver, whereas Chlorargyrite contains chlorine with silver. Bromargyrite and Chlorargyrite can be visually indistinguishable from one another, and will often form in the same deposits. The intermediary mineral of this series, known as Embolite, is usually classified as a bromine-rich variety of Chlorargyrite. Bromargyrite and Chlorargyrite are also chemically similar to the rare mineral Iodargyrite, which has iodine in place of the bromine/chlorine.

Bromargyrite is named after its chemical composition: "brom" for bromine, and "argyros" for the Greek word used for silver.

Crystal Forms & Aggregates

Individual crystals are very uncommon, and will be in cubic or partially modified cubic or dodecahedral form. Crystals are usually grouped together in crystal aggregates. Most often encrusting, grainy, drusy, massive, and in thick, coral-like growths.

Striking Features

Color and luster, mode of occurrence, high specific gravity, and sectility

Environment

As a secondary mineral in oxidation zones, forming in epithermal veins and hydrothermal replacement deposits of silver deposits.

Varieties

✓ generally accepted · ✗ less commonly used

Embolite— Bromium-rich variety of Chlorargyrite; an intermediary mineral of the Chlorargyrite-Bromargyrite series.

Uses

Bromargyrite is an ore of silver.

Noteworthy Localities

The most prolific locality for Bromargyrite is the famous silver mine at Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. Other important localities include Chañarcillo, Copiapó Province, Atacama Region, Chile; Plateros, Zacatecas, Mexico; the Blue Bell Mine, Baker, San Bernardino Co., California; and the Commercial Cramer Mine, Georgetown, Grant Co., New Mexico.