Article
Article
Cerargyrite
Article By:
Hurlbut, Cornelius S., Jr. Department of Geological Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Last reviewed:2012
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.121100
A mineral with composition AgCl (see illustration). Its structure is that of the isometric NaCl type, but well-formed cubic crystals are rare. The hardness is 2.5 on Mohs scale and specific gravity 5.5. Cerargyrite is colorless to pearl-gray but darkens to violet-brown on exposure to light. It is perfectly sectile and can be cut with a knife like horn; hence the name horn silver. Bromyrite, AgBr, is physically indistinguishable from cerargyrite and the two minerals form a complete series. Both minerals are secondary ores of silver and occur in the oxidized zone of silver deposits. See also: Halite; Silver
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