The true nature of "horsfordite"

"Horsfordite" was first described as a new mineral species in 1888, and is listed in most mineralogy texts, despite the fact that neither recent data nor examples of the species can be found. We have examined a specimen labeled "horsfordite", from the Ferrier Collection at the Redpath Museum, McGill University, the acquisition of which dates to the time of the original description of the species. This specimen is composed of three phases which, when analyzed in aggregate, are compatible with the original composition reported for "horsfordite": copper antimonide, Cu5Sb. Examination of the specimen in polished section reveals characteristics indicative of a metallurgical product. There is no evidence that "horsfordite" exists in nature.

Duke Scholars

Author F. Hadley Cocks Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materia ...