What is "stannite"

Stannine \Stan"nine\ (-n[i^]n), Stannite \Stan"nite\ (-n[imac]t), n. (Min.) A mineral of a steel-gray or iron-black color; tin pyrites. It is a sulphide of tin, copper, and iron.

n. a dark-gray lustrous mineral, a mixed sulphide of copper, iron and tin, Cu₂FeSnS₄, used as an ore of tin

n. a dark gray mineral with a metallic luster that is a source of tin [syn: tin pyrites]

Stannite is a mineral, a sulfide of copper, iron, and tin. The chemical formula Cu Fe Sn S. Zinc commonly occurs with the iron and trace germanium may be present. Stannite is used as an ore of tin, consisting of approximately 28% tin, 13% iron, 30% copper, 30% sulfur by mass. It is found in tin-bearing, hydrothermal vein deposits occurring with chalcopyrite, sphalerite, tetrahedrite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, cassiterite, and wolframite. Also known as bell metal ore.

The name comes from the Latin for tin: stannum. It was first described in 1797 for an occurrence in Wheal Rock, St. Agnes, Cornwall, England.

The stannite ion is , or similar.

There are stannite compounds, for example, sodium stannite, NaSnO.

Stannite ion can be formed by adding strong base to stannous hydroxide.

Stannite ion is a strong reducing agent; also, it may disproportionate to tin metal plus stannate ion.