Merenskyite | |
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General | |
Category | Telluride mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) | (Pd,Pt)(Te,Bi)2 |
IMA symbol | Mrk[1] |
Strunz classification | 2.EA.20 |
Crystal system | Trigonal |
Crystal class | Hexagonal scalenohedral (3m) H-M symbol: (3m) |
Space group | P3m1 |
Unit cell | a = 3.978(1) Å, c = 5.125(2) Å; Z = 1 |
Identification | |
Color | White, grayish white |
Crystal habit | Microscopic inclusions, intergrowths with other Pd–Pt minerals |
Mohs scale hardness | 3.5 |
Diaphaneity | Opaque |
Specific gravity | 8.547 |
Pleochroism | Weak, white to grayish white in air under reflected light |
References | [2][3][4][5] |
Merenskyite is a rare telluride / bismuthinide mineral with the chemical formula (Pd,Pt)(Te,Bi)2.[3][4] It is an opaque white to light gray metallic mineral that occurs as inclusions within other minerals such as chalcopyrite. It crystallizes in the trigonal crystal system.[3]
Merenskyite was first described in 1966 for an occurrence in the Merensky Reef of the Western Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa, and named for South African geologist Hans Merensky (1871–1952).[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
- ^ Mineralienatlas
- ^ a b c Webmineral data
- ^ a b Handbook of Mineralogy
- ^ a b Mindat.org