Merenskyite
| Merenskyite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Telluride mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | (Pd,Pt)(Te,Bi)2 |
| Strunz classification | 02.EA.20 |
| Crystal symmetry | Trigonal 3m - ditrigonal pyramidal |
| 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 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Mohs scale hardness | ~3.5 |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque |
| Specific gravity | 8.547 calculated |
| Pleochroism | Weak, white to grayish white in air under reflected light |
| References | [1][2][3] |
Merenskyite is a rare telluride / bismuthinide mineral with formula: (Pd,Pt)(Te,Bi)2.[1][2] 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.[1]
It 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).[3]
References
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