Merenskyite
| Merenskyite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Telluride mineral |
|
Formula (repeating unit) |
(Pd,Pt)(Te,Bi)2 |
| 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 calculated |
| Pleochroism | Weak, white to grayish white in air under reflected light |
| References | |
Merenskyite is a rare telluride / bismuthinide mineral with formula: (Pd,Pt)(Te,Bi)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.
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).
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