- Merenskyite
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Merenskyite General Category Telluride mineral Chemical formula (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
- ^ a b c Webmineral data
- ^ a b Handbook of Mineralogy
- ^ a b Mindat.org
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