Bowieite

Last updated
Bowieite
General
Category Sulfide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Rh2S3
Strunz classification 2.DB.15
Dana classification 2.11.12.1
Crystal system Orthorhombic
Identification
ColorPale-gray to Pale gray-brown
Luster Metallic
Diaphaneity Opaque
References [1]

Bowieite is a rhodium-iridium-platinum sulfide mineral (Rh,Ir,Pt)2S3, found in platinum-alloy nuggets from Goodnews Bay, Alaska. [2] [3] [1] It was named (by the IMA in 1984) after the British scientist Stanley Bowie (1917–2008), in recognition of his work on identification of opaque minerals. [4]

The mineral crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pbcn). [5]

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References

  1. 1 2 Mindat.org
  2. Handbook of Mineralogy - Bowieite
  3. Webmineral.com - Bowieite
  4. The Times The Times, 10 Oct 2008, p81
  5. Parthé, E.; Hohnke, E.; Hulliger, F. (1 November 1967). "A new structure type with octahedron pairs for Rh2S3, Rh2Se3 and Ir2S3". Acta Crystallographica. 23 (5): 832–840. Bibcode:1967AcCry..23..832P. doi:10.1107/S0365110X67003767.