Keilite

Keilite
Keilite
General
Category	Sulfides
Formula	(Fe2+,Mg)S
IMA symbol	Ke
Strunz classification	2/C.15-15
Dana classification	2.8.1.9
Crystal system	Isometric
Crystal class	Hexoctahedral
Space group	Fm3m (No. 225)
Unit cell	a = 5.1717(18)Å
Identification
Formula mass	81.91 gm
Colour	Grey
Crystal habit	Microscopic crystals
Cleavage	Distinct/good
Tenacity	Brittle
Luster	Metallic
Diaphaneity	Opaque
Specific gravity	3.958
Density	3.958

Last updated September 15, 2025

Keilite is an iron-magnesium sulfide mineral with the chemical formula (Fe,Mg)S) that is found in enstatite chondrites.^[2] Keilite is the iron-dominant analog of niningerite.^[3]^[4] Keilite is named after Klaus Keil (born 1934).^[3]

Occurrences

Examples of keilite occurrences are enstatite chondrites and the Zakłodzie meteorite.^[4] It appears to be confined to impact-melt influenced enstatite chondrites that were quenched. There are also some meteorites interpreted as impact-melt breccias that do not contain keilite. This is explained as a deeper burial after impact, which slowed cooling and enabled retrograde reactions (diapthoresis) to take place.^[5]

References

↑ 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.
↑ "Keilite Mineral Data". WebMineral. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
1 2 "Keilite" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
1 2 Shimizu M, Yoshida H, Mandarino JA (2002). "The New Mineral Species Keilite, (Fe,Mg)S, The Iron-Dominant Analogue of Niningerite" (PDF). The Canadian Mineralogist. 40 (6): 1687–1692. Bibcode:2002CaMin..40.1687S. doi:10.2113/gscanmin.40.6.1687. S2CID 93381076.
↑ Keil, Klaus (30 April 2007). "Occurrence and origin of keilite, (Fe>0.5,Mg<0.5)S, in enstatite chondrite impact-melt rocks and impact-melt breccias". Chemie der Erde - Geochemistry. 67 (1): 37–54. Bibcode:2007ChEG...67...37K. doi:10.1016/j.chemer.2006.05.002.

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[1] 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.

[2] "Keilite Mineral Data". WebMineral. Retrieved 15 February 2021.

[:0-3] 1 2 "Keilite" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2021.

[:1-4] 1 2 Shimizu M, Yoshida H, Mandarino JA (2002). "The New Mineral Species Keilite, (Fe,Mg)S, The Iron-Dominant Analogue of Niningerite" (PDF). The Canadian Mineralogist. 40 (6): 1687–1692. Bibcode:2002CaMin..40.1687S. doi:10.2113/gscanmin.40.6.1687. S2CID 93381076.

[Keil_2007-5] Keil, Klaus (30 April 2007). "Occurrence and origin of keilite, (Fe>0.5,Mg<0.5)S, in enstatite chondrite impact-melt rocks and impact-melt breccias". Chemie der Erde - Geochemistry. 67 (1): 37–54. Bibcode:2007ChEG...67...37K. doi:10.1016/j.chemer.2006.05.002.

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