Rammelsbergite

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Rammelsbergite
Rammelsbergite-180028.jpg
General
Category Mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
NiAs2
IMA symbol Rmb [1]
Strunz classification 2.EB.15a
Crystal system Orthorhombic
Crystal class Dipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space group Pnnm
Unit cell a = 4.759 Å, b = 5.797 Å
c = 3.539 Å; Z = 2
Identification
ColorTin white with a faint pinkish hue
Crystal habit Rarely as prismatic crystals; commonly massive, granular, radial, fibrous
Twinning On {101}
Cleavage Distinct on {101}
Fracture Irregular
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness5.5–6
Luster Metallic
Streak Grayish black
Diaphaneity Opaque
Specific gravity 7.0–7.1
Optical propertiesStrongly anisotropic
Pleochroism Weak, yellow to pinkish hue and bluish white
References [2] [3] [4]

Rammelsbergite is a nickel arsenide mineral with formula NiAs2. It forms metallic silvery to tin white to reddish orthorhombic prismatic crystals, and is usually massive in form. It has a Mohs hardness of 5.5 and a specific gravity of 7.1.

It was first described in 1854 from its type locality in the Schneeberg District in Saxony, Germany. It was named after the German chemist and mineralogist, Karl Friedrich August Rammelsberg (1813–1899). [3]

It occurs as a hydrothermal mineral in medium temperature veins association with skutterudite, safflorite, lollingite, nickeline, native bismuth, native silver, algodonite, domeykite and uraninite. [2]

See also

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3
(AsO
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. Erythrite and annabergite, chemical formula Ni
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(AsO
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•8H
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O
, or nickel arsenate form a complete series with the general formula (Co,Ni)
3
(AsO
4
)
2
•8H
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O
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References

  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. 1 2 Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. 1 2 Mindat.org
  4. Webmineral data