Breithauptite

Nickel antimonide mineral
(repeating unit)nickel antimonide (NiSb)IMA symbolBhp[1]Strunz classification2.CC.05Crystal systemHexagonalCrystal classDihexagonal dipyramidal (6/mmm)
H-M symbol: (6/m 2/m 2/m)Space groupP63/mmcUnit cella = 3.946 Å, c = 5.148 Å, Z = 2IdentificationColorPale copper-red, may be with violet tintCrystal habitCrystals rare, thin tabular or needlelike, to 1 mm; arborescent, disseminated, massiveTwinningTwin plane {1011}CleavageNoneFractureSubconchoidal to unevenTenacityBrittleMohs scale hardness5.5LusterMetallicStreakReddish brownDiaphaneityOpaqueSpecific gravity7.591–8.23 measured; 8.629 calculatedPleochroismVery distinctReferences[2][3][4]

Breithauptite is a nickel antimonide mineral with the simple formula NiSb. Breithauptite is a metallic opaque copper-red mineral crystallizing in the hexagonal - dihexagonal dipyramidal crystal system. It is typically massive to reniform in habit, but is observed as tabular crystals. It has a Mohs hardness of 3.5 to 4 and a specific gravity of 8.23.

It occurs in hydrothermal calcite veins associated with cobalt–nickel–silver ores.

Massive breithauptite with orange-brown nickeline and minor quartz from the Cobalt area of Ontario, Canada

It was first described in 1840 from the Harz Mountains, Lower Saxony, Germany, and in 1845 for occurrences in the Cobalt and Thunder Bay districts of Ontario, Canada. It was named to honor Saxon mineralogist Johann Friedrich August Breithaupt (1791–1873).

See also

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. ^ Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. ^ Mindat with location data
  4. ^ Webmineral data
  • Palache, C., H. Berman, and C. Frondel (1944) Dana's system of mineralogy, (7th edition), v. I, pp. 238–239
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