Nichromite
| Nichromite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Spinel Group |
| Formula (repeating unit) | (Ni,Co,Fe)(Cr,Fe,Al)2O4 |
| Strunz classification | 04.BB.05 |
| Crystal symmetry | Isometric, m3m(4/m32/m) hexoctahedral |
| Unit cell | a=8.32 ŠV=573.86 ų; Z = 8 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Dark green, black |
| Crystal habit | Granular, anhedral to subhedral |
| Crystal system | Isometric |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Mohs scale hardness | 6-6½ |
| Luster | Metallic |
| Streak | Greyish green |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque |
| Specific gravity | 5.10 |
| Optical properties | Isotropic |
| References | [1][2][3][4] |
Nichromite (Ni,Co,Fe)(Cr,Fe,Al)2O4[1] is a black cubic metallic mineral and member of the spinel group.[5] Nichromite was originally reported from the Bon Accord nickel deposit in Barberton District, South Africa.[1] Occurring naturally in a nickel deposit, nichromite is named for chromite with dominant nickel.[2]
The atomic arrangement of the spinel group is a commonly studied structure and characteristically has four closely packed oxygen atoms. The nickel atoms are organized corresponding to a "normal" spinel arrangement.[6]
The mineral has only been found in the Bon Accord Nickel Deposit in South Africa where it is formed by replacing chromite and rimmed by trevorite.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Nichromite on Mindat.org
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nichromite on Webmineral
- ↑ Sawaokaa,A.,Saitoa,S.,Inoueb,K. and Asadab,T. (1971)Effect of high pressure on the lattice constants of chromites having the spinel structure. Materials Research Bulletin, 6, 97-101.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cabri, L. J., Chao G.Y., Pabst, Adolf, Fleischer, Michael. (1980) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 65, 811.
- ↑ Glossary of Geology
- ↑ Wyckoff, R.W.G. (1965) Crystal Structures (Second Edition). 75-86 p. University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.