Nichromite

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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. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Nichromite on Mindat.org
  2. 2.0 2.1 Nichromite on Webmineral
  3. 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. 4.0 4.1 Cabri, L. J., Chao G.Y., Pabst, Adolf, Fleischer, Michael. (1980) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 65, 811.
  5. Glossary of Geology
  6. Wyckoff, R.W.G. (1965) Crystal Structures (Second Edition). 75-86 p. University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.

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