Merenskyite is a rare telluride / bismuthinide mineral with the chemical formula (Pd,Pt)(Te,Bi)2.[3][4] It is an opaque white to light gray metallic mineral that occurs as inclusions within other minerals such as chalcopyrite. It crystallizes in the trigonal crystal system.[3]
| Merenskyite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Telluride mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | (Pd,Pt)(Te,Bi)2 |
| IMA symbol | Mrk[1] |
| Strunz classification | 2.EA.20 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Crystal class | Hexagonal scalenohedral (3m) H-M symbol: (3m) |
| Space group | P3m1 |
| Unit cell | a = 3.978(1) Å, c = 5.125(2) Å; Z = 1 |
| Identification | |
| Color | White, grayish white |
| Crystal habit | Microscopic inclusions, intergrowths with other Pd–Pt minerals |
| Mohs scale hardness | 3.5 |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque |
| Specific gravity | 8.547 |
| Pleochroism | Weak, white to grayish white in air under reflected light |
| References | [2][3][4][5] |
Merenskyite was first described in 1966 for an occurrence in the Merensky Reef of the Western Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa, and named for South African geologist Hans Merensky (1871–1952).[5]