Polarite
Appearance
Polarite | |
---|---|
General | |
Category | Alloys with PGE |
Formula (repeating unit) | Pd,(Bi,Pb) |
IMA symbol | Plr[1] |
Strunz classification | 02.AC.40 |
Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
Crystal class | Pyramidal (mm2) (same H-M symbol) |
Space group | Ccm21 |
Unit cell | a = 7.19 Å, b = 8.69 Å, c = 10.68 Å; Z = 16 |
Identification | |
Color | White with yellowish tint |
Crystal habit | Disseminated grains (microscopic) |
Mohs scale hardness | 3.5 - 4 |
Luster | Metallic |
Streak | White |
Diaphaneity | Opaque |
Specific gravity | 12.51 |
References | [2][3][4][5] |
Polarite, is an opaque, yellow-white mineral with the chemical formula Pd,(Bi,Pb). Its crystals are orthorhombic pyramidal, but can only be seen through a microscope. It has a metallic luster and leaves a white streak. Polarite is rated 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs Scale.[3][4]
It was first described in 1969 for an occurrence in Talnakh, Norilsk in the Polar Ural Mountains in Russia.[3] It has also been recorded from the Bushveld igneous complex of South Africa and from Fox Gulch, Goodnews Bay, Alaska.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ Mineralienatlas
- ^ a b c Webmineral data
- ^ a b c Handbook of Mineralogy
- ^ Mindat.org