Atheneite
A rare palladium-mercury arsenide associated with palladium-gold deposits.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Atheneite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfosalt class, with the chemical formula Pd₂(As₀.₇₅Hg₀.₂₅).
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group P6/mmm). It is a member of the Barringerite structural group.
Key properties: specific gravity 10.2; Metallic luster.
IMA symbol Ah, IMA status: approved, named in 1973.
Found in concentrates from gold washings.
It is found associated with Arsenopalladinite, palladseite, isomertieite, hematite (Itabira, Brazil).
The name commemorates the Greek goddess Pallas Athene, in allusion to its palladium content.
Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data and a Wikipedia introduction — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet.
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