Outstanding green crystal aggregates of the very rare Ni silicate mineral brindleyite from a locality in New Mexico (Victorio District, Luna County, New Mexico, United States of America), associated to an unknown yellow mineral. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY 4.0
Brindleyite
Brindleyite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula (Ni,Al)₃(Si,Al)₂O₅(OH)₄.
It crystallizes in the tetragonal crystal system. It is a member of the Serpentine, Clay structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2.5–3; specific gravity 3.17.
IMA symbol Bly, IMA status: approved, named in 1975.
Occurs as coatings on limestone and as veinlets cutting kaolinitic clays at the base of a bauxite deposit developed on karst; also a significant component of weathered ultramafic rock (Megara, Greece).
It is found associated with BastnÄasite, malachite, bayerite (Megara, Greece).
The mineral was named to honor Dr. George William Brindley (1905–1983), Professor of Mineral Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.