Metallic inclusions of the extremely rare rhodium mineral cherepanovite (RhAs) associated to ferronickelplatinum in a matrix specimen from Koriak-Kamchatka (Koriak-Kamchatka Fold Zone, Kemerovo Oblast, Russian Federation). Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. Specimen analyzed by SEM/EDS. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cherepanovite
Cherepanovite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfide class, with the chemical formula RhAs.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pnma). It is a member of the Modderite structural group.
Key properties: specific gravity 9.72; Grayish black streak; Metallic luster.
IMA symbol Cpv, IMA status: approved, named in 1984.
Found in a placer with other platinum group element minerals derived from an ultramafic massif in an ophiolite belt (Northern Pekul’nei River, Russia).
It is found associated with Isoferroplatinum, tetraferroplatinum, ferronickelplatinum, rutheniridosmine, laurite, irarsite, cooperite, sperrylite, hollingworthite, chromite.
In honor of Vladimir Aleksandrovich Cherepanov (1927–1983), Russian geologist and mineralogist, Karpinskii All-Union Research Institute of Geology, St. Petersburg, Russia.