Hexamolybdenum
A molybdenum-dominant alloy discovered in an ultrarefractory inclusion inside the Allende meteorite.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Hexamolybdenum is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the native element class, with the chemical formula (Mo,Ru,Fe,Ir,Os).
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group P6_3/mmc).
Key properties: specific gravity 11.99.
IMA symbol Hmo, IMA status: approved, named in 2007.
Occurs as grains in an ovoid-shaped, ultra-refractory inclusion in the Allende meteorite, likely a high-temperature condensate early in the formation of the solar system.
It is found associated with Perovskite, Os-Ir-Mo-W alloys, Sc-stabilized tazheranite (cubic zirconia).
Alludes to the symmetry (primitive hexagonal) and composition (molybdenum-rich).