Green liebenbergite crystals associated to a whitlockite group mineral from Lavrion (Kamariza Mines, Lavrion, Attiki Prefecture, Greece). Liebenbergite has only been found in 4 localities worldwide. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Liebenbergite
Liebenbergite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula Ni₂(SiO₄).
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pbnm). It is a member of the Olivine structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 6–6.5; specific gravity 4.6; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Lbb, IMA status: approved, named in 1972.
Found in a small tabular nickel deposit at the contact between quartzite and serpentinized ultramafics; it appears to have formed at ~730° C and < 2 kbar during thermal metamorphism, possibly of a nickel-rich meteorite.
It is found associated with Trevorite, nickeloan serpentine, nickeloan ludwigite, bunsenite, violarite, millerite, gasp¶eite, nimite, bonaccordite.
The name refers to W.R. Liebenberg, Deputy Director-General of the National Institute for Metallurgy of South Africa.