Merenskyite
A rare palladium-platinum telluride-bismuthide occurring as inclusions in chalcopyrite.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Merenskyite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfide class, with the chemical formula PdTe₂.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group P-3m1). It is a member of the Melonite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3.5; specific gravity 8.547.
IMA symbol Mrk, IMA status: approved, named in 1965.
A principal Pd–Pt-bearing mineral, in association with numerous other Pt–Pd species; typically in disseminated interstitial segregations of Cu–Fe–Ni sulfides and enclosing silicates.
It is found associated with Moncheite, melonite, kotulskite, michenerite; sperrylite, laurite, cooperite; chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, pyrite; chromite, magnetite.
The mineral was named to honor Dr. Hans Merensky (1871–1952), who was instrumental in the discovery of the “Reef” also named for him.