Nickelskutterudite Locality : Schneeberg, Erzgebirge, Saxony Germany — Photo: Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 3.0
Nickelskutterudite
The nickel-dominant member of the skutterudite group — a nickel arsenide with the CoAs₃ structure.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Nickelskutterudite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfosalt class, with the chemical formula (Ni,Co,Fe)As₃.
It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system. It is a member of the Perovskite, Skutterudite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 5.5–6; specific gravity 6.5; Black streak; Bright metallic on fresh surfaces. Anisotropism: Weak to distinct in some zones. R: (400) 52.0, (420) 52.5, (440) 53.3 luster.
IMA symbol Nskt, IMA status: approved, named in 1893.
Found in hydrothermal veins deposited at medium temperature.
It is found associated with Arsenopyrite, silver, bismuth, calcite, siderite, barite, quartz.
As the nickel member of the series; skutterudite from its locality at Skutterud, Norway.