Metallic inclusions of the extremely rare mineral orcelite in pentlandite and maucherite in an analyzed specimen by SEM/EDS by the former owner of the specimen. From: Nipissing District, Ontario, Canada. The specimen is partially polished due to the analysis. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY 4.0
Orcelite
A rare nickel-iron arsenide named for French mineralogist Jean Orcel.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Orcelite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfide class, with the chemical formula Ni₅₋ₓAs₂ (x = 0.25).
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group P6_3cm).
Key properties: specific gravity 6.5; Metallic luster.
IMA symbol Orc, IMA status: approved, named in 1959.
Occurs as inclusions in pentlandite in serpentinized harzburgite.
It is found associated with Pentlandite, heazlewoodite, millerite, parkerite, maucherite, breithauptite, magnetite, nickel, copper, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, galena.
The name refers to Professor Jean Orcel (1896–1978), French mineralogist.