Osmium Os, crystals, purity ≥ 99.99%, 2.2 g. Produced by chemical transport reaction in chlorine gas — Photo: Alchemist-hp ( talk ) ( www.pse-mendelejew.de ) · FAL
Osmium
The densest naturally occurring element (symbol Os, atomic number 76) — a hard, bluish-white platinum-group metal.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Osmium is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the native element class, with the chemical formula Os.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group P6_3/mmc).
Key properties: specific gravity 22.48.
IMA symbol Os, IMA status: approved, named in 1804.
With other platinum-group elements and alloys, in ultramafic rocks and placers derived therefrom.
It is found associated with Rutheniridosmine, iridosmine, osmiridium (Ruby Creek, Canada); bowieite, platinum, Ir–Pt alloys, laurite, silicate inclusions (Salmon River, Alaska, USA).
Its name comes from the Greek word for odor, in reference to the pungent and irritating odor when heated in air.