Tsikourasite
Tsikourasite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the native element class, with the chemical formula Mo₃Ni₂P₁₊ₓ (x < 0.25).
It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system (space group F-43m).
Key properties: specific gravity 9.182; Metallic luster.
IMA symbol Tsi, IMA status: approved, named in 2019.
Found in a heavy mineral concentrate separated from podiform chromitite hosted in strongly serpentinized dunite from a mantle tectonite composed of harzburgite and minor intercalations of plagioclase-bearing lherzolite.
It is found associated with Grammatikopoulosite, nickelphosphide, awaruite.
The mineral was named to honor Basilios Tsikouras (b. 1965), associate professor, Faculty of Science, Physical and Geological Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.