Westerveldite Locality: Ilímaussaq complex, Narsaq, Kujalleq, Greenland, Denmark Lustrous grey metallic grains of westerveldite in matrix. Field of view 1.5 cm. — Photo: Leon Hupperichs · CC BY-SA 3.0
Westerveldite
Westerveldite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfide class, with the chemical formula FeAs.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pbnm). It is a member of the Modderite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 5; specific gravity 8.13.
IMA symbol Wvd, IMA status: approved, named in 1971.
Occurs as minute inclusions in maucherite which occurs in chromite-nickeline ores. The chromite ores and associated cordierite rock are schlieren veins through serpentinized ultramafic rocks (La Gallega mine, Spain).
It is found associated with Maucherite, nickeline, cobaltite, nickeloan löllingite, Fe–Co-rich gersdorffite, rammelsbergite, antimony, serpentine.
The name refers to Dr. Jan Westerveld (1905–1962), Professor of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.