Pentlandite
This page kindly sponsored by Mark Kucera
About Pentlandite
Formula:
(NixFey)Σ9S8
x+y=9.
IMA formula is: (Ni,Fe)9S8.
Most samples are Ni-dominant, but some are Fe-dominant.
Typical analyses:
(Ni4.60Fe4.30Co0.17)Σ=9.07S8.00
(Ni4.16Fe3.63Co1.48)Σ=9.27S8.00
(Ni5.89Fe2.51Co0.53)Σ=8.93S8.00
(Fe4.80Ni4.12Co0.08)Σ=9S8
IMA formula is: (Ni,Fe)9S8.
Most samples are Ni-dominant, but some are Fe-dominant.
Typical analyses:
(Ni4.60Fe4.30Co0.17)Σ=9.07S8.00
(Ni4.16Fe3.63Co1.48)Σ=9.27S8.00
(Ni5.89Fe2.51Co0.53)Σ=8.93S8.00
(Fe4.80Ni4.12Co0.08)Σ=9S8
Colour:
Pale bronze-yellow; bronze; brown; reddish brown when argentian
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.6 - 5
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Joseph Barclay Pentland (17 January 1797, Ballybofey, Ireland - 12 July 1873), Irish naturalist, who discovered the mineral at Sudbury, Ontario.
Pentlandite Group. Cobaltpentlandite-Pentlandite Series.
Pentlandite is a rather pale brassy yellow metallic sulphide, one of the most important nickel ores, and a primary mineral in many ultramafic rocks. It is usually found associated, and commonly finely intergrown, with pyrrhotite, and rarely shows microscopically visible crystals. It is difficult to confirm visually but sometimes can be distinguished by its paler colour, octahedral cleavage, and non-magnetic nature.
Compare also the chemically similar mackinawite, godlevskite and horomanite; 'UM1981-13-S:CoFeNiRh' and 'UM1989-25-S:FeNi'.
Pentlandite is a rather pale brassy yellow metallic sulphide, one of the most important nickel ores, and a primary mineral in many ultramafic rocks. It is usually found associated, and commonly finely intergrown, with pyrrhotite, and rarely shows microscopically visible crystals. It is difficult to confirm visually but sometimes can be distinguished by its paler colour, octahedral cleavage, and non-magnetic nature.
Compare also the chemically similar mackinawite, godlevskite and horomanite; 'UM1981-13-S:CoFeNiRh' and 'UM1989-25-S:FeNi'.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3155
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3155:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
8190dccb-2a5e-4ca2-92dc-73af99aabe74
Classification of Pentlandite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
2.BB.15
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
B : With Ni
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
B : With Ni
2.7.1.1
2 : SULFIDES
7 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 9:8
2 : SULFIDES
7 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 9:8
3.11.9
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
11 : Sulphides etc. of Ni
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
11 : Sulphides etc. of Ni
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Pn | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pn | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
Pn | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
Pn | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
Physical Properties of Pentlandite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Pale bronze-yellow; bronze; brown; reddish brown when argentian
Streak:
Pale bronze-brown
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=268 - 285 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Parting:
On {111}.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
4.6 - 5 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.956 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Pentlandite
Type:
Isotropic
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R |
---|---|
400nm | 32.8% |
420nm | 35.1% |
440nm | 37.1% |
460nm | 39.2% |
480nm | 41.1% |
500nm | 42.9% |
520nm | 44.5% |
540nm | 46.1% |
560nm | 47.6% |
580nm | 48.5% |
600nm | 49.6% |
620nm | 50.7% |
640nm | 51.8% |
660nm | 52.7% |
680nm | 53.4% |
700nm | 54.2% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 54.2%.
Chemical Properties of Pentlandite
Formula:
(NixFey)Σ9S8
x+y=9.
IMA formula is: (Ni,Fe)9S8.
Most samples are Ni-dominant, but some are Fe-dominant.
Typical analyses:
(Ni4.60Fe4.30Co0.17)Σ=9.07S8.00
(Ni4.16Fe3.63Co1.48)Σ=9.27S8.00
(Ni5.89Fe2.51Co0.53)Σ=8.93S8.00
(Fe4.80Ni4.12Co0.08)Σ=9S8
x+y=9.
IMA formula is: (Ni,Fe)9S8.
Most samples are Ni-dominant, but some are Fe-dominant.
Typical analyses:
(Ni4.60Fe4.30Co0.17)Σ=9.07S8.00
(Ni4.16Fe3.63Co1.48)Σ=9.27S8.00
(Ni5.89Fe2.51Co0.53)Σ=8.93S8.00
(Fe4.80Ni4.12Co0.08)Σ=9S8
IMA Formula:
(Ni,Fe)9S8
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Co,Ag,Cu
Chemical Analysis
wt%
1 | |
---|---|
S | 33.48 % |
Fe | 26.27 % |
Co | 16.95 % |
Ni | 23.90 % |
Cu | 0.03 % |
Zn | 0.07 % |
Ag | 0.01 % |
Sb | 0.01 % |
Total: | 100.72 % |
Empirical formulas:
Sample ID | Empirical Formula |
---|---|
1 | (Fe3.62Ni3.13Co2.21)S8.03 |
Sample references:
ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Tazheranskii Massif, Lake Baikal area, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia | Frank K. Mazdab collection; sample FKM-283; https://www.rockptx.com/fkm-276-to-fkm-300/#FKM-283 | sparse small grains associated with magnetite and "limonite", in a high-grade geikielite-bearing magnesian marble, with abundant forsterite and spinel. |
Crystallography of Pentlandite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Fm3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.928(1) Å
Unit Cell V:
978.56 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Massive or irregular grains.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0000079 | Pentlandite | Pearson A D, Buerger M J (1956) Confirmation of the crystal structure of pentlandite. American Mineralogist 41 804-805 | 1956 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000437 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1975) Thermal expansion of the pentlandite structure Frood, at 24 deg C American Mineralogist 60 39-48 | 1975 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000438 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1975) Thermal expansion of the pentlandite structure Frood, at 200 deg C American Mineralogist 60 39-48 | 1975 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000439 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1975) Thermal expansion of the pentlandite structure Frood, at 24 deg C after heating American Mineralogist 60 39-48 | 1975 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000440 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1975) Thermal expansion of the pentlandite structure Outokumpu, at 24 deg C American Mineralogist 60 39-48 | 1975 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000441 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1975) Thermal expansion of the pentlandite structure Outokumpu, at 235 deg C American Mineralogist 60 39-48 | 1975 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000442 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1975) Thermal expansion of the pentlandite structure Outokumpu, at 350 deg C American Mineralogist 60 39-48 | 1975 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000443 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1975) Thermal expansion of the pentlandite structure Outokumpu, at 24 deg C after heating American Mineralogist 60 39-48 | 1975 | 0 | 293 | ||
0004226 | Pentlandite | Tenailleau C, Etschmann B, Ibberson R M, Pring A (2006) A neutron powder diffraction study of Fe and Ni distributions in synthetic pentlandite and violarite using 60Ni isotope American Mineralogist 91 1442-1447 | 2006 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0004227 | Pentlandite | Tenailleau C, Etschmann B, Ibberson R M, Pring A (2006) A neutron powder diffraction study of Fe and Ni distributions in synthetic pentlandite and violarite using 60Ni isotope American Mineralogist 91 1442-1447 | 2006 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0004228 | Pentlandite | Tenailleau C, Etschmann B, Ibberson R M, Pring A (2006) A neutron powder diffraction study of Fe and Ni distributions in synthetic pentlandite and violarite using 60Ni isotope American Mineralogist 91 1442-1447 | 2006 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0004229 | Pentlandite | Tenailleau C, Etschmann B, Ibberson R M, Pring A (2006) A neutron powder diffraction study of Fe and Ni distributions in synthetic pentlandite and violarite using 60Ni isotope American Mineralogist 91 1442-1447 | 2006 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0005094 | Pentlandite | Hall S R, Stewart J M (1973) The crystal structure of argentian pentlandite (Fe,Ni)8AgS8, compared with the refined structure of pentlandite (Fe,Ni)9S8 The Canadian Mineralogist 12 169-177 | 1973 | 0 | 293 | ||
0005095 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1973) Crystal chemistry of natural pentlandite The Canadian Mineralogist 12 178-187 | 1973 | Frood Mine, Ontario, Canada | 0 | 293 | |
0005096 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1973) Crystal chemistry of natural pentlandite The Canadian Mineralogist 12 178-187 | 1973 | Outokumpu, Finland | 0 | 293 | |
0007699 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 293 | ||
0007700 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 2 | 433 | ||
0007701 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 523 | ||
0007702 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 1 | 523 | ||
0007703 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 2 | 523 | ||
0007704 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 2 | 523 | ||
0007705 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 4 | 523 | ||
0007706 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 1 | 723 | ||
0007707 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 293 | ||
0007708 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 473 | ||
0007709 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 473 | ||
0007710 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 473 | ||
0007711 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 473 | ||
0007712 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 473 | ||
0007713 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 448 | ||
0007714 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 448 | ||
0007715 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 448 | ||
0007716 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 448 | ||
0007717 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 423 | ||
0007718 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 423 | ||
0007719 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 423 | ||
0007720 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 423 | ||
0007721 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 423 | ||
0007722 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 1 | 293 | ||
0007723 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 473 | ||
0007724 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 293 | ||
0007725 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 533 | ||
0018056 | Pentlandite | Alsen N (1925) Roentgenographische Untersuchungen der Kristallstrukturen von Magnetkies, Breithauptit, Pentlandit, Millerit und verwandten Verbindungen _cod_database_code 1011181 Geologiska Foreningens i Stockholm Forhandlingar 47 19-73 | 1925 | 0 | 293 | ||
0018077 | Pentlandite | Lindqvist M, Lindqvist D, Westgren A (1936) The crystal structure of Co9 S8 and of pentlandite (Ni Fe)9 S8 _cod_database_code 1011207 Svensk Kemisk Tidskrift 48 156-160 | 1936 | 0 | 293 | ||
0018078 | Pentlandite | Lindqvist M, Lindqvist D, Westgren A (1936) The crystal structure of Co9 S8 and of pentlandite (Ni Fe)9 S8 _cod_database_code 1011208 Svensk Kemisk Tidskrift 48 156-160 | 1936 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
1.775 Å | (100) |
3.028 Å | (80) |
1.931 Å | (50) |
2.896 Å | (40) |
5.780 Å | (30) |
2.301 Å | (30) |
1.307 Å | (20) |
Comments:
Worthington mine, Sudbury, Canada.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 1: Primary nebular phases | 4.567-4.561 |
4 : Primary chondrule phases | 4.566–4.561 |
Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration | 4.566-4.550 |
5 : Primary asteroid phases | 4.566–4.560 |
6 : Secondary asteroid phases | 4.566-4.560 |
Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
7 : Ultramafic igneous rocks | |
Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
12 : Hadean hydrothermal subsurface sulfide deposits (see also #33) | |
14 : Hot springs, geysers, and other subaerial geothermal minerals | |
15 : Black/white smoker minerals and other seafloor hydrothermal minerals | |
High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) | |
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks | |
37 : Layered igneous intrusions and related PGE minerals | |
Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
38 : Ophiolites |
Geological Setting:
Disseminated to massive sulfide in ultramafic rocks and related rocks.
Type Occurrence of Pentlandite
Co-Type Localities:
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom, numbers 26622 and 26623 (holotype).
Synonyms of Pentlandite
Other Language Names for Pentlandite
Basque:Pentlandita
Catalan:Pentlandita
Dutch:Pentlandiet
Finnish:Pentlandiitti
French:Pentlandite
Italian:Pentlandite
Lithuanian:Pentlanditas
Russian:Пентландит
Simplified Chinese:镍黄铁矿
Swedish:Pentlandit
Varieties of Pentlandite
Cobalt-bearing Pentlandite | A cobaltian pentlandite from a gabbro in the Surjusdalen area, Sulitjelma, Nordland, Norway was reported by Cooper et al. (1979) |
Palladium-bearing Pentlandite | May contain as much as 0.17 wt.% Pd. The highest concentration of palladium in Pd‐rich pentlandites of the Southern‐2 ore body corresponds to 11.26 wt.%, |
Rhodian Pentlandite | |
Silver-bearing Pentlandite | A Ag-bearing variety of pentlandite. Compare the end-member argentopentlandite. |
Relationship of Pentlandite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Argentopentlandite | Ag(Fe,Ni)8S8 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
Cobaltpentlandite | Co9S8 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
Geffroyite | (Cu,Fe,Ag)9(Se,S)8 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
Oberthürite | Rh3Ni32S32 | Iso. |
Shadlunite | (Pb,Cd)(Fe,Cu)8S8 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
Sugakiite | Cu(Fe,Ni)8S8 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P42/mnm |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Pyrrhotite | Fe1-xS |
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
112 photos of Pentlandite associated with Pyrrhotite | Fe1-xS |
99 photos of Pentlandite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
47 photos of Pentlandite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
30 photos of Pentlandite associated with Magnetite | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
29 photos of Pentlandite associated with Violarite | Fe2+Ni3+2S4 |
25 photos of Pentlandite associated with Altaite | PbTe |
15 photos of Pentlandite associated with Galena | PbS |
15 photos of Pentlandite associated with Marcasite | FeS2 |
13 photos of Pentlandite associated with Cubanite | CuFe2S3 |
11 photos of Pentlandite associated with Sperrylite | PtAs2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
2.BB. | Horomanite | Fe6Ni3S8 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/mmm |
2.BB. | Samaniite | Cu2Fe5Ni2S8 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P42/mnm |
2.BB. | UM2007-27-S:CuFeIrNiRh | (Ni,Fe,Cu,Rh,Ir)11S9 | |
2.BB. | Arsenotučekite | Ni18Sb3AsS16 | Tet. 4mm : I4mm |
2.BB. | Hrabákite | Ni9PbSbS8 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/mmm |
2.BB.05 | Heazlewoodite | Ni3S2 | Trig. 3 2 : R3 2 |
2.BB.05 | Oregonite | Ni2FeAs2 | Hex. |
2.BB.05 | Vozhminite | (Ni,Co)4(As,Sb)S2 | Hex. |
2.BB.05 | UM2007-30-S:Fe | Fe3S2 | |
2.BB.10 | Arsenohauchecornite | Ni18Bi3AsS16 | Tet. |
2.BB.10 | Bismutohauchecornite | Ni9Bi2S8 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/mmm |
2.BB.10 | Hauchecornite | Ni9BiSbS8 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/mmm |
2.BB.10 | Tellurohauchecornite | Ni9Bi(Te,Bi)S8 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/mmm |
2.BB.10 | Tučekite | Ni9Sb2S8 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/mmm |
2.BB.15 | Argentopentlandite | Ag(Fe,Ni)8S8 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
2.BB.15 | Cobaltpentlandite | Co9S8 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
2.BB.15 | Geffroyite | (Cu,Fe,Ag)9(Se,S)8 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
2.BB.15 | Godlevskite | (Ni,Fe)9S8 | Orth. 2 2 2 : C2 2 2 |
2.BB.15 | Kharaelakhite | (Cu,Pt,Pb,Fe,Ni)9S8 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmmm |
2.BB.15 | Manganoshadlunite | (Mn,Pb,Cd)(Cu,Fe)8S8 | |
2.BB.15 | Shadlunite | (Pb,Cd)(Fe,Cu)8S8 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
2.BB.15 | Sugakiite | Cu(Fe,Ni)8S8 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P42/mnm |
2.BB.15 | UM2002-26-S:FeNi | (Ni,Fe)9S8 | Hex. |
2.BB.15 | Ferhodsite | (Fe,Rh,Ni,Ir,Cu,Pt)9S8 | Tet. |
2.BB.15 | Oberthürite | Rh3Ni32S32 | Iso. |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
Ore of nickel.
References for Pentlandite
Reference List:
Localities for Pentlandite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
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Armenia | |
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Atlantic Ocean | |
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Austria | |
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Belarus | |
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Belgium | |
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Bolivia | |
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Brazil | |
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Bulgaria | |
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Burkina Faso | |
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Cameroon | |
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Canada | |
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Central African Republic | |
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Chile | |
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China | |
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Denmark | |
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DR Congo | |
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East Timor | |
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Allarechenskoe Ni-Cu ore field, Pechengsky District, Murmansk Oblast, Russia