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Polarite

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Polarite
General
CategoryAlloys with PGE
Formula
(repeating unit)
Pd,(Bi,Pb)
IMA symbolPlr[1]
Strunz classification02.AC.40
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classPyramidal (mm2)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupCcm21
Unit cella = 7.19 Å, b = 8.69 Å,
c = 10.68 Å; Z = 16
Identification
ColorWhite with yellowish tint
Crystal habitDisseminated grains (microscopic)
Mohs scale hardness3.5 - 4
LusterMetallic
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityOpaque
Specific gravity12.51
References[2][3][4][5]

Polarite, is an opaque, yellow-white mineral with the chemical formula Pd,(Bi,Pb). Its crystals are orthorhombic pyramidal, but can only be seen through a microscope. It has a metallic luster and leaves a white streak. Polarite is rated 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs Scale.[3][4]

It was first described in 1969 for an occurrence in Talnakh, Norilsk in the Polar Ural Mountains in Russia.[3] It has also been recorded from the Bushveld igneous complex of South Africa and from Fox Gulch, Goodnews Bay, Alaska.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Mineralienatlas
  3. ^ a b c Webmineral data
  4. ^ a b c Handbook of Mineralogy
  5. ^ Mindat.org