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Greigite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About GreigiteHide

09710900017271923574940.jpg
Joseph W. Greig
Formula:
Fe2+Fe3+2S4
Colour:
metallic pinkish, tarnishing to a metallic blue, sooty black when amorphous
Lustre:
Metallic, Earthy
Hardness:
4 - 4½
Specific Gravity:
4.049
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
Named in honor of Joseph Wilson Greig (1895, Ontario, Canada - 22 October 1977, Lewistown, Pennsylvania, USA), a mineralogist and physical chemist at at the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution, Washington, D.C., USA and later at Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA. He was a pioneer in high-temperature phase equilibrium studies of oxide and sulfide systems. Perhaps his greatest contribution was a comprehensive study of liquid immiscibility in silicate systems, with important applications in high tempertaure furnaces.
Linnaeite Group and Thiospinel Group.
Strongly magnetic.
An important biomineral, that may be associated with lake sediments.
Iron thiospinel occurs always in small crystals to 0.03 mm and as an X-ray amorphous colloidal precipitate from an iron sulfide gel known as the melnikovite of Doss.
Greigite is metastable with respect to pyrite and marcasite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1747
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1747:9

Similar NamesHide

IMA Classification of GreigiteHide

Classification of GreigiteHide

2.DA.05

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
D : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 3 :4 and 2:3
A : M:S = 3:4
2.10.1.10

2 : SULFIDES
10 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 3:4
3.9.5

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
9 : Sulphides etc. of Fe

Mineral SymbolsHide

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.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
GrgIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
GrgThe Canadian Mineralogist (2019)The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download
GrgWarr (2020)Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30

Physical Properties of GreigiteHide

Metallic, Earthy
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Metallic pinkish, tarnishing to a metallic blue, sooty black when amorphous
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
4 - 4½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN50=401 - 423 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Density:
4.049 g/cm3 (Measured)    4.079 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of GreigiteHide

Type:
Isotropic
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)
400nm30.5%
440nm31.7%
480nm32.7%
520nm33.6%
560nm34.7%
600nm35.9%
640nm37.1%
680nm38.1%
700nm38.7%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 38.7%.
Colour in reflected light:
Pale creamy white

Chemistry of GreigiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Fe2+Fe3+2S4
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Fe56.639 %
S43.361 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Common Impurities:
Cu,Ni,Zn,Mn,Cr,Sb,As

Crystallography of GreigiteHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m(4/m32/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Fd3m
Setting:
Fd3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.876 Å
Unit Cell V:
963.26 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Balls of intergrown octahedra, cubes, granular

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0000127GreigiteSkinner B J, Erd R C, Grimaldi F S (1964) Greigite, the thio-spinel of iron; a new mineral American Mineralogist 49 543-55519640293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.980 Å(100)
1.746 Å(77)
2.470 Å(55)
3.498 Å(32)
1.008 Å(31)
1.901 Å(29)
1.105 Å(16)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration4.566-4.550
6 : Secondary asteroid phases4.566-4.560
Near-surface Processes
25 : Evaporites (prebiotic)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])
Stage 6: Anoxic biosphere<4.0
44 : Anoxic microbially mediated minerals (see also #44)
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere<0.6
49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44)<0.54
Geological Setting:
Lacustrine beds, hydrothermal veins

Type Occurrence of GreigiteHide

Synonyms of GreigiteHide

Other Language Names for GreigiteHide

Dutch:Greigiet
German:Greigit
Simplified Chinese:胶黄铁矿
硫复铁矿
Spanish:Greigita

Relationship of Greigite to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of Linnaeite Subgroup:
CadmoinditeCdIn2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
Cuprorhodsite(Cu+0.5Fe3+0.5)Rh3+2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
DaubréeliteFe2+Cr3+2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
GrimmiteNiCo2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
InditeFeIn2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
JoegoldsteiniteMnCr2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
KalininiteZnCr2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
LinnaeiteCo2+Co3+2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
PolydymiteNi2+Ni3+2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
SiegeniteCoNi2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
Tarkianite(Cu,Fe)(Re,Mo)4S8Iso. 43m : F43m
ViolariteFe2+Ni3+2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
XingzhongitePb2+Ir3+2S4Iso.
Forms a series with:

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
6 photos of Greigite associated with PyriteFeS2
5 photos of Greigite associated with AnalcimeNa(AlSi2O6) · H2O
5 photos of Greigite associated with PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
5 photos of Greigite associated with HectoriteNa0.3(Mg,Li)3(Si4O10)(F,OH)2
4 photos of Greigite associated with StibniteSb2S3
3 photos of Greigite associated with PeretaiteCa(SbO)4(SO4)2(OH)2 · 2H2O
3 photos of Greigite associated with KlebelsbergiteSb4O4(SO4)(OH)2
2 photos of Greigite associated with MagnetiteFe2+Fe3+2O4
2 photos of Greigite associated with DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
2 photos of Greigite associated with QuartzSiO2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.DA.FerrodimolybdeniteFeMo2S4Mon. 2/m : B2/b
2.DA.ZaykoviteRh3Se4Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.DA.EzochiiteCu+(Rh3+Pt4+)S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.GrimmiteNiCo2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.ZolenskyiteFeCr2S4Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.DA.05ShiranuiiteCu+(Rh3+Rh4+)S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05FletcheriteCuNi2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05Florensovite(Cu,Zn)Cr1.5Sb0.5S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m)
2.DA.05SiegeniteCoNi2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05CadmoinditeCdIn2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05KalininiteZnCr2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05ViolariteFe2+Ni3+2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05NickeltyrrelliteCuNi2Se4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05LinnaeiteCo2+Co3+2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05CarrolliteCuCo2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05Cuproiridsite(Cu,Fe)Ir2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05Cuprorhodsite(Cu+0.5Fe3+0.5)Rh3+2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05BerndlehmanniteCu(CrV)S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05PolydymiteNi2+Ni3+2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05TrüstedtiteNi3Se4Iso.
2.DA.05DaubréeliteFe2+Cr3+2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05CuprokalininiteCu(Cr3+Cr4+)S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05JoegoldsteiniteMnCr2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05BornhardtiteCo2+Co3+2Se4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05TyrrelliteCu(Co,Ni)2Se4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05InditeFeIn2S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
2.DA.05XingzhongitePb2+Ir3+2S4Iso.
2.DA.05MalaniteCu+(Ir3+Pt4+)S4Iso. m3m(4/m32/m)
2.DA.10RhodostanniteCu+(Fe2+0.5Sn4+1.5)S4Tet. 4/m : I41/a
2.DA.10ToyohaiteAg+(Fe2+0.5Sn4+1.5)S4Tet. 4/m : I41/a
2.DA.15BrezinaiteCr3S4Mon. 2/m
2.DA.15Heideite(Fe,Cr)1.15(Ti,Fe)2S4Mon. 2/m
2.DA.20KonderiteCu3Pb(Rh,Pt,Ir)8S16Hex. 6/m : P6/m
2.DA.20InaglyiteCu3Pb(Ir,Pt)8S16Hex.
2.DA.25KingstoniteRh3S4Mon. 2/m : B2/m

Other InformationHide

Magnetism:
Ferrimagnetic
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Internet Links for GreigiteHide

References for GreigiteHide

Reference List:

Localities for GreigiteHide

Showing 86 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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.
Albania
 
  • Shkodër County
    • Vau i Dejës
      • Drin valley
Ferrini et al. (2003)
Antarctica
 
  • East Antarctica
    • Queen Maud Land
      • Queen Fabiola Mountains
El Gorsey et al. (1988)
  • West Antarctica
    • Antarctic Peninsula
      • South Shetland Islands
Agusto et al. (2004)
Argentina
 
  • Catamarca Province
    • Andalgalá Department
      • Andalgalá
        • Capillitas mining district
MARQUEZ-ZAVALIA
  • Jujuy Province
    • Humahuaca Department
      • El Aguilar
Paar et al. (2016)
Singer et al. (2009)
    • Rinconada Department
      • Rinconada
Coira et al. (1995)
  • La Rioja Province
de Brodtkorb +2 other references
Atlantic Ocean
 
  • Mid-Atlantic Ridge complex
    • Ashadze hydrothermal area
Firstova et al. (2016)
Maslennikov et al. (2023)
Australia
 
  • New South Wales
    • Sandon Co.
      • Hillgrove
Gilligan et al. (1992)
  • Tasmania
    • West Coast municipality
      • Zeehan mining district
        • North Dundas
Kitto
Austria
 
  • Carinthia
    • Wolfsberg District
      • Reichenfels
        • Mischlinggraben
C.Auer (2013)
Belgium
 
  • Flanders
    • East Flanders
      • Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht
        • Beveren
Hatert et al. (2002)
Jedwab (1967) +2 other references
  • Wallonia
    • Liège
      • Engis
Kucha et al. (1996)
Canada
 
  • Manitoba
Menard et al. (1996)
  • Nova Scotia
    • Lunenburg Co.
      • Riverport
Dr. Robert C. Smith
  • Québec
    • Montérégie
      • La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM
        • Mont Saint-Hilaire
Grice (1989) +1 other reference
Chile
 
  • Atacama
    • Copiapó Province
      • Tierra Amarilla
        • Pampa Larga mining district
          • Alacrán
Popova et al. (1986) +1 other reference
    • Huasco Province
      • Alto del Carmen
Chouinard et al. (2005)
China
 
  • Anhui
    • Tongling
      • Shizishan ore field
Yunsheng Ren et al. (2005)
Hongyang Li et al. (2010)
      • Tongguanshan ore field
Junwu Lu and Yuanfa Xia (2001)
  • Guizhou
    • Guiyang
      • Qingzhen County
El Gorsey et al. (1988)
  • Hubei
    • Yichang
      • Yiling District
Dong et al. (2013)
  • Jiangxi
    • Jiujiang
      • Ruichang Co.
Zhongling Wang (1987)
  • Qinghai
    • Hainan
Fu et al. (2016)
    • Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
      • Da Qaidam (Dachaidan Co.)
        • Xitieshan
Feng et al. (2022)
Costa Rica
 
  • Alajuela Province
    • Sarchí Canton
Rodríguez et al. (2017)
Czech Republic
 
  • Karlovy Vary Region
    • Sokolov District
Beran +3 other references
Ethiopia
 
  • Oromia Region
    • Megado
Cook et al. (2000)
Europe
 
ATANASSOVA +1 other reference
Finland
 
  • Lapland
    • Kittilä
Paakkola
France
 
  • Brittany
    • Morbihan
      • Pontivy
        • Guern
R. Pierrot
  • Corsica
    • Haute-Corse
      • Corte
        • Matra
Picot et al. (1977)
  • Nouvelle-Aquitaine
    • Corrèze
      • Ussel
        • Davignac
Deliens et al. (2004)
    • Deux-Sèvres
      • Bressuire
        • Mauléon
          • La Chapelle-Largeau
Lièvre et al. (2002)
Gabon
 
  • Haut-Ogooué Province
    • Léboumbi-Leyou Department
      • Mounana
Lheur et al. (2001)
Germany
 
  • Rhineland-Palatinate
    • Donnersbergkreis
      • Nordpfälzer Land
        • Obermoschel
Krupp (1989)
Greece
 
  • South Aegean
    • Milos
      • Milos Island
Kotopoulou et al. (2022)
Hungary
 
  • Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County
    • Kazincbarcika District
  • Heves County
    • Pétervására District
      • Recsk
Mecsek-Oko
Italy
 
  • Apulia
    • Taranto Province
Garavelli et al. (1971) +1 other reference
  • Piedmont
    • Metropolitan City of Turin
      • Balangero
Piccoli et al. (2007)
  • Tuscany
    • Grosseto Province
      • Scansano
Brizzi G. & Meli R. (1995)
  • Veneto
Bertolin et al. (1995)
Japan
 
  • Akita Prefecture
    • Odate
Mineralogical Society of America - ...
  • Iwate Prefecture
    • Oshu City
      • Esashi ward
Mineralogical Society of America - ...
Middle East
 
Gross (1977)
North Macedonia
 
  • Lipkovo Municipality
Radusinovic (1966)
Philippines
 
  • Luzon
    • Calabarzon Region
      • Batangas Province
        • Mt. Makiling
Oles et al. (1998)
Poland
 
  • Lower Silesian Voivodeship
    • Dzierżoniów County
      • Piława Górna
Dulski et al. (2025)
  • Podlaskie Voivodeship
    • Suwałki County
      • Suwałki Massif
Kucha H. et al. (1979)
Romania
 
  • Hunedoara County
    • Certeju de Sus
Dincă et al. (2025)
Russia
 
  • Altai Krai
    • Shipunovsky District
Rudmin et al. (2022)
  • Bashkortostan
    • Uchalinsky District
Belogub et al. (2008)
  • Buryatia
    • Baunt District
      • Vitim Plateau
        • Khiagda ore field
Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data (2011)
  • Chelyabinsk Oblast
    • Kaslinsky District
      • Kasli
Safina et al. (2015)
  • Krasnodar Krai
    • Taman Peninsula
      • Anapa
Chang et al. (2014)
  • Primorsky Krai
    • Krasnoarmeysky District
      • Arminsky ore district
Gonevchuk et al. (2005)
  • Sverdlovsk Oblast
    • Karpinsk Urban Okrug
Sharygin et al. (2014)
    • Serovsky District
      • Turya river
        • Tur'insk
American Mineralogist +2 other references
Slovakia
 
  • Košice Region
    • Rožňava District
Koděra et al. (1986)
  • Prešov Region
    • Prešov District
      • Červenica
Duda
      • Zlatá Baňa
Duda et. all.
    • Vranov nad Topľou District
      • Vechec
Ďuďa
South Africa
 
  • Mpumalanga
    • Ehlanzeni District Municipality
      • Mbombela Local Municipality
Cairncross et al. (1995)
  • North West
    • Bojanala Platinum District Municipality
      • Rustenburg Local Municipality
        • Rustenburg
Junge et al. (2014)
Switzerland
 
  • Valais
    • Goms
      • Binn
        • Fäld
Stalder et al. (1998)
Taiwan
 
Huang et al. (2024)
UK
 
  • England
    • Cornwall
      • St Endellion
Mineralogical Society of America - ... +1 other reference
Ukraine
 
  • Crimea
Geologiya SSSR (The geology of USSR)
USA
 
  • California
    • Alpine County
      • Monitor - Mogul Mining District
        • Leviathan Peak
Committee et al. (1989)
    • Fresno County
      • Wright Mountain
ID by Dr. Travis Olds
    • Humboldt County
Mineralogical Society of America - ...
    • Kern County
www.mineralsocal.org (1999)
U.S. Borax
Wise et al. (1988) +1 other reference
          • West Baker
Am Min 49:543-555
    • San Bernardino County
      • East Kramer Mining District
        • East Kramer Borate area (East Kramer Colemanite area)
          • Kramer Junction (Beecher's Corners; Beechers Corners; Four Corners)
Skinner et al. (1964)
  • Michigan
    • Alger County
Dell (1972)
  • Missouri
    • Madison County
Sherwood et al. (1998)
  • Nevada
    • Churchill County
      • Cottonwood Canyon
        • Bolivia
Castor et al. (2004)
  • New Mexico
    • Eddy County
      • Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Northrop et al. (1996)
Mars
 
  • Syrtis Major quadrangle
Joel A. Hurowitz et al. (Texas)
 
and/or  
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