Kamacite
A variety of Native Iron
This page kindly sponsored by Mark Andrews
About Kamacite
Formula:
(Fe,Ni)
α-(Fe,Ni).
Colour:
Grey
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
4
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
From the Greek "kamask" meaning "shaft" or "lath".
A nickel-rich variety of iron; α-(Fe,Ni).
The principle constituent of a typical octahedrite meteorite with about 92% iron and 7% nickel.
Compare also taenite, γ-(Ni,Fe).
The principle constituent of a typical octahedrite meteorite with about 92% iron and 7% nickel.
Compare also taenite, γ-(Ni,Fe).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2143 (as Kamacite)
2047 (as Native Iron)
2047 (as Native Iron)
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2143:8 (as Kamacite)
mindat:1:1:2047:9 (as Native Iron)
mindat:1:1:2047:9 (as Native Iron)
Classification of Kamacite
Dana 7th ed.:
1.1.17.3
1.1.11.1
1 : NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS
1 : Metals, other than the Platinum Group
1 : NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS
1 : Metals, other than the Platinum Group
1.62
1 : Elements and Alloys (including the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au)
1 : Elements and Alloys (including the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au)
Physical Properties of Kamacite
Optical Data of Kamacite
Type:
Isotropic
Chemistry of Kamacite
Mindat Formula:
(Fe,Ni)
α-(Fe,Ni).
α-(Fe,Ni).
Element Weights:
| Element | % weight |
|---|---|
| Fe | 100.000 % |
Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Co,C,P,S
Crystallography of Kamacite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Cell Parameters:
a = 2.86 Å
Unit Cell V:
23.39 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Synonyms of Kamacite
Nickel-iron alloy (in part)
Other Language Names for Kamacite
Varieties of Kamacite
| Wickelkamazite | A name given to kamacite surrounding accessory constituents in meteoritic irons. |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 164 photos of Kamacite associated with Taenite | (Ni,Fe) |
| 75 photos of Kamacite associated with Troilite | FeS |
| 31 photos of Kamacite associated with 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series' | |
| 27 photos of Kamacite associated with Schreibersite | (Fe,Ni)3P |
| 26 photos of Kamacite associated with Native Iron | Fe |
| 22 photos of Kamacite associated with Forsterite | Mg2(SiO4) |
| 13 photos of Kamacite associated with 'Plessite' | |
| 11 photos of Kamacite associated with Daubréelite | Fe2+Cr3+2S4 |
| 11 photos of Kamacite associated with Plagioclase | (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8 |
| 11 photos of Kamacite associated with Enstatite | Mg2Si2O6 |
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.
Kamacite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Kamacite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2143.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Kamacite
Reference List:
Reed, S.J.B (1965) Election-probe microanalysis of the metallic phases in iron meteorites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 29 (5) 535-549 doi:10.1016/0016-7037(65)90045-1
Ramsden, A. R., Cameron, E. N. (1966) Kamacite and taenite superstructures and a metastable tetragonal phase in iron meteorites. American Mineralogist, 51 (1-2) 37-55
Localities for Kamacite
Showing 981 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Sikhote-Alin meteorite, Paseka, Krasnoarmeysky District, Primorsky Krai, Russia