Merenskyite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Merenskyite
Hans Merensky
Formula:
PdTe2
Pd may be replaced by Pt, Te by Bi.
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
8.547 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
For Hans Merensky (16 March 1871, Botshabelo, South Africa – 21 October 1952, Duiwelskloof, South Africa), geologist, prospector, scientist, conservationist and philanthropist. He is credited with having discovered a rich deposit of alluvial diamonds, vast platinum reefs and the world's biggest chrome deposit.
Melonite-Merenskyite Series.
Forms a solid solution with michenerite, PdBiTe.
One of many Pd-Te species, that also include, e.g., 'UM1976-33-Te:Pd', kotulskite, keithconnite, telluropalladinite and 'Unnamed (Pd Telluride)'; compare also 'UM1974-20-Te:BiPdSb'.
Forms a solid solution with michenerite, PdBiTe.
One of many Pd-Te species, that also include, e.g., 'UM1976-33-Te:Pd', kotulskite, keithconnite, telluropalladinite and 'Unnamed (Pd Telluride)'; compare also 'UM1974-20-Te:BiPdSb'.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2650
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2650:1
IMA Classification of Merenskyite
Approved
Approval year:
1965
First published:
1966
Classification of Merenskyite
2.EA.20
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
A : M:S = 1:2 - With Cu, Ag, Au
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
A : M:S = 1:2 - With Cu, Ag, Au
2.12.14.4
2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
3.12.23
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
12 : Sulphides etc. of the platinum metals
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
12 : Sulphides etc. of the platinum metals
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Mrk | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Mrk | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Merenskyite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
White
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN10=82 - 128 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Density:
8.547 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Merenskyite
Anisotropism:
Distinct to strong, from dark brown to light greenish gray
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 420nm | 63.6% | 65.0% |
| 400nm | 63.5% | 65.2% |
| 460nm | 62.5% | 64.7% |
| 480nm | 62.3% | 64.6% |
| 500nm | 62.3% | 64.8% |
| 520nm | 62.4% | 65.4% |
| 540nm | 62.8% | 66.0% |
| 560nm | 63.3% | 66.7% |
| 580nm | 63.1% | 67.2% |
| 600nm | 63.5% | 68.0% |
| 620nm | 64.8% | 69.1% |
| 640nm | 65.2% | 69.7% |
| 660nm | 65.7% | 71.0% |
| 680nm | 67.7% | 73.0% |
| 700nm | 66.8% | 73.0% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 73.0%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
White
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
White to grayish white in air, more distinct in oil.
Chemistry of Merenskyite
Mindat Formula:
PdTe2
Pd may be replaced by Pt, Te by Bi.
Pd may be replaced by Pt, Te by Bi.
Elements listed:
Chemical Analysis
wt%
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| Ni | 5.9 % |
| Pd | 18.3 % |
| Pt | 0.37 % |
| Te | 65.6 % |
| Bi | 10.8 % |
| Total: | 100.97 % |
Empirical formulas:
| Sample ID | Empirical Formula |
|---|---|
| 1 | (Pd0.65,Ni0.35Pt0.01)0.97(Te1.82Bi0.18)2.00 |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Werner Lake Mine, Werner Lake Area, Kenora District, Ontario, Canada | EMPA analysis of minute grains in massive sulphide drill cores |
Crystallography of Merenskyite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P3m1
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.978(1) Å, c = 5.125(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.288
Unit Cell V:
70.24 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Minute 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0011794 | Merenskyite | Wyckoff R W G (1963) Second edition. Interscience Publishers, New York, New York Crystal Structures 1 239-444 | 1963 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.92 Å | (100) |
| 2.10 Å | (60) |
| 3.07 Å | (30) |
| 2.02 Å | (30) |
| 1.67 Å | (30) |
| 1.54 Å | (30) |
| 2.51 Å | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 7 : Ultramafic igneous rocks | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 37 : Layered igneous intrusions and related PGE minerals |
Type Occurrence of Merenskyite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Microscopic grains.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type specimen.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Ultramafic intrusive.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Merenskyite
Other Language Names for Merenskyite
Relationship of Merenskyite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Melonite Group:
| Berndtite | SnS2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1 |
| Kitkaite | NiTeSe | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1 |
| Melonite | NiTe2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1 |
| Moncheite | Pt(Te,Bi)2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1 |
| Shuangfengite | IrTe2 | Trig. 3m : P3m1 |
| Sudovikovite | PtSe2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1 |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Merenskyite associated with Pentlandite | (NixFey)Σ9S8 |
| 1 photo of Merenskyite associated with Pyrrhotite | Fe1-xS |
| 1 photo of Merenskyite associated with Michenerite | PdBiTe |
| 1 photo of Merenskyite associated with Sperrylite | PtAs2 |
| 1 photo of Merenskyite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 1 photo of Merenskyite associated with Pyroxene Group | ADSi2O6 |
| 1 photo of Merenskyite associated with Clausthalite | PbSe |
| 1 photo of Merenskyite associated with Eucairite | AgCuSe |
| 1 photo of Merenskyite associated with Eskebornite | CuFeSe2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.EA. | Radvaniceite | GeS2 |
| 2.EA. | Zavyalovite | Ag2TeS3 |
| 2.EA.05 | Sylvanite | AgAuTe4 |
| 2.EA.10 | Calaverite | AuTe2 |
| 2.EA.15 | Kostovite | CuAuTe4 |
| 2.EA.15 | Krennerite | Au3AgTe8 |
| 2.EA.20 | Melonite | NiTe2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Ognitite | NiBiTe |
| 2.EA.20 | Shuangfengite | IrTe2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Berndtite | SnS2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Sudovikovite | PtSe2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Kitkaite | NiTeSe |
| 2.EA.20 | Moncheite | Pt(Te,Bi)2 |
| 2.EA.25 | Verbeekite | PdSe2 |
| 2.EA.30 | Drysdallite | MoSe2 |
| 2.EA.30 | Jordisite | MoS2 |
| 2.EA.30 | Molybdenite | MoS2 |
| 2.EA.30 | Tungstenite | WS2 |
| 2.EA.40 | Pampaloite | AuSbTe |
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.
Internet Links for Merenskyite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2650.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Merenskyite
Reference List:
Kjekshus, Arne, Grønvold, Fredrik, Jørgensen, Peer Møller, Refn, Susanne (1959) High Temperature X-Ray Study of the Thermal Expansion of PtS2, PtSe2, PtTe2 and PdTe2. Acta Chemica Scandinavica, 13. 1767-1774 doi:10.3891/acta.chem.scand.13-1767(synth.)
Kingston, G. A. (1966) The occurrence of platinoid bismuthotellurides in the Merensky Reef at Rustenburg platinum mine in the western Bushveld. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 35 (274) 815-834 doi:10.1180/minmag.1966.035.274.03
Hoffman, E. L., MacLean, W. H. (1976) Phase relations of michenerite and merenskyite in the Pd-Bi-Te system. Economic Geology, 71 (7) 1461-1468 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.71.7.1461
Nickel, Ernest H., Mandarino, Joseph A. (1987) Procedures involving the IMA Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names and guidelines on mineral nomenclature. American Mineralogist, 72 (9-10) 1031-1042
Localities for Merenskyite
Showing 228 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.
Antarctica | |
| Egorov et al. (2015) |
Argentina | |
| Paar et al. (2004) +2 other references |
| FERRACUTTI +5 other references |
Armenia | |
| Bowell et al. (2021) |
Australia | |
| Singer et al. (2008) |
| G.W.Cochrane 1982. Copper |
| Hudson (1986) |
| Mineral. Deposita 42 (2007) +1 other reference |
Austria | |
| Schwabl et al. (2015) +3 other references |
Botswana | |
| Maier et al. (2008) |
Brazil | |
| - (2014) +4 other references |
| 33rd International Geological Congress (2008) |
| de Almeida et al. (2007) |
| Campo Rodriguez et al. (2024) |
Bulgaria | |
| Stribrny et al. (2000) +4 other references |
Canada | |
| Manor |
| Hulbert et al. (1998) |
| Olivo et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
| Chen +3 other references |
| Campos-Alvarez et al. (2012) |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Péntek et al. (2013) |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Chen +3 other references | |
| Robert C. Smith |
| Ames et al. (2003) | |
| Ames et al. (2003) | |
| Vale SA | |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Ames et al. (2003) | |
| Ames et al. (2003) +2 other references | |
| Ames et al. (2003) +1 other reference | |
| Kjarsgaard et al. (2010, June) +1 other reference | |
| R. C. Smith | |
| Rucklidge (1969) +1 other reference | |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Kjarsgaard et al. (2010, June) | |
| Ames et al. (2003) | |
| Econ Geol (1986) +3 other references |
| Ames et al. (2007) +5 other references |
| Péntek et al. (2013) | |
| Kjarsgaard et al. (2010, June) | |
| Can Mineral 1984 22: 13-21 |
| Johnson (2005) | |
| Rucklidge (1969) |
| Cabri et al. (1973) +1 other reference |
| 157-158. +1 other reference |
| Mulja & Mitchell (1990) |
| McDonald et al. (2015) | |
| Caglioti (2023) | |
| Watkinson et al. (1978) |
| Louis J. Cabri and J.H. Gilles Laflamme (1979) +2 other references |
| Watkinson et al. (1979) +1 other reference | |
| 5th International Platinum Symposium ... +1 other reference |
| Wilson et al. (2013) |
| Mulja et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
| Good et al. (2017) | |
| CM 30 +2 other references |
| Smith (2021) |
| Smith (2021) | |
| 5th International Platinum Symposium ... |
| Dillon-Leitch (1990) |
| Econ Geol (1986) | |
| Glencore plc | |
| Seabrook et al. (2004) | |
| petrology +1 other reference | |
| petrology +1 other reference |
| Liu et al. (2016) | |
| Liu et al. (2016) | |
| 5th International Platinum Symposium ... +2 other references |
Chile | |
| Anglo American plc |
China | |
| Yang +7 other references |
| Youbin Liang (1981) |
| Chen Keqiao et al. (1981) | |
| Zongyao et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
| Xiangwen Wang (2002) |
| XU et al. (2015) |
| Hangxin Cheng et al. (2007) |
| |
| Yao et al. (2003) +1 other reference |
| Yao et al. (2003) |
| Minqing Cheng et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Bilun Luo (1979) +2 other references |
Czech Republic | |
| Johan (1989) +2 other references |
| Sandmann et al. (2015) |
DR Congo | |
| ... |
| ... |
Egypt | |
| Helmy et al. (2001) |
| Helmy (2005) | |
| Helmy et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
Finland | |
| Gustafsson et al. (2019) |
| Kojonen et al. (eds) | |
| Alapieti et al. (1986) |
| 5th International Platinum Symposium ... +2 other references | |
| Andersen et al. (2006) |
| Guice et al. (2017) |
| Gervilla et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
| Gervilla et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
| Geological Survey of Finland 2008 ... +1 other reference | |
| Fröhlich et al. (2017) +3 other references |
| GEOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUKSEN ... |
| Karinen |
Germany | |
| Sandmann et al. (2015) |
Greece | |
| M. Tarkian et al. (1991) +4 other references |
| Tsikouras et al. (2016) |
Greenland | |
| Holwell et al. (2015) |
Guinea | |
| Augé et al. (2018) |
India | |
| Devaraju et al. (2014, January) +1 other reference |
| Devaraju et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Dora et al. (2014) |
| Canadian Mineralogist 40:277-309 |
Italy | |
| - (n.d.) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Econ Geol (1986) +1 other reference |
| Econ Geol (1986) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
Ivory Coast | |
| Gouedji et al. (2014) |
Morocco | |
| El Ghorfi et al. (2006) |
North Macedonia | |
| Petrunov et al. (2001) |
Norway | |
| Larsen et al. (2018) |
| Neumann (1985) +1 other reference |
| Nilsson et al. (1998) | |
Pakistan | |
| Kausar (1998) |
Papua New Guinea | |
| BHP |
Philippines | |
| Piestrzyński et al. (1994) +2 other references |
Poland | |
| Nejbert (2008) |
Russia | |
| Amur Minerals Corporation |
| Orsoev (2019) |
| Orsoev (2019) | |
| Plotinskaya et al. (2018) |
| Rakhimov et al. (2021) |
| Shvedov et al. (2017) +1 other reference |
| Kolotilina et al. (2025) | |
| Sidorov et al. (2017, August) |
| Palyanova et al. (2023) |
| - (2016) +1 other reference |
| Alexander V. Dedeev et al (2002) +2 other references |
| Genkin et al. (1986) |
| Sluzhenikin et al. (2014) +2 other references |
| 2014 Ultramafic-mafic intrusions | |
| Shvedov et al. (2015) |
| Gabov (2010) |
| 33rd International Geological Congress (2008) | |
| Groshev +7 other references | |
| Groshev +7 other references | |
| Groshev +7 other references | |
| 33rd International Geological Congress (2008) | |
| Groshev +7 other references | |
| www.duke.edu (2003) | |
| Grokhovskaya et al. (2009) | |
| Barkov et al. (2022) | |
| Yury L. Voytekhovsky (2008) | |
| Chashchin et al. (2021) | |
| Orsoev et al. (1982) +2 other references |
| Chashchin et al. (2023) | |
| 33 IGC excursion No 48 +1 other reference | |
| www4.geology.utoronto.ca (n.d.) | |
| Chashchin et al. (2013) | |
| Lobanova et al. (2021) +1 other reference | |
| Abzalov et al. (1997) | |
| Chashchin et al. (2013) | |
| Shaybekov et al. (2021) |
| Grokhovskaya et al. (2005) |
| Grishaenko et al. (2007) | |
| - (2014) |
| Barkov et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Barkov et al. (1996) +2 other references | |
| Лавров (2013) +1 other reference |
| Голубев et al. (2008) |
| Коневин et al. (2020) |
| Коневин et al. (2020) | |
| Kondratieva et al. (2021) +3 other references |
| Stepanov et al. (2023) |
| Mikhailov et al. (2021) |
| Stepanov et al. (2023) |
| Mikhailov et al. (2021) | |
| Kuzhuget et al. (2023) |
| Singer et al. (2008) | |
| Vikentyev et al. (2023) |
| Murzin et al. (2022) |
| Vikentyev et al. (2023) |
| Shaibekov et al. (2024) | |
| Seltmann et al. (2010) |
Serbia | |
| RTB Bor |
Sierra Leone | |
| Stenhouse et al. (2016) |
South Africa | |
| Maier et al. (2023) |
| McFall et al. (2019) |
| Manyeruke (2007) | |
| McCreesh et al. (2018) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
| Montjoie (2018) | |
| Hutchinson et al. (2005) |
| Van der Merwe (2011) +2 other references | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Holwell et al. (2006) +1 other reference | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
| Manyeruke (2007) | |
| Hutchinson et al. (2005) | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| www.minsoc.org.za (2005) |
| Theart et al. (2001) +1 other reference | |
| Kingston (1966) +1 other reference |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Anglo American plc | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
Spain | |
| Ortega et al. (2004) +3 other references |
Sweden | |
| |
| |
| Adelmann et al. (2022) |
UK | |
| McKervey et al. (2007) |
| McKervey et al. (2007) |
| Power et al. (2004) |
| Power et al. (2000) |
| Graham et al. (2017) |
USA | |
| Summerlin (2014) |
| Cabri et al. (1979) +1 other reference |
| Andersen et al. (2018) |
| Rocks & Minerals. Nov. 1999. |
| Aird et al. (2021) |
| 5th International Platinum Symposium ... |
| Loucks (1976) +2 other references |
Zimbabwe | |
| Wilson et al. (1990) +3 other references |
| Implats |
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Bunkerville Mining District, Virgin Mountains, Clark County, Nevada, USA