Nickelskutterudite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Nickelskutterudite
Formula:
NiAs3
Also given as NiAs2-3.
Often contains Co and Fe replacing Ni.
Often contains Co and Fe replacing Ni.
Colour:
Tin white - silver grey
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
5½ - 6
Specific Gravity:
6.5
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
As the nickel member of skutterudite series. Some earlier publications wrote the name with a hyphen (nickel-skutterudite), but the hyphen was removed by the IMA (2008).
Type Locality:
Skutterudite Group. Nickelskutterudite-Skutterudite Series.
The nickel analogue of Ferroskutterudite and Skutterudite.
The nickel analogue of Ferroskutterudite and Skutterudite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2897
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2897:0
IMA Classification of Nickelskutterudite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA status notes:
Renamed by the IMA
Approval history:
Chemical formula revised by IMA Jan 2017.
Classification of Nickelskutterudite
2.EC.05
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
C : M:S = 1:>2
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
C : M:S = 1:>2
2.12.17.2
2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
3.11.30
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Nskt | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Nis | 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 Nickelskutterudite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Tin white - silver grey
Comment:
Tarnising gray to iridescent
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
5½ - 6 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct on {001}{111}, traces on {011}
Distinct on {001}{111}, traces on {011}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
6.5 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.97(90) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Nickelskutterudite
Type:
Isotropic
Anisotropism:
Weak to distict
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) |
|---|---|
| 400nm | 52.0% |
| 420nm | 52.5% |
| 440nm | 53.3% |
| 460nm | 53.8% |
| 480nm | 54.5% |
| 500nm | 55.0% |
| 520nm | 55.3% |
| 540nm | 55.4% |
| 560nm | 55.3% |
| 580nm | 55.1% |
| 600nm | 54.7% |
| 620nm | 54.3% |
| 640nm | 53.9% |
| 660nm | 53.4% |
| 680nm | 52.8% |
| 700nm | 52.5% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 55.4%.
Colour in reflected light:
Light yellowish white, anisotropic zones reddish
Chemistry of Nickelskutterudite
Mindat Formula:
NiAs3
Also given as NiAs2-3.
Often contains Co and Fe replacing Ni.
Also given as NiAs2-3.
Often contains Co and Fe replacing Ni.
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Fe,Bi,S
Crystallography of Nickelskutterudite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3(2/m3) - Diploidal
Space Group:
Im3
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.2653(6) Å
Unit Cell V:
564.65 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Cubes, octahedra and dodecahedra.
Twinning:
On {112} as sixlings
Comment:
Space group Im-3. Also given: 8.17 Å.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.61 Å | (100) |
| 1.841 Å | (90) |
| 1.616 Å | (90) |
| 2.20 Å | (80) |
| 1.681 Å | (70) |
| 1.410 Å | (70) |
| 1.213 Å | (70) |
Comments:
Timiskaming mine, Ontario, Canada.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? 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 | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 38 : Ophiolites |
Type Occurrence of Nickelskutterudite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Synonyms of Nickelskutterudite
Other Language Names for Nickelskutterudite
Dutch:Nickelskutterudiet
German:Nickelskutterudit
Nickel-Skutterudit
Ni-Skutterudit
Ni Skutterudit
Stängelkobalt
Weißnickelkies (in part)
Nickel-Skutterudit
Ni-Skutterudit
Ni Skutterudit
Stängelkobalt
Weißnickelkies (in part)
Russian:Никельскуттерудит
Simplified Chinese:镍砷钴矿
Relationship of Nickelskutterudite to other Species
Other Members of Skutterudite Subgroup:
| Ferroskutterudite | FeAs3 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Im3m |
| Kieftite | CoSb3 | Iso. m3(2/m3) : Im3 |
| Skutterudite | CoAs3 | Iso. m3(2/m3) : Im3 |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 310 photos of Nickelskutterudite associated with Rammelsbergite | NiAs2 |
| 229 photos of Nickelskutterudite associated with Nickeline | NiAs |
| 146 photos of Nickelskutterudite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 130 photos of Nickelskutterudite associated with Native Bismuth | Bi |
| 107 photos of Nickelskutterudite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 73 photos of Nickelskutterudite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 59 photos of Nickelskutterudite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 52 photos of Nickelskutterudite associated with Native Silver | Ag |
| 43 photos of Nickelskutterudite associated with Bismuthinite | Bi2S3 |
| 41 photos of Nickelskutterudite associated with Native Arsenic | As |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.EC.05 | Skutterudite | CoAs3 |
| 2.EC.05 | Kieftite | CoSb3 |
| 2.EC.05 | Ferroskutterudite | FeAs3 |
| 2.EC.10 | Patrónite | VS4 |
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 Nickelskutterudite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2897.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Nickelskutterudite
Reference List:
Holmes, Ralph J. (1942) Relationships of the Higher Arsenides of Cobalt, Nickel and Iron Occurring in Nature. Science, 96 (2482). p.90-92. doi:10.1126/science.96.2482.90
Holmes, Ralph Jerome (1947) Higher mineral arsenides of cobalt, nickel, and iron. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 58 (4). p.299-392. doi:10.1130/0016-7606(1947)58[299:hmaocn]2.0.co;2
Roseboom, Eugene H. (1962) Skutterudites (Co, Ni, Fe)As3-x; composition and cell dimensions. American Mineralogist, 47 (3-4) 310-327
Burke, Ernst A. J. (2008) Tidying up mineral names: an IMA-CNMNC scheme for suffixes, hyphens and diacritical marks. The Mineralogical Record, 39 (2) 131-135
Localities for Nickelskutterudite
Showing 232 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.
Argentina | |
| De Brodtkorb (2009) |
| Schalamuk et al. (1994) | |
Australia | |
| Steve Sorrell Collection |
| Munro-Smith (2006) |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
| Kitto |
Austria | |
| Meixner (1968) |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| www.vstm.at (2004) |
| Friedrich (1933) |
| Pribitzer (1956) +2 other references | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2017) |
| Schreieck et al. (2026) |
Canada | |
| Mauthner et al. (1996) |
| Sabina (2003) |
| Tyson (1989) |
| Lang (1952) |
| John Sobalesky Collection |
| Dr. Günter Grundmann collection |
| Ramdohr (1969) | |
| Sabina (1974) | |
| Sixteenth Annual Report of The Bureau ... +3 other references | |
| Traill (1983) | |
| Petruk et al. (1971) | |
| Sixteenth Annual Report of The Bureau ... +2 other references | |
| Traill (1983) +1 other reference | |
| Burrows (1922) |
| Ontario Department of Mines |
| Sabina (1974) | |
| Smith (2021) |
China | |
| Chen et al. (2024) |
Czech Republic | |
| Škácha et al. (2021) |
| Kohout et al. (1995) |
| Poirier et al. (2011) |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) | |
| 70 (in German) +1 other reference |
| Beran (Ag, Au, Co) +2 other references |
| Fengl (1.) |
| Sejkora et al. (2007) |
| Pauliš P. Nejzajímavější ... |
| Gramblička (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Hyrsl et al. (2009) | |
| Sejkora (1994) |
France | |
| Lacroix (1897) |
| Bari (1982) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) | |
| De Bondt (n.d.) | |
| De Bondt (n.d.) | |
| De Bondt (n.d.) | |
| |
| This mine worked the same vein as Gabe ... +3 other references | |
| Kolitsch (1997) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Munoz et al. (1982) |
| R. Pierrot |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1980) +1 other reference |
| Can. Mineral. 45 |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) | |
| Baumann et al. (03/2021) | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Dill et al. (2010) |
| 58. +2 other references |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Wagner et al. (2002) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Gerstenberg (n.d.) |
| Weiß (1990) | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1991) | |
| Gröbner (2007) |
| |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| Anthony et al. (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Heidtke (2001) |
| |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Siemroth et al. (1999) |
| Jahn et al. (2000) |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| Nickerl et al. (2000) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Stolze et al. (09/2020) |
| Richard Dale Collection |
| P. Andresen collection | |
| Wendell Minerals specimen (Munich Show 2007) | |
| King (n.d.) | |
| www.mineralienatlas.de (2011) |
| Leon Hupperichs collection | |
| Gröbner et al. (2007) |
| Peter Haas collection +1 other reference | |
| Martin et al. (1994) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Schnorrer (1995) +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| www.dergraul.de (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) | |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) | |
| Massanek et al. (2005) | |
| John R. Ydren collection | |
| Massanek et al. (2005) | |
| Massanek et al. (2005) | |
| Gerstenberg (n.d.) | |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| Gröbner et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Lapis (2008) |
| Haake et al. (1994) | |
| St. Michalski collection - checked by ... |
| Frenzel (1874) |
| - (1986) | |
| Frenzel (1874) | |
| 90. +1 other reference |
| Gerstenberg (n.d.) |
| Gröbner et al. (2006) |
| Weiß et al. (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| M Adelt collection |
| Tröger (2012) |
| Dr. Günter Grundmann collection |
| Gröbner et al. (2007) +1 other reference | |
| Woidtke |
| Witzke et al. (1998) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| www.mineralienatlas.de (n.d.) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| https://www.mineralienatlas.de/?l=611 | |
| Gerstenberg (n.d.) |
| Gerstenberg (n.d.) |
Iran | |
| |
Italy | |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Dessau (1936) +1 other reference |
| - (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Giovanni Scapin Collection | |
| - (n.d.) +1 other reference | |
| - (n.d.) | |
Japan | |
| Shima et al. (1980) +1 other reference |
| Kinoshita (1961) |
Morocco | |
| Jahn et al. (2003) |
| Jahn et al. (2003) | |
| Jahn et al. (2003) |
| Zaid et al. (2025) |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Favreau et al. (2006) | |
| Fabre (n.d.) | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
Poland | |
| Lis et al. (1986) |
| Mochnacka et al. (2012) | |
| Pieczka et al. (1988) |
| Hoehne (1936) +1 other reference | |
| Ramdohr (1950) | |
| Piestrzyński (Main Ed.) | |
| Piestrzyński et al. (2012) | |
| Lis et al. (1986) |
| Madziarz (2006) |
| Muszer et al. (2006) +1 other reference | |
Portugal | |
| Marques de Sá et al. (2010) |
| |
Romania | |
| HÎRTOPANU et al. (2025) |
Russia | |
| Pekov I.V. et al. (2010) |
| Galuskin (2007) |
| Bortnikova et al. (2017) |
| Goryachev et al. (2014) |
| USGS Open File Report 2005-1252 p173ff +1 other reference |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
| Pauliš | |
| Pauliš et al. (2002) |
| Háber et al. (SGR) |
| Koděra et al. (1986) | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
| Koděra et al. (1986) | |
| Halahyjová-Andrusovová G. et al. (in Slovak) |
| Grecula (1995) | |
| Halahyjová-Andrusovová G. et al. (in Slovak) | |
| Halahyjová-Andrusovová G. et al. (in Slovak) | |
| Pauliš et al. (2002) | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
| Ďuda et al. (1996) +1 other reference | |
| Ozdín et al. (1999) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1992) +1 other reference |
South Korea | |
| Nakamura (1943) |
Spain | |
| Rewitzer et al. (2020) |
| García et al. (2003) |
| Romero Silva (2003) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2018) |
| Castillo-Oliver et al. (2019) |
| Parviainen et al. (2008) |
Sweden | |
| |
| |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Gregor (1818) +1 other reference |
| 39-40 +1 other reference |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Ixer et al. (1987) |
| [Sample in the collection of the ... |
USA | |
| Bastin (1922) +2 other references |
| Gray (2005) |
| Wilson et al. (1992) |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) | |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) |
| Quigley |
| - (2005) +1 other reference |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Palache (1935) |
| [Rocks & Minerals Vol 68 March/April ... |
| M Massis collection +1 other reference | |
| - (2005) | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Hammarstrom et al. (2005) |
| Valentine et al. (1960) +3 other references |
Zimbabwe | |
| Rocks & Min.: 23:422 +2 other references |
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Burgk quarry, Schleiz, Saale-Orla District, Thuringia, Germany