Orickite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Orickite
Orick, California, USA
Formula:
2CuFeS2 · H2O
Contains small amounts of Na, K and O.
Colour:
Brass yellow
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
4.212 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named by R.C. Erd and G.K. Czamanske in 1983 for the town of Orick, California, near the type locality.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Orickite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3016
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3016:4
Similar Names
| Borickite | A synonym of 'Bořickýite' |
IMA Classification of Orickite
Approved
IMA Formula:
CuFeS2·nH2O
Approval year:
1978
First published:
1983
Classification of Orickite
2.FB.15
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
F : Sulfides of arsenic, alkalies; sulfides with halide, oxide, hydroxide, H2O
B : With alkalies (without Cl, etc.)
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
F : Sulfides of arsenic, alkalies; sulfides with halide, oxide, hydroxide, H2O
B : With alkalies (without Cl, etc.)
2.14.7.1
2 : SULFIDES
14 : Hydroxysulfides and Hydrated Sulfides
2 : SULFIDES
14 : Hydroxysulfides and Hydrated Sulfides
3.1.32
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
1 : Sulphides etc. of Cu
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
1 : Sulphides etc. of Cu
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Ori | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Orickite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Brass yellow
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on {100}
Good on {100}
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
4.212 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Orickite
Anisotropism:
Strong, grayish brown to grayish blue
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) |
|---|---|
| 470nm | 34.7% |
| 546nm | 39.9% |
| 589nm | 42.8% |
| 650nm | 46.9% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 46.9%.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Pale yellow to slightly deeper yellow
Chemistry of Orickite
Mindat Formula:
2CuFeS2 · H2O
Contains small amounts of Na, K and O.
Contains small amounts of Na, K and O.
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Na,K
Crystallography of Orickite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.695(1) Å, c = 6.16(1) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.667
Unit Cell V:
72.84 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.20 Å | (90) |
| 3.08 Å | (100) |
| 2.84 Å | (60) |
| 2.20 Å | (20) |
| 1.85 Å | (70) |
| 1.73 Å | (55) |
| 1.583 Å | (30) |
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 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Orickite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small laths of approximately 15 x 150 µm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 15033.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Mafic alkalic diatreme.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Orickite
Other Language Names for Orickite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Orickite associated with Pyrrhotite | Fe1-xS |
| 3 photos of Orickite associated with Phlogopite | KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Orickite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
| 3 photos of Orickite associated with Coyoteite | NaFe3S5 · 2H2O |
| 3 photos of Orickite associated with Nepheline | Na3K(Al4Si4O16) |
| 1 photo of Orickite associated with Schorlomite | Ca3Ti2(SiO4)(Fe3+O4)2 |
| 1 photo of Orickite associated with Erdite | NaFeS2 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.FB.05 | Schöllhornite | Na0.3CrS2 · H2O |
| 2.FB.05 | Caswellsilverite | NaCrS2 |
| 2.FB.05 | Cronusite | Ca0.2CrS2 · 2 H2O |
| 2.FB.10 | Chvilevaite | Na(Cu,Fe,Zn)2S4 |
| 2.FB.20 | Rasvumite | KFe2S3 |
| 2.FB.20 | Pautovite | CsFe2S3 |
| 2.FB.25 | Colimaite | K3VS4 |
Other Information
Notes:
Weakly magnetic.
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 Orickite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3016.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 Orickite
Localities for Orickite
Showing 9 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.
Brazil | |
| Nascimento et al. (2026) |
Chile | |
| Färber et al. (1998) |
Germany | |
| King (n.d.) |
| Boutry Collection |
Iceland | |
| Huene (2023) |
Italy | |
| - (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Portugal | |
| Marques de Sá et al. (2010) |
Russia | |
| PEKOV et al. (2013) |
USA (TL) | |
| Erd et al. (1983) +3 other references |
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Bad Schlema, Aue-Bad Schlema, Erzgebirgskreis, Saxony, Germany