Pentlandite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page kindly sponsored by Mark Kucera
About Pentlandite
Formula:
(NixFey)Σ9S8
x+y=9.
IMA formula is: (Ni,Fe)9S8.
Most samples are Ni-dominant, but some are Fe-dominant.
Typical analyses:
(Ni4.60Fe4.30Co0.17)Σ=9.07S8.00
(Ni4.16Fe3.63Co1.48)Σ=9.27S8.00
(Ni5.89Fe2.51Co0.53)Σ=8.93S8.00
(Fe4.80Ni4.12Co0.08)Σ=9S8
IMA formula is: (Ni,Fe)9S8.
Most samples are Ni-dominant, but some are Fe-dominant.
Typical analyses:
(Ni4.60Fe4.30Co0.17)Σ=9.07S8.00
(Ni4.16Fe3.63Co1.48)Σ=9.27S8.00
(Ni5.89Fe2.51Co0.53)Σ=8.93S8.00
(Fe4.80Ni4.12Co0.08)Σ=9S8
Colour:
Pale bronze-yellow; bronze; brown; reddish brown when argentian
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.6 - 5
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Joseph Barclay Pentland (17 January 1797, Ballybofey, Ireland - 12 July 1873), Irish naturalist, who discovered the mineral at Sudbury, Ontario.
Pentlandite Group. Cobaltpentlandite-Pentlandite Series.
Pentlandite is a rather pale brassy yellow metallic sulphide, one of the most important nickel ores, and a primary mineral in many ultramafic rocks. It is usually found associated, and commonly finely intergrown, with pyrrhotite, and rarely shows microscopically visible crystals. It is difficult to confirm visually but sometimes can be distinguished by its paler colour, octahedral cleavage, and non-magnetic nature.
Compare also the chemically similar mackinawite, godlevskite and horomanite; 'UM1981-13-S:CoFeNiRh' and 'UM1989-25-S:FeNi'.
Pentlandite is a rather pale brassy yellow metallic sulphide, one of the most important nickel ores, and a primary mineral in many ultramafic rocks. It is usually found associated, and commonly finely intergrown, with pyrrhotite, and rarely shows microscopically visible crystals. It is difficult to confirm visually but sometimes can be distinguished by its paler colour, octahedral cleavage, and non-magnetic nature.
Compare also the chemically similar mackinawite, godlevskite and horomanite; 'UM1981-13-S:CoFeNiRh' and 'UM1989-25-S:FeNi'.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3155
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3155:0
IMA Classification of Pentlandite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(Ni,Fe)9S8
Classification of Pentlandite
2.BB.15
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
B : With Ni
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
B : Metal Sulfides, M: S > 1: 1 (mainly 2: 1)
B : With Ni
2.7.1.1
2 : SULFIDES
7 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 9:8
2 : SULFIDES
7 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 9:8
3.11.9
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pn | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Pn | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
| Pn | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
| Pn | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
Physical Properties of Pentlandite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Pale bronze-yellow; bronze; brown; reddish brown when argentian
Streak:
Pale bronze-brown
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=268 - 285 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Parting:
On {111}.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
4.6 - 5 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.956 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Pentlandite
Type:
Isotropic
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) |
|---|---|
| 400nm | 32.8% |
| 420nm | 35.1% |
| 440nm | 37.1% |
| 460nm | 39.2% |
| 480nm | 41.1% |
| 500nm | 42.9% |
| 520nm | 44.5% |
| 540nm | 46.1% |
| 560nm | 47.6% |
| 580nm | 48.5% |
| 600nm | 49.6% |
| 620nm | 50.7% |
| 640nm | 51.8% |
| 660nm | 52.7% |
| 680nm | 53.4% |
| 700nm | 54.2% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 54.2%.
Chemistry of Pentlandite
Mindat Formula:
(NixFey)Σ9S8
x+y=9.
IMA formula is: (Ni,Fe)9S8.
Most samples are Ni-dominant, but some are Fe-dominant.
Typical analyses:
(Ni4.60Fe4.30Co0.17)Σ=9.07S8.00
(Ni4.16Fe3.63Co1.48)Σ=9.27S8.00
(Ni5.89Fe2.51Co0.53)Σ=8.93S8.00
(Fe4.80Ni4.12Co0.08)Σ=9S8
x+y=9.
IMA formula is: (Ni,Fe)9S8.
Most samples are Ni-dominant, but some are Fe-dominant.
Typical analyses:
(Ni4.60Fe4.30Co0.17)Σ=9.07S8.00
(Ni4.16Fe3.63Co1.48)Σ=9.27S8.00
(Ni5.89Fe2.51Co0.53)Σ=8.93S8.00
(Fe4.80Ni4.12Co0.08)Σ=9S8
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Co,Ag,Cu
Age distribution
Recorded ages:
Phanerozoic : 275.2 ± 4.2 Ma to 229.9 ± 1.7 Ma - based on 5 recorded ages.
Sample ages:
| Sample ID | Recorded age | Geologic Time | Dating method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 229.9 ± 1.7 Ma | Late/Upper Triassic | Re-Os |
| 2 | 239 ± 1.5 Ma | Middle Triassic | Re-Os |
| 3 | 275.2 ± 4.2 Ma | Cisuralian | Re-Os |
Sample references:
Chemical Analysis
wt%
| 1 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| S | 33.48 % | 29.8 % |
| Fe | 26.27 % | 30.3 % |
| Co | 16.95 % | 3.3 % |
| Ni | 23.90 % | 35.1 % |
| Cu | 0.03 % | |
| Zn | 0.07 % | |
| Ag | 0.01 % | |
| Sb | 0.01 % | |
| Total: | 100.72 % | 98.5 % |
Empirical formulas:
| Sample ID | Empirical Formula |
|---|---|
| 1 | (Fe3.62Ni3.13Co2.21)S8.03 |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tazheranskii Massif, Russia | sparse small grains associated with magnetite and "limonite", in a high-grade geikielite-bearing magnesian marble, with abundant forsterite and spinel. | |
| 2 | West of Bajep Sårjåsávrre, Sorjusdalen, Fauske, Nordland, Norway |
Crystallography of Pentlandite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m(4/m32/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Fm3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.928(1) Å
Unit Cell V:
978.56 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Massive or irregular 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0004229 | Pentlandite | Tenailleau C, Etschmann B, Ibberson R M, Pring A (2006) A neutron powder diffraction study of Fe and Ni distributions in synthetic pentlandite and violarite using 60Ni isotope American Mineralogist 91 1442-1447 | ![]() | 2006 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004228 | Pentlandite | Tenailleau C, Etschmann B, Ibberson R M, Pring A (2006) A neutron powder diffraction study of Fe and Ni distributions in synthetic pentlandite and violarite using 60Ni isotope American Mineralogist 91 1442-1447 | ![]() | 2006 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004227 | Pentlandite | Tenailleau C, Etschmann B, Ibberson R M, Pring A (2006) A neutron powder diffraction study of Fe and Ni distributions in synthetic pentlandite and violarite using 60Ni isotope American Mineralogist 91 1442-1447 | ![]() | 2006 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004226 | Pentlandite | Tenailleau C, Etschmann B, Ibberson R M, Pring A (2006) A neutron powder diffraction study of Fe and Ni distributions in synthetic pentlandite and violarite using 60Ni isotope American Mineralogist 91 1442-1447 | ![]() | 2006 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0005096 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1973) Crystal chemistry of natural pentlandite The Canadian Mineralogist 12 178-187 | ![]() | 1973 | Outokumpu, Finland | 0 | 293 |
| 0005095 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1973) Crystal chemistry of natural pentlandite The Canadian Mineralogist 12 178-187 | ![]() | 1973 | Frood Mine, Ontario, Canada | 0 | 293 |
| 0007724 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007707 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007699 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0000443 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1975) Thermal expansion of the pentlandite structure Outokumpu, at 24 deg C after heating American Mineralogist 60 39-48 | ![]() | 1975 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000442 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1975) Thermal expansion of the pentlandite structure Outokumpu, at 350 deg C American Mineralogist 60 39-48 | ![]() | 1975 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000441 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1975) Thermal expansion of the pentlandite structure Outokumpu, at 235 deg C American Mineralogist 60 39-48 | ![]() | 1975 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000440 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1975) Thermal expansion of the pentlandite structure Outokumpu, at 24 deg C American Mineralogist 60 39-48 | ![]() | 1975 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000439 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1975) Thermal expansion of the pentlandite structure Frood, at 24 deg C after heating American Mineralogist 60 39-48 | ![]() | 1975 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000438 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1975) Thermal expansion of the pentlandite structure Frood, at 200 deg C American Mineralogist 60 39-48 | ![]() | 1975 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000437 | Pentlandite | Rajamani V, Prewitt C T (1975) Thermal expansion of the pentlandite structure Frood, at 24 deg C American Mineralogist 60 39-48 | ![]() | 1975 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005094 | Pentlandite | Hall S R, Stewart J M (1973) The crystal structure of argentian pentlandite (Fe,Ni)8AgS8, compared with the refined structure of pentlandite (Fe,Ni)9S8 The Canadian Mineralogist 12 169-177 | ![]() | 1973 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000079 | Pentlandite | Pearson A D, Buerger M J (1956) Confirmation of the crystal structure of pentlandite. American Mineralogist 41 804-805 | ![]() | 1956 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018078 | Pentlandite | Lindqvist M, Lindqvist D, Westgren A (1936) The crystal structure of Co9 S8 and of pentlandite (Ni Fe)9 S8 _cod_database_code 1011208 Svensk Kemisk Tidskrift 48 156-160 | 1936 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0018077 | Pentlandite | Lindqvist M, Lindqvist D, Westgren A (1936) The crystal structure of Co9 S8 and of pentlandite (Ni Fe)9 S8 _cod_database_code 1011207 Svensk Kemisk Tidskrift 48 156-160 | 1936 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0018056 | Pentlandite | Alsen N (1925) Roentgenographische Untersuchungen der Kristallstrukturen von Magnetkies, Breithauptit, Pentlandit, Millerit und verwandten Verbindungen _cod_database_code 1011181 Geologiska Foreningens i Stockholm Forhandlingar 47 19-73 | 1925 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007721 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 423 | ||
| 0007720 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 423 | ||
| 0007719 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 423 | ||
| 0007718 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 423 | ||
| 0007717 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 423 | ||
| 0007716 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 448 | ||
| 0007715 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 448 | ||
| 0007714 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 448 | ||
| 0007713 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 448 | ||
| 0007723 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 473 | ||
| 0007712 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 473 | ||
| 0007711 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 473 | ||
| 0007710 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 473 | ||
| 0007709 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 473 | ||
| 0007708 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 473 | ||
| 0007701 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 523 | ||
| 0007725 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 0 | 533 | ||
| 0007722 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 1 | 293 | ||
| 0007702 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 1 | 523 | ||
| 0007706 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 1 | 723 | ||
| 0007700 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 2 | 433 | ||
| 0007704 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 2 | 523 | ||
| 0007703 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 2 | 523 | ||
| 0007705 | Pentlandite | Tsukimura K, Nakazawa H, Endo T, Fukunaga O (1992) Cation distribution in Pentlandites (Fe,Ni)9S8: dependence of pressure and temperature and kinetics of the cation exchange reaction Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 203-212 | 1992 | 4 | 523 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 1.775 Å | (100) |
| 3.028 Å | (80) |
| 1.931 Å | (50) |
| 2.896 Å | (40) |
| 5.780 Å | (30) |
| 2.301 Å | (30) |
| 1.307 Å | (20) |
Comments:
Worthington mine, Sudbury, Canada.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 1: Primary nebular phases | 4.567-4.561 |
| 4 : Primary chondrule phases | 4.566–4.561 |
| Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration | 4.566-4.550 |
| 5 : Primary asteroid phases | 4.566–4.560 |
| 6 : Secondary asteroid phases | 4.566-4.560 |
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 7 : Ultramafic igneous rocks | |
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 12 : Hadean hydrothermal subsurface sulfide deposits (see also #33) | |
| 14 : Hot springs, geysers, and other subaerial geothermal minerals | |
| 15 : Black/white smoker minerals and other seafloor hydrothermal minerals | |
| 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 | |
| 37 : Layered igneous intrusions and related PGE minerals | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 38 : Ophiolites |
Geological Setting:
Disseminated to massive sulfide in ultramafic rocks and related rocks.
Type Occurrence of Pentlandite
Co-Type Localities:
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom, numbers 26622 and 26623 (holotype).
Synonyms of Pentlandite
Other Language Names for Pentlandite
Basque:Pentlandita
Catalan:Pentlandita
Dutch:Pentlandiet
Finnish:Pentlandiitti
French:Pentlandite
Italian:Pentlandite
Lithuanian:Pentlanditas
Russian:Пентландит
Simplified Chinese:镍黄铁矿
Swedish:Pentlandit
Varieties of Pentlandite
| Cobalt-bearing Pentlandite | A cobaltian pentlandite from a gabbro in the Surjusdalen area, Sulitjelma, Nordland, Norway was reported by Cooper et al. (1979) |
| Palladium-bearing Pentlandite | May contain as much as 0.17 wt.% Pd. The highest concentration of palladium in Pd‐rich pentlandites of the Southern‐2 ore body corresponds to 11.26 wt.%, |
| Rhodian Pentlandite | |
| Silver-bearing Pentlandite | A Ag-bearing variety of pentlandite. Compare the end-member argentopentlandite. |
Relationship of Pentlandite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Pentlandite Group:
| Argentopentlandite | Ag(Fe,Ni)8S8 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m |
| Cobaltpentlandite | Co9S8 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m |
| Geffroyite | (Cu,Fe,Ag)9(Se,S)8 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m |
| Oberthürite | Rh3Ni32S32 | Iso. |
| Shadlunite | (Pb,Cd)(Fe,Cu)8S8 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m |
| Sugakiite | Cu(Fe,Ni)8S8 | Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P42/mnm |
| Wangyanite | PdNi8S8 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3c |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 326 photos of Pentlandite associated with Pyrrhotite | Fe1-xS |
| 286 photos of Pentlandite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 109 photos of Pentlandite associated with Magnetite | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
| 70 photos of Pentlandite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 42 photos of Pentlandite associated with Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
| 33 photos of Pentlandite associated with Altaite | PbTe |
| 33 photos of Pentlandite associated with Cubanite | CuFe2S3 |
| 31 photos of Pentlandite associated with Galena | PbS |
| 30 photos of Pentlandite associated with Violarite | Fe2+Ni3+2S4 |
| 27 photos of Pentlandite associated with Sperrylite | PtAs2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.BB. | Arsenotučekite | Ni18Sb3AsS16 |
| 2.BB. | Hrabákite | Ni9PbSbS8 |
| 2.BB. | 'UM2007-27-S:CuFeIrNiRh' | (Ni,Fe,Cu,Rh,Ir)11S9 |
| 2.BB. | Horomanite | Fe6Ni3S8 |
| 2.BB. | Samaniite | Cu2Fe5Ni2S8 |
| 2.BB.05 | Heazlewoodite | Ni3S2 |
| 2.BB.05 | 'UM2007-30-S:Fe' | Fe3S2 |
| 2.BB.05 | Vozhminite | (Ni,Co)4(As,Sb)S2 |
| 2.BB.05 | Oregonite | Ni2FeAs2 |
| 2.BB.10 | Hauchecornite | Ni9BiSbS8 |
| 2.BB.10 | Arsenohauchecornite | Ni18Bi3AsS16 |
| 2.BB.10 | Tellurohauchecornite | Ni9Bi(Te,Bi)S8 |
| 2.BB.10 | Jinxiuite | Ni18Bi2SbAsS16 |
| 2.BB.10 | Bismutohauchecornite | Ni9Bi2S8 |
| 2.BB.10 | Tučekite | Ni9Sb2S8 |
| 2.BB.15 | Argentopentlandite | Ag(Fe,Ni)8S8 |
| 2.BB.15 | Shadlunite | (Pb,Cd)(Fe,Cu)8S8 |
| 2.BB.15 | Ferhodsite | (Fe,Rh,Ni,Ir,Cu,Pt)9S8 |
| 2.BB.15 | Cobaltpentlandite | Co9S8 |
| 2.BB.15 | 'UM2002-26-S:FeNi' | (Ni,Fe)9S8 |
| 2.BB.15 | Oberthürite | Rh3Ni32S32 |
| 2.BB.15 | Geffroyite | (Cu,Fe,Ag)9(Se,S)8 |
| 2.BB.15 | Kharaelakhite | (Cu,Pt,Pb,Fe,Ni)9S8 |
| 2.BB.15 | 'Manganoshadlunite' | (Mn,Pb,Cd)(Cu,Fe)8S8 |
| 2.BB.15 | Sugakiite | Cu(Fe,Ni)8S8 |
| 2.BB.15 | Godlevskite | (Ni,Fe)9S8 |
| 2.BB.15 | Wangyanite | PdNi8S8 |
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.
Industrial Uses:
Ore of nickel.
Pentlandite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Pentlandite
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References for Pentlandite
Reference List:
Ehrenberg, H. (1932) Orientierte Verwachsungen von Magnetkies und Pentlandit. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 82 (1-6). 309-315 doi:10.1524/zkri.1932.82.1.309
Pearson, A. David, Buerger, M. J. (1956) Confirmation of the crystal structure of pentlandite. American Mineralogist, 41 (9-10) 804
Naldrett, A. J., Craig, J. R., Kullerud, Gunnar (1967) The central portion of the Fe-Ni-S system and its bearing on pentlandite exsolution in iron-nickel sulfide ores. Economic Geology, 62 (6) 826-847 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.62.6.826
Shewman, R. W., Clark, L. A. (1970) Pentlandite phase relations in the Fe–Ni–S system and notes on the monosulfide solid solution. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 7 (1) 67-85 doi:10.1139/e70-005
Misra, Kula, Fleet, M. E. (1973) The Chemical Compositions of Synthetic and Natural Pentlandite Assemblages. Economic Geology, 68 (4) 518-539 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.68.4.518
Hall, S. R., Stewart, J. M. (1973) The crystal structure of argentian pentlandite (Fe,Ni)8AgS8, compared with the refined structure of pentlandite (Fe,Ni)9S8. The Canadian Mineralogist, 12 (3) 169-177
Misra, Kula C., Fleet, M.E. (1973) Unit cell parameters of monosulfide, pentlandite and taenite solid solutions within the Fe-Ni-S system. Materials Research Bulletin, 8 (6). 669-677 doi:10.1016/0025-5408(73)90059-7
Rajamani, V., Prewitt, C. T. (1975) Thermal expansion of the pentlandite structure. American Mineralogist, 60 (1-2) 39-48
Francis, Carl A., Fleet, Michael E., Mistra, Kula, Craig, James R. (1976) Orientation of exsolved pentlandite in natural and synthetic nickeliferous pyrrhotite. American Mineralogist, 61 (9-10) 913-920
Knop, Osvald, Huang, Chung-Hsi, Reid, K.I.G., Carlow, J.S., Woodhams, F.W.D. (1976) Chalkogenides of the transition elements. X. X-ray, neutron, Mössbauer, and magnetic studies of pentlandite and the π phases π(Fe, Co, Ni, S), Co8MS8, and Fe4Ni4MS8 (M = Ru, Rh, Pd) Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 16. 97-116 doi:10.1016/0022-4596(76)90012-8
Riley, John F. (1977) The pentlandite group (Fe,Ni,Co)9S8: New data and an appraisal of structure-composition relationships. Mineralogical Magazine, 41 (319) 345-349 doi:10.1180/minmag.1977.041.319.05
Evans, Howard T., Clark, Joan R (1981) The crystal structure of bartonite, a potassium iron sulfide, and its relationship to pentlandite and djerfisherite. American Mineralogist, 66 (3-4) 376-384
Durazzo, A., Taylor, L.A. (1982) Exsolution in the Mss-pentlandite system: Textural and genetic implications for Ni-sulfide ores. Mineralium Deposita, 17 (3). 313-332 doi:10.1007/bf00204463
Kelly, D. P., Vaughan, D. J. (1983) Pyrrhotine-pentlandite ore textures: a mechanistic approach. Mineralogical Magazine, 47 (345) 453-463 doi:10.1180/minmag.1983.047.345.06
Richardson, S., Vaughan, D. J. (1989) Surface alteration of pentlandite and spectroscopic evidence for secondary violarite formation. Mineralogical Magazine, 53 (370) 213-222 doi:10.1180/minmag.1989.053.370.08
Sugaki, Asahiko, Kitakaze, Arashi (1998) High form of pentlandite and its thermal stability. American Mineralogist, 83 (1) 133-140 doi:10.2138/am-1998-1-213
Grguric, B. A. (2002) Hypogene violarite of exsolution origin from Mount Keith, Western Australia: field evidence for a stable pentlandite–violarite tie line. Mineralogical Magazine, 66 (2) 313-326 doi:10.1180/0026461026620032
Etschmann, B. E., Pring, A., Putnis, A., McCammon, C., GrGuric, B., Studer, A. J. (2002) Kinetics of exsolution in the pentlandite-pyrrhotite ((Fe,Ni)9S8-Fe(1−x)S) system. Acta Crystallographica Section A Foundations of Crystallography, 58 (s1). c144 doi:10.1107/s0108767302090785
Etschmann, Barbara, Pring, Allan, Putnis, Andrew, Grguric, Benjamin A., Studer, Andrew (2004) A kinetic study of the exsolution of pentlandite (Ni,Fe)9S8 from the monosulfide solid solution (Fe, Ni)S. American Mineralogist, 89 (1). 39-50 doi:10.2138/am-2004-0106
Kitakaze, A., Sugaki, A. (2004) THE PHASE RELATIONS BETWEEN Fe4.5Ni4.5S8 AND Co9S8 IN THE SYSTEM Fe-Ni-Co-S AT TEMPERATURES FROM 400° TO 1100°C. The Canadian Mineralogist, 42 (1). 17-42 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.42.1.17
Tenailleau, C., Pring, A., Etschmann, B., Brugger, J., Grguric, B., Putnis, A. (2006) Transformation of pentlandite to violarite under mild hydrothermal conditions. American Mineralogist, 91 (4) 706-709 doi:10.2138/am.2006.2131
Tenailleau, C. (2006) A neutron powder diffraction study of Fe and Ni distributions in synthetic pentlandite and violarite using 60Ni isotope. American Mineralogist, 91 (8) 1442-1447 doi:10.2138/am.2006.2144
Kitakaze, A., Sugaki, A., Itoh, H., Komatsu, R. (2011) A revision of phase relations in the system Fe–Ni–S from 650° to 450°C. The Canadian Mineralogist, 49 (6) 1687-1710 doi:10.3749/canmin.49.6.1687
Staude, Sebastian, Scharrer, Manuel, Markl, Gregor, Simon, Isaac, Pfaff, Katharina, Monecke, Thomas, Blanc, Philippe (2023) Hydrothermal pentlandite (Ni,Fe)9S8 from Kambalda, Western Australia: Implications for the formation of orogenic gold deposits. The Canadian Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology, 61 (2). 239-271 doi:10.3749/2200032
Smith, Jennifer, Graziani, Riccardo, Petts, Duane C., Regis, Daniele (2023) Crystallographic controlled exsolution and metal partitioning in magmatic sulfide deposits. Geochemistry, 83 (2) 125954 doi:10.1016/j.chemer.2023.125954
Spivak, Anna V., Sharapova, Ninel Yu., Setkova, Tatiana V., Bobrov, Andrey V., Korepanov, Vitaliy I., Iskrina, Anastasia V., Zakharchenko, Egor S., Voronin, Mikhail V., Drozhzhina, Natalia A. (2024) High-Pressure Monosulfide Solid Solution FexNi1−xS Phases: X-Ray Diffraction Analysis and Raman Spectroscopy. Crystals, 14 (11). doi:10.3390/cryst14110967
Localities for Pentlandite
Showing 2,125 localities.
Locality List
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All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
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Allarechenskoe Ni-Cu ore field, Pechengsky District, Murmansk Oblast, Russia