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Smythite

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Bloomington Crushed Stone Co. Quarry, Bloomington, Monroe Co., Indiana, USA
© T. Kennedy 2002

Show Smythite Photos (11)
Formula:
(Fe,Ni)
 
9
S
 
11
System:TrigonalColour:brownish black, ...
Hardness:4½
Name:Named after Charles Henry Smyth, Jr. (1867-1937), Professor of Economic Geology, Princeton University, New Jersey (USA)


Pyrrhotite Group.

An iron(-nickel) sulphide visually very similar to pyrrhotite and troilite.

Classification of Smythite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Explanation of status:May be a trigonal polytype of Pyrrhotite
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/C.19-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.CC.10

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
C : With Ni, Fe, Co, PGE, etc.
Dana 8th edition ID:2.8.10.2

2 : SULFIDES
8 : AmXp, with m:p = 1:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:3.9.7

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
9 : Sulphides etc. of Fe
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Type Occurrence of Smythite

Type Locality:Bloomington Crushed Stone Co. Quarry, Bloomington, Monroe Co., Indiana, USA
Year of Discovery:1956

Physical Properties of Smythite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:brownish black, bronze-yellow
Streak:dark grey
Hardness (Mohs):4½
Cleavage:Perfect

Crystallography of Smythite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Cell Parameters:a = 3.47Å, c = 34.5Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 9.942
Unit Cell Volume:V 359.76 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Chemical Properties of Smythite

Formula:
(Fe,Ni)
 
9
S
 
11
Essential elements:Fe, S
All elements listed in formula:Fe, Ni, S

Relationship of Smythite to other Species

Related to:
  • Pyrrhotite Group
    • Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

    - +
    2.CC.05Achavalite
    FeSe
    2.CC.05Breithauptite
    NiSb
    2.CC.05Freboldite
    CoSe
    2.CC.05Kotulskite
    Pd(Te,Bi)
     
    1-2
    2.CC.05Langisite
    (Co,Ni)As ratio Co:Ni = 5:1
    2.CC.05Nickeline
    NiAs
    2.CC.05Sederholmite
    NiSe beta-NiSe
    2.CC.05Sobolevskite
    PdBi
    2.CC.05Stumpflite
    Pt(Sb,Bi)
    2.CC.05Sudburyite
    (Pd,Ni)Sb
    2.CC.05Jaipurite
    CoS
    2.CC.05Zlatogorite
    NiCuSb
     
    2
    2.CC.10Pyrrhotite
    Fe
     
    7
    		S
     
    8
    		, (-4M), also given as Fe
     
    1-x
    		S (x = 0 - 0.2)
    2.CC.10Troilite
    FeS
    2.CC.15Cherepanovite
    RhAs
    2.CC.15Modderite
    (Co,Fe)As
    2.CC.15Ruthenarsenite
    (Ru,Ni)As
    2.CC.15Westerveldite
    (Fe,Ni,Co)As
    2.CC.20Millerite
    NiS
    2.CC.20Mäkinenite
    γ-NiSe
    2.CC.20UM1990-38-S:CuFeIrNiPtRh
    (Ir,Pt,Ni,Fe)S
    2.CC.25Mackinawite
    (Fe,Ni)
     
    9
    		S
     
    8
    2.CC.30Hexatestibiopanickelite
    Ni(Te,Sb)
    2.CC.30Vavřínite
    Ni
     
    2
    		SbTe
     
    2
    2.CC.35aBraggite
    (Pt,Pd,Ni)S
    2.CC.35bCooperite
    (Pt,Pd,Ni)S
    2.CC.35aVysotskite
    (Pd,Ni)S
    Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

    - +
    3.9.1Pyrrhotite
    Fe
     
    7
    		S
     
    8
    		, (-4M), also given as Fe
     
    1-x
    		S (x = 0 - 0.2)
    3.9.3Pyrite
    FeS
     
    2
    3.9.4Marcasite
    FeS
     
    2
    3.9.5Greigite
    Fe
    2+
     
    		Fe
    3+
    2
    		S
     
    4
    3.9.6Mackinawite
    (Fe,Ni)
     
    9
    		S
     
    8
    3.9.8Achavalite
    FeSe
    3.9.9Ferroselite
    FeSe
     
    2
    3.9.10Frohbergite
    FeTe
     
    2
    3.9.11Löllingite
    FeAs
     
    2
    3.9.12Arsenopyrite
    FeAsS - (Fe
     
    0.90
    		Co
     
    0.10
    		)AsS
    3.9.13Gudmundite
    FeSbS

    Other Names for Smythite

    Other Languages:
    German:Smythit
    Russian:Смизит
    Spanish:Smythita

    Other Information

    Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

    References for Smythite

    Reference List:J. Chem. Soc., London (1956), 78, 2017.

    American Mineralogist (1957): 42: 309-333.

    American Mineralogist (1970): 55: 1650-1658.

    American Mineralogist (1972): 57: 1571-1577.

    American Mineralogist (1995): 80: 188.

    European Journal of Mineralogy (1994): 6: 265-278.

    Internet Links for Smythite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Smythite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Smythite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Smythite

    Hide Locality List
    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Australia
     
    • Western Australia
      • Widgiemooltha
    		No reference listed
    Canada
     
    • Manitoba
      • Flin Flon District
    		Economic Geology (1996) 91:1394-1413
      • Lac-du-Bonnet area
    		No reference listed
    • Ontario
      • Kenora District
        • Pickle Lake
      • Rainy River District
        • Hutchinson Township
          • Atikokan
    		No reference listed
      • Thunder Bay District
        • Schreiber
      • Timiskaming District
        • Coleman Township
    		Dana's New Mineralogy; American Mineralogist (1970), 55:1650-1658
    • Québec
      • Gaboury Township
      • Jacques Cartier Co.
        • Montréal
          • St. Michel District
    		Mineralogical Record (2006): 37: 5-60.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Ostrov
    		Lapis 2002(7/8), 63-65
        • Sokolov (Falkenau an der Eger)
    		Beran, P., Rojík, P.: Mineralogie a geologie lomu Lomnice v sokolovské hnědouhelné pánvi. Bulletin mineralogicko-petrografického oddělení Národního muzea v Praze, 1997, roč. 4-5, s. 77-83.
    France
     
    • Alsace
      • Haut-Rhin
        • Thur valley (Thann valley)
          • Kruth
    		Kolitsch: Aufschluss 2/1997; U. Kolitsch (1997): Neufunde von Mineralien aus einigen Vorkommen der Vogesen, Frankreich: Giromagny, Auxelles-Haut und Kruth 1. Aufschluss 48 (4), 243-256.
    • Auvergne
      • Haute-Loire
        • Lavoûte-Chilhac
          • Saint-Cirgues
    		P.G. Pélisson : "Etude Minéralogique et Métallogénique du District Filonien Polytype de Paulhaguet (Haute-Loire, Massif Central Français)", Doctorate Thesis, Orléans, France, 1989
    • Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
      • Alpes-Maritimes
        • Saint-Martin-Vésubie
          • Le Boréon
    		R. Pierrot, P. Picot, J. Féraud, J. Vernet : "Inventaire Minéralogique de la France N° 4 : Alpes-Maritimes", BRGM, 1974
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • St Blasien
          • Urberg
    		K. Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
        • Wolfach
          • Oberwolfach
            • Rankach valley
    		Walenta, K. (1992): Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes. Chr. Weise Verlag, München, 336 pp. (in German)
    • Lower Saxony
      • Harz Mts
        • St Andreasberg District
          • St Andreasberg
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    Italy
     
    • Liguria
      • Genova Province
        • Ne
          • Graveglia Valley
    		[MinRec 32:356]
    • Piedmont
      • Torino Province
        • Sesia-Lanzo zone
          • Lanzo Valley
            • Lanzo Massif
              • Balangero - Corio area
    		Piccoli, G.C., Maletto, G., Bosio, P., Lombardo, B. (2007): Minerali del Piemonte e della Valle d'Aosta. Associazione Amici del Museo "F. Eusebio" Alba, Ed., Alba (Cuneo) 607 pp.
      • Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province
        • Formazza Valley
          • Formazza
    		Piccoli, G.C., Maletto, G., Bosio, P., Lombardo, B. (2007). Minerali del Piemonte e della Valle d\'Aosta. Associazione Amici del Museo \"F. Eusebio\" Alba, Ed., Alba (Cuneo) 607 pp.
    • Tuscany
      • Lucca Province
        • Apuan Alps
          • Seravezza
    		Orlandi et al., 1996. Minerals of the Seravezza Marble, Tuscany, Italy. Min. Rec., 27: 47-58.
          • Stazzema
            • Ponte Stazzemese
    		Orlandi P., Dini A., 2004. Die Mineralien der Buca della Vena-Mine, Apuaner Berge, Toskana (Italien). Lapis, 1: 11-24
      • Massa-Carrara Province
        • Apuan Alps
    		Orlandi P., Franzini M., 1994. I minerali del marmo di Carrara. Amilcare Pizzi S.p.A., Milano.
    Orlandi P., Franzini M., 1994. I minerali del marmo di Carrara. Amilcare Pizzi S.p.A., Milano.
    Orlandi P., Franzini M., 1994. I minerali del marmo di Carrara. Amilcare Pizzi S.p.A., Milano.
          • Massa
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Tohoku Region
        • Iwate Prefecture
          • Kamaishi City
    		Imai et al (1976) Ganseki-Koubutsu-Koshogaku Zasshi, 71, 255-263.
    Norway
     
    • Nordland
      • Ballangen
        • Håfjellet
    		Foslie, S.(1950):" Supergene marcasite, replacing pyrrhotite". Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift 28,144-150; Neumann (1985, p. 27).
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Western Slovenské Rudohorie Mts
    		Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590k
    Switzerland
     
    • Solothurn
      • Lommiswil
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 379.
      • Olten
        • Trimbach
          • Unter Hauenstein
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 379.
    • Ticino (Tessin)
      • Blenio Valley
        • Camadra Valley
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 379.
      • Leventina
        • Faido
          • Mt Piottino
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 379.
    • Wallis (Valais)
      • Binn Valley
        • Im Feld (Imfeld; Feld; Fäld)
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 379.
      • Brig
        • Simplon pass area
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 379.
    Ukraine
     
    • Crimea Oblast'
    		World of Stones v.9
    USA
     
    • California
      • Kern Co.
        • Kramer District
          • Boron
    Cal Div of Mines & Geology "Mineral Information Service" V. 22 N. 10 Oct 1969
    • Colorado
      • Fremont Co.
        • Iron Mountain complex
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Indiana
      • Jackson Co.
        • Medora
    		Rocks & Min.: 61: 145.
      • Monroe Co.
        • Bloomington
    		J.Chem.Soc.,London(1956) 78, p. 2017; Mineral Reference Manual (Nickel and Nichols 1991)
        • Harrodsburg
    • Kentucky
      • Lincoln Co.
        • Halls Gap
    		Mineralogical Record, v. 28, n. 6, 1997
      • Washington Co.
        • Springfield
    Mineral and/or Locality
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