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Theophrastite

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Vermion Mt, Pélla Prefecture, Macedonia Department, Greece
© 2008, J. Weissman

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Formula:
Ni(OH)
 
2
System:TrigonalColour:Emerald Green
Hardness:3½
Name:
Named after Theophrastus (ca 371-286 BCE), Greek philosopher and writer, disciple of Aristotle. Author in 315 BCE of perhaps the first mineralogy textbook.


Brucite Group.

The nickel analogue of Brucite.

Classification of Theophrastite

IMA status:Approved 1980
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/F.03-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.FE.05

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
E : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
Dana 8th edition ID:6.2.1.5

6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
2 : X(OH)2
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.22.3

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
22 : Oxides of Ni
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Type Occurrence of Theophrastite

Type Locality:Vermion Mt, Pélla Prefecture, Macedonia Department, Greece
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Smithsonian 148460
Year of Discovery:1980

Occurrences of Theophrastite

Geological Setting:Chromatites

Physical Properties of Theophrastite

Lustre:Silky
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Emerald Green
Streak:Light green
Hardness (Mohs):3½
Cleavage:Perfect
on {0001}
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):4.00 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.95 g/cm3

Crystallography of Theophrastite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Class (H-M):3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:P3m1 {P3 2/m 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 3.131Å, c = 4.608Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.472
Unit Cell Volume:V 39.12 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:1
Morphology:Platy. fibrous, botyroidal crusts.
Comment:On synthetic

Optical Data of Theophrastite

Type:Uniaxial (+)
RI values: nω = 1.759 - 1.760 nε = 1.759 - 1.760
Birefringence:Very weak
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.000

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:High
Pleochroism:Weak

Chemical Properties of Theophrastite

Formula:
Ni(OH)
 
2
Essential elements:H, Ni, O
All elements listed in formula:H, Ni, O

Relationship of Theophrastite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.FE.05Amakinite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)(OH)
 
2
4.FE.05Brucite
Mg(OH)
 
2
4.FE.05Portlandite
Ca(OH)
 
2
4.FE.05Pyrochroite
Mn(OH)
 
2
4.FE.10Bayerite
Al(OH)
 
3
4.FE.10Doyleite
Al(OH)
 
3
4.FE.10Gibbsite
Al(OH)
 
3
4.FE.10Nordstrandite
Al(OH)
 
3
4.FE.15Böhmite
AlO(OH)
4.FE.15Lepidocrocite
γ-Fe
3+
 
O(OH)
4.FE.20Grimaldiite
CrO(OH)
4.FE.20Heterogenite
CoO(OH)
4.FE.25Feitknechtite
Mn
3+
 
O(OH)
4.FE.25Lithiophorite
(Al,Li)MnO
 
2
(OH)
 
2
4.FE.30Quenselite
PbMnO
 
2
(OH)
4.FE.35Ferrihydrite
Fe
3+
5
O
 
3
(OH)
 
9
4.FE.40Feroxyhyte
Fe
3+
 
O(OH)
4.FE.40Vernadite
(Mn
4+
 
,Fe
3+
 
,Ca,Na)(O,OH)
 
2
 · nH
 
2
O
4.FE.45Quetzalcoatlite
Zn
 
6
Cu
 
3
(TeO
 
6
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · Ag
 
x
Pb
 
y
Cl
 
x+2y
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
7.22.1Bunsenite
NiO
7.22.4Jamborite
(Ni
2+
 
,Ni
3+
 
,Co,Fe)(OH)
 
2
(OH,S,H
 
2
O)
7.22.5Takovite
Ni
 
6
Al
 
2
(OH)
 
16
[CO
 
3
] · 4H
 
2
O
7.22.6Trevorite
Ni
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4
7.22.7Nichromite
(Ni,Co,Fe)(Cr,Fe,Al)
 
2
O
 
4

Other Names for Theophrastite

Synonyms:
IMA1980-059Theophrastite (of Marcopoulos and Economou)
Other Languages:
German:Theophrastit
Russian:Теофрастит
Spanish:Theophrastita

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 Theophrastite

Reference List:

- +
Marcopoulos, T. & Economou, M. (1981): Theophrastite, Ni(OH)2, a new mineral from northern Greece. American Mineralogist: 66: 1020-1021.

Internet Links for Theophrastite

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    • Localities for Theophrastite

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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
     
    • Tasmania
      • Heazlewood district
    		Henry, D. A. & Birch, W. D. (1992): Otwayite and theophrastite from the Lord Brassey Mine, Tasmania. Mineral. Mag. 56, 252-255.; Anderson, P., Bottrill, R. & Davidson, P. (2002): Famous mineral localities: The Lord Brassey mine, Tasmania. Mineralogical Record 33, 321-332
    Canada
     
    • Québec
      • Estrie
        • Les Sources RCM
          • Asbestos
    		Horváth & Spertini (2008 & 2009)
    Greece
     
    • Macedonia Department
      • Pélla Prefecture
    		American Mineralogist, Yolume 66, pages 1020-1021, 1981
    UK
     
    • Scotland
      • Shetland Islands
        • Unst
          • Baltasound-Haroldswick area
    		Mineralogical Magazine 1982 46 : 1-5.
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