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Theophrastite

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

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
Year of Discovery:1981

Physical Properties of Theophrastite

Lustre:Silky
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Emerald Green
Streak:Light green
Hardness (Mohs):3½

Crystallography of Theophrastite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Cell Parameters:a = 3.12Å, c = 4.6Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.474
Unit Cell Volume:V 38.78 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Theophrastite

Type:Uniaxial (+)
RI values: nω = 1.759 - 1.760 nε = 1.759 - 1.760
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

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
 
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)
German names:
Theophrastit
Russian names:
Теофрастит
Spanish names:
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

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    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
     
    • Tasmania
      • Heazlewood district
    		Henry, D. A. & Birch, W. D. (1992): Otwayite and theophrastite from the Lord Brassey Mine, Tasmania. Mineral. Mag. 56, 252-255.; Andersen, P., Bottrill, R. & Davidson, P. (2002): Famous mineral localities: The Lord Brassey mine, Tasmania. Mineral. Rec. 33, 321-332.
    Greece
     
    • Macedonia Department
      • Pélla Prefecture
    		No reference listed
    Mineral and/or Locality
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