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Nierite

Formula:
Si
 
3
N
 
4
System:TrigonalLustre:Adamantine
Hardness:9
Name:For A. O. Nier (1912-1994), who was responsible for the now accepted measurement of the atmospheric N-isotope composition.


A very rare natural nitride.
Synthetic silicon nitride is a very important high-performance ceramic.

Classification of Nierite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:1/A.10-45
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:1.DB.05

1 : ELEMENTS (Metals and intermetallic alloys; metalloids and nonmetals; carbides, silicides, nitrides, phosphides)
D : Nonmetallic Carbides and Nitrides
B : Nonmetallic nitrides
Dana 7th edition ID:1.3.9.1
Dana 8th edition ID:1.3.10.1

1 : NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS
3 : Semi-metals and non-metals
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Type Occurrence of Nierite

Type Locality:Indarch meteorite (Elizabethpol; Gindorcha; Glindorcha; Indarh; Indarkh; Schuscha; Suscha [NHM cat.]), Shusha, Naxçıvan (Naxcivan; Nakhichevan) District, Azerbaijan

Physical Properties of Nierite

Lustre:Adamantine
Hardness (Mohs):9

Crystallography of Nierite

Crystal System:Trigonal

Optical Data of Nierite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 2.030 nε = 2.020
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.010

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

Chemical Properties of Nierite

Formula:
Si
 
3
N
 
4
Essential elements:N, Si
All elements listed in formula:N, Si

Relationship of Nierite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
1.DB.10Sinoite
Si
 
2
N
 
2
O

Other Names for Nierite

Synonyms:
IMA1994-032
Other Languages:
German:Nierit
Spanish:Nierita

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 Nierite

Reference List:American Mineralogist (1996): 81: 251.

Mineralogical Record: 27: 118-119.

Meteoritics: 30: 387-398.

Internet Links for Nierite

Search Engines:
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  • External Links:
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  • Look for Nierite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Nierite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Nierite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Nierite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
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    Localities for Nierite

    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.
    (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.
    Azerbaijan
     
    • Naxçıvan (Naxcivan; Nakhichevan) District
      • Shusha
    Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow; Meteoritics, vol. 32, pages 719-732
    China
     
    • Guizhou Province
      • Anshun Prefecture
        • Pingba Co.
    Lin, Yangting, Amari, Sachiko, and Pravdivtseva, Olga (2002) Presolar grains from the Qingzhen (EH3) meteorite. The Astrophysical Journal: 525(1)(08/2002): 257-263.
    USA
     
    • Kansas
      • McPherson Co.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 29th Oct 2009 14:08:57