Greigite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Greigite
Formula:
Fe2+Fe3+2S4
Colour:
metallic pinkish, tarnishing to a metallic blue, sooty black when amorphous
Lustre:
Metallic, Earthy
Hardness:
4 - 4½
Specific Gravity:
4.049
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Joseph Wilson Greig (1895, Ontario, Canada - 22 October 1977, Lewistown, Pennsylvania, USA), a mineralogist and physical chemist at at the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution, Washington, D.C., USA and later at Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA. He was a pioneer in high-temperature phase equilibrium studies of oxide and sulfide systems. Perhaps his greatest contribution was a comprehensive study of liquid immiscibility in silicate systems, with important applications in high tempertaure furnaces.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
Linnaeite Group and Thiospinel Group.
Strongly magnetic.
Iron thiospinel occurs always in small crystals to 0.03 mm and as an X-ray amorphous colloidal precipitate from an iron sulfide gel known as the melnikovite of Doss.
Greigite is metastable with respect to pyrite and marcasite.
Strongly magnetic.
Iron thiospinel occurs always in small crystals to 0.03 mm and as an X-ray amorphous colloidal precipitate from an iron sulfide gel known as the melnikovite of Doss.
Greigite is metastable with respect to pyrite and marcasite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1747
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1747:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
4c48ad54-4952-4b62-811a-57146e54edcb
IMA Classification of Greigite
Approved
First published:
1964
Classification of Greigite
2.DA.05
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
D : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 3 :4 and 2:3
A : M:S = 3:4
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
D : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 3 :4 and 2:3
A : M:S = 3:4
2.10.1.10
2 : SULFIDES
10 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 3:4
2 : SULFIDES
10 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 3:4
3.9.5
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
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
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 |
---|---|---|
Grg | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Grg | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Grg | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Physical Properties of Greigite
Metallic, Earthy
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
metallic pinkish, tarnishing to a metallic blue, sooty black when amorphous
Streak:
black
Hardness:
4 - 4½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN50=401 - 423 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Density:
4.049 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.079 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Greigite
Type:
Isotropic
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R |
---|---|
400nm | 30.5% |
440nm | 31.7% |
480nm | 32.7% |
520nm | 33.6% |
560nm | 34.7% |
600nm | 35.9% |
640nm | 37.1% |
680nm | 38.1% |
700nm | 38.7% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 38.7%.
Colour in reflected light:
Pale creamy white
Chemistry of Greigite
Mindat Formula:
Fe2+Fe3+2S4
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Cu,Ni,Zn,Mn,Cr,Sb,As
Crystallography of Greigite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Fd3m
Setting:
Fd3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.876 Å
Unit Cell V:
963.26 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Balls of intergrown octahedra, cubes, granular
Crystal Structure
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0000127 | Greigite | Skinner B J, Erd R C, Grimaldi F S (1964) Greigite, the thio-spinel of iron; a new mineral American Mineralogist 49 543-555 | 1964 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
2.980 Å | (100) |
1.746 Å | (77) |
2.470 Å | (55) |
3.498 Å | (32) |
1.008 Å | (31) |
1.901 Å | (29) |
1.105 Å | (16) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration | 4.566-4.550 |
6 : Secondary asteroid phases | 4.566-4.560 |
Near-surface Processes | |
25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) | |
Stage 6: Anoxic biosphere | <4.0 |
44 : Anoxic microbially mediated minerals (see also #44) | |
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44) | <0.54 |
Geological Setting:
Lacustrine beds, hydrothermal veins
Type Occurrence of Greigite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Smithsonian
Reference:
Skinner, B.J., Erd, R.C., Grimaldi, F.S. (1964) Greigite, the thio-spinel of iron, a new mineral. American Mineralogist: 49: 543-555.
Synonyms of Greigite
Other Language Names for Greigite
Relationship of Greigite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Cadmoindite | CdIn2S4 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m |
Cuprorhodsite | (Cu1+0.5Fe3+0.5)Rh3+2S4 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m |
Daubréelite | Fe2+Cr3+2S4 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m |
Grimmite | NiCo2S4 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m |
Indite | FeIn2S4 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m |
Joegoldsteinite | MnCr2S4 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m |
Kalininite | ZnCr2S4 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m |
Linnaeite | Co2+Co3+2S4 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m |
Polydymite | Ni2+Ni3+2S4 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m |
Siegenite | CoNi2S4 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m |
Tarkianite | (Cu,Fe)(Re,Mo)4S8 | Iso. 4 3m : F4 3m |
Violarite | Fe2+Ni3+2S4 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m |
Xingzhongite | Pb2+Ir3+2S4 | Iso. |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
6 photos of Greigite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
3 photos of Greigite associated with Peretaite | Ca(SbO)4(SO4)2(OH)2 · 2H2O |
3 photos of Greigite associated with Klebelsbergite | Sb4O4(SO4)(OH)2 |
3 photos of Greigite associated with Stibnite | Sb2S3 |
2 photos of Greigite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
1 photo of Greigite associated with Aragonite | CaCO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
2.DA. | Zaykovite | Rh3Se4 |
2.DA. | Grimmite | NiCo2S4 |
2.DA. | Zolenskyite | FeCr2S4 |
2.DA. | Ezochiite | Cu+(Rh3+Pt4+)S4 |
2.DA. | Ferrodimolybdenite | FeMo2S4 |
2.DA.05 | Bornhardtite | Co2+Co3+2Se4 |
2.DA.05 | Carrollite | CuCo2S4 |
2.DA.05 | Cuproiridsite | (Cu,Fe)Ir2S4 |
2.DA.05 | Cuprorhodsite | (Cu1+0.5Fe3+0.5)Rh3+2S4 |
2.DA.05 | Daubréelite | Fe2+Cr3+2S4 |
2.DA.05 | Fletcherite | CuNi2S4 |
2.DA.05 | Florensovite | (Cu,Zn)Cr1.5Sb0.5S4 |
2.DA.05 | Indite | FeIn2S4 |
2.DA.05 | Kalininite | ZnCr2S4 |
2.DA.05 | Linnaeite | Co2+Co3+2S4 |
2.DA.05 | Malanite | Cu1+(Ir3+Pt4+)S4 |
2.DA.05 | Polydymite | Ni2+Ni3+2S4 |
2.DA.05 | Siegenite | CoNi2S4 |
2.DA.05 | Trüstedtite | Ni3Se4 |
2.DA.05 | Tyrrellite | Cu(Co3+,Ni3+)2Se4 |
2.DA.05 | Violarite | Fe2+Ni3+2S4 |
2.DA.05 | Xingzhongite | Pb2+Ir3+2S4 |
2.DA.05 | Cadmoindite | CdIn2S4 |
2.DA.05 | Cuprokalininite | CuCr2S4 |
2.DA.05 | Joegoldsteinite | MnCr2S4 |
2.DA.05 | Nickeltyrrellite | CuNi2Se4 |
2.DA.05 | Shiranuiite | Cu+(Rh3+Rh4+)S4 |
2.DA.10 | Rhodostannite | Cu1+(Fe2+0.5Sn4+1.5)S4 |
2.DA.10 | Toyohaite | Ag1+(Fe2+0.5Sn4+1.5)S4 |
2.DA.15 | Brezinaite | Cr3S4 |
2.DA.15 | Heideite | (Fe,Cr)1.15(Ti,Fe)2S4 |
2.DA.20 | Inaglyite | Cu3Pb(Ir,Pt)8S16 |
2.DA.20 | Konderite | Cu3Pb(Rh,Pt,Ir)8S16 |
2.DA.25 | Kingstonite | (Rh,Ir,Pt)3S4 |
Other Information
Magnetism:
Ferrimagnetic
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Greigite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1747.html
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References for Greigite
Reference List:
Schoonen, M. A. A., Barnes, H. L. (1991) Reactions forming pyrite and marcasite from solution: II. Via FeS precursors below 100°C. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 55 (6) 1505-1514 doi:10.1016/0016-7037(91)90123-m
Gibbs, G. V., Cox, D. F., Rosso, K. M., Ross, N. L., Downs, R. T., Spackman, M. A. (2007) Theoretical Electron Density Distributions for Fe- and Cu-Sulfide Earth Materials: A Connection between Bond Length, Bond Critical Point Properties, Local Energy Densities, and Bonded Interactions. The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 111 (8). 1923-1931 doi:10.1021/jp065086i
Localities for Greigite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Albania | |
| inferences on processes of formation. The Canadian Mineralogist (April 2003) +1 other reference |
Antarctica | |
| El Gorsey et al. (1988) |
| Agusto et al. (2004) |
Argentina | |
| MARQUEZ-ZAVALIA |
| Paar et al. (2016) |
Singer et al. (2009) | |
| Coira et al. (1995) |
| de Brodtkorb +2 other references |
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Firstova et al. (2016) |
Maslennikov et al. (2023) | |
Australia | |
| Gilligan et al. (1992) |
| Kitto |
Austria | |
| C.Auer (2013) |
Belgium | |
| Hatert et al. (2002) |
Jedwab (1967) +2 other references | |
| H. Kucha et al. |
Bulgaria | |
| ATANASSOVA +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Menard et al. (1996) |
| Dr. Robert C. Smith |
| 166-175. +2 other references |
Chile | |
| Popova et al. (1986) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Yunsheng Ren et al. (2005) |
Hongyang Li et al. (2010) | |
| Junwu Lu and Yuanfa Xia (2001) |
| El Gorsey et al. (1988) |
| Dong et al. (2013) |
| Zhongling Wang (1987) |
| Fu et al. (2016) |
| Feng et al. (2022) |
Costa Rica | |
| Rodríguez et al. (2017) |
Czech Republic | |
| Beran +3 other references |
Ethiopia | |
| Cook et al. (2000) |
Finland | |
| Paakkola |
France | |
| R. Pierrot |
| Picot et al. (1977) |
| M.Deliens et al. (2004) |
| Lièvre et al. (2002) |
Gabon | |
| Lheur et al. (2001) |
Germany | |
| Krupp (1989) |
Hungary | |
| |
| |
Italy | |
| Garavelli et al. (1971) +1 other reference |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Brizzi et al. (1995) |
| Bertolin et al. (1995) |
Japan | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Middle East | |
Gross (1977) | |
North Macedonia | |
| Radusinović (1966) |
Poland | |
| Kucha H. et al. (NE Poland) |
Russia | |
| Belogub et al. (2008) |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data (2011) |
| Safina et al. (2015) |
| Chang et al. (2014) |
| Gonevchuk et al. (2005) |
| Sharygin et al. (2014) |
| American Mineralogist +1 other reference |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Duda |
| Duda et. all. |
| Ďuďa |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Junge et al. (2014) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
UK | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... +1 other reference |
Ukraine | |
| Geologiya SSSR (The geology of USSR) |
USA | |
| Committee et al. (1989) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| www.mineralsocal.org |
Cal Div of Mines & Geology "Mineral ... | |
Wise et al. (1988) | |
Wise et al. (1988) +1 other reference | |
| Am Min 49:543-555 |
| Skinner et al. (1964) |
| Am Min 57:1303-1304 |
| Sherwood et al. (1998) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
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Dybryn U deposit, Vitim Plateau, Baunt District, Buryatia, Russia