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Smythite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About SmythiteHide

07757810015108807646200.jpg
Charles H. Smyth, Jr.
Formula:
(Fe,Ni)3+xS4 (x=0-0.3)
Colour:
brownish black, bronze-yellow
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
Specific Gravity:
4.32
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named by Richard C. Erd, Howard T. Evans, Jr., and Donald H. Richter in 1957 in honor of Charles Henry Smyth, Jr. (31 March 1866, Oswego, New York, USA - 4 April 1937, Princeton, New Jersey, USA), Professor of Economic Geology, Princeton University, New Jersey, USA.
Pyrrhotite Group.

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


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
3691
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3691:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
9d7c0356-bae4-4df4-82b8-ebbb6d028d59

IMA Classification of SmythiteHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(Fe,Ni)3+xS4 (x ≈ 0-0.3)
First published:
1956

Classification of SmythiteHide

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.
2.8.10.2

2 : SULFIDES
8 : AmXp, with m:p = 1:1
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

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
SytIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of SmythiteHide

Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
brownish black, bronze-yellow
Comment:
Black with tinge of brown against a white surface; bronze yellow reflections from {0001}
Streak:
dark gray
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{0001)
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Comment:
Flexible and elastic in thin lamellae
Density:
4.32 g/cm3 (Measured)    4.32 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Taylor and Williams (1972) in their redefinition of Smythite say both measured and calculated densities are ~4.32, replacing the older value of 4.06

Optical Data of SmythiteHide

Anisotropism:
Strong with yellow and blue-grey interference colors
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
Greyish yellow to reddish brown
Comments:
Tends to be free of inclusions or intergrowths; strongly resembles pyrrhotite

Chemistry of SmythiteHide

Mindat Formula:
(Fe,Ni)3+xS4 (x=0-0.3)

Crystallography of SmythiteHide

Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.465 Å, c = 34.34 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 9.911
Unit Cell V:
357.06 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
Thin pseudohexagonal plates [0001] and "a rhombohedron". Crystals are so thin at the type locality than the prism was not observed. Twinning common producing warped hexagonal plates. Impossible to visually distinguish at the type locality, and nearby locations, from pyrrhotite with which it is constantly associated (Erd et al., 1957).
Comment:
Also given as 3.47, 34.50 A. Z=1 (ICDD 25-1182)

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0000080SmythiteErd R C, Evans H T, Richter D H (1957) Smythite, a new iron sulfide, and associated pyrrhotite from Indiana American Mineralogist 42 309-33319570293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
11.5 Å(100)
5.75 Å(17)
3.833 Å(7)
2.994 Å(31)
2.961 Å(6)
2.755 Å(5)
2.566 Å(25)
2.266 Å(15)
2.170 Å(17)
1.989 Å(14)
1.906 Å(11)
1.735 Å(17)
1.716 Å(2)
1.682 Å(2)
1.501 Å(2)
1.438 Å(3)
1.355 Å(2)
1.308 Å(2)
1.107 Å(4)
1.044 Å(2)
Comments:
ICDD 25-1182

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration4.566-4.550
6 : Secondary asteroid phases4.566-4.560
High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])

Type Occurrence of SmythiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Minute flakes in calcite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
1) Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 106149.
2) National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 112704.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Inclusions in calcite crystals in quartz geodes in limestone.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Erd, R.C., Evans, H.T. (1956) The compound Fe3S4 (smythite) found in nature. Journal of the American Chemical Society: 78: 2017-2017.

Other Language Names for SmythiteHide

German:Smythit
Russian:Смизит
Simplified Chinese:菱硫铁矿
Spanish:Smythita

Relationship of Smythite to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of this group:
PyrrhotiteFe1-xSMon.
TroiliteFeSHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
21 photos of Smythite associated with QuartzSiO2
14 photos of Smythite associated with WhewelliteCa(C2O4) · H2O
12 photos of Smythite associated with CalciteCaCO3
10 photos of Smythite associated with BaryteBaSO4
7 photos of Smythite associated with DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
6 photos of Smythite associated with SideriteFeCO3
3 photos of Smythite associated with PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
2 photos of Smythite associated with SymplesiteFe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
2 photos of Smythite associated with ParasymplesiteFe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
1 photo of Smythite associated with GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.CC.TilkerodeitePd2HgSe3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.CC.UM2007-26-S:CuFeIrNiPtRh(Ir,Cu,Ni,Pt,Rh,Fe)9S11
2.CC.Crowningshieldite(Ni0.9Fe0.10)SHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
2.CC.EliopoulositeV7S8Trig. 3 2 : P32 2 1
2.CC.KuvaeviteIr5Ni10S16Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
2.CC.TorryweiseriteRh5Ni10S16Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
2.CC.TamuraiteIr5Fe10S16Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
2.CC.FerrotorryweiseriteRh5Fe10S16Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
2.CC.05AchávaliteFeSeHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
2.CC.05BreithauptiteNiSbHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
2.CC.05FrebolditeCoSeHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
2.CC.05KotulskitePd(Te,Bi)2-x (x ≈ 0.4)Hex.
2.CC.05LangisiteCoAsHex. 6 : P63
2.CC.05NickelineNiAsHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mcm
2.CC.05Sederholmitebeta-NiSeHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
2.CC.05SobolevskitePdBiHex.
2.CC.05StumpflitePtSbHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
2.CC.05SudburyitePdSbHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
2.CC.05JaipuriteCoSHex.
2.CC.05ZlatogoriteNiCuSb2Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3 1m
2.CC.10PyrrhotiteFe1-xSMon.
2.CC.10TroiliteFeSHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
2.CC.15CherepanoviteRhAsOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
2.CC.15Modderite(Co,Fe)AsOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
2.CC.15Ruthenarsenite(Ru,Ni)AsOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
2.CC.15Westerveldite(Fe,Ni,Co)AsOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
2.CC.15MinakawaiteRhSbOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
2.CC.20MilleriteNiSTrig. 3m : R3m
2.CC.20Mäkineniteγ-NiSeTrig. 3m
2.CC.20UM1990-38-S:CuFeIrNiPtRh(Ni,Fe,Rh,Cu,Ir,Pt)S
2.CC.25MackinawiteFeSTet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm
2.CC.30Hexatestibiopanickelite(Pd,Ni)(Sb,Te) ?Hex.
2.CC.30VavříniteNi2SbTe2Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
2.CC.35aBraggitePdPt3S4Tet. 4/m : P42/m
2.CC.35bCooperitePtSTet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P42/mmc
2.CC.35aVysotskitePdSTet. 4/m : P42/m
2.CC.45JacutingaitePt2HgSe3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.CC.50ImgreiteNiTe (?)Hex.

Fluorescence of SmythiteHide

Not fluorescent.

Other InformationHide

Magnetism:
Ferromagnetic
Thermal Behaviour:
Heating at 400° C changed smythite to pyrrhotite in 18 hours; at lower temperature (290° C) smythite was a mixture of smythite + pyrrhotite in the same time.
Notes:
Strongly ferromagnetic
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Easily rusts/oxidises to goethite when exposed to water or moist air although pyrrhotite tarnished and pitted sooner than smythite; crystals in calcite tend to be unoxidised and stable.
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 SmythiteHide

References for SmythiteHide

Localities for SmythiteHide

This 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.

Locality ListHide

- 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.
Antarctica
 
  • Eastern Antarctica
    • Queen Maud Land
      • Queen Fabiola Mts
El Gorsey et al. (1988)
Australia
 
  • Queensland
    • Cloncurry Shire
      • Rosebud Station
        • Mary Kathleen district
Riley (1980)
  • Western Australia
    • Coolgardie Shire
      • Spargoville
Marston (1984)
      • Widgiemooltha
Nickel et al. (1994)
    • Kalgoorlie-Boulder Shire
      • Broad Arrow Goldfield
        • Bardoc
Marston (1984)
Botswana
 
  • Central District
    • Selebi-Phikwe
      • Selebi-Phikwe belt (Selbi-Pikwe)
Brotherton (1979)
Bulgaria
 
  • Haskovo Province
    • Ivaylovgrad Municipality
      • Ivaylovgrad
Kerestedjian (1997)
Canada
 
  • Manitoba
    • Lac-du-Bonnet area
Canadian Mineralogist +2 other references
Menard et al. (1996)
  • Ontario
    • Kenora District
      • Kapkichi Lake Area
Can Mineral 1984 22: 13-21
    • Rainy River District
Nickel (1972)
    • Thunder Bay District
      • Pays Plat Lake Area
Nickel (1972)
    • Timiskaming District
      • Cobalt-Gowganda region
159-161. +1 other reference
          • Coleman Township
Dana's New Mineralogy +4 other references
  • Québec
    • Abitibi-Témiscamingue
      • Rouyn-Noranda TE
Nickel (1972)
    • Montréal
176-178. +2 other references
  • Saskatchewan
    • Athabasca Basin
Reyx et al. (1993)
China
 
  • Gansu
    • Jinchang
      • Jinchuan District
Shimpei Kano et al. (1988)
  • Guizhou
    • Guiyang
      • Qingzhen County
El Gorsey et al. (1988)
  • Shaanxi
    • Hanzhong
      • Mian County
Xueming Wang et al. (2002)
Costa Rica
 
  • Guanacaste Province
    • Nicoya Canton
Schwarzenbach et al. (2014) +1 other reference
Czech Republic
 
  • Karlovy Vary Region
    • Karlovy Vary District
Lapis 2002 (7/8)
    • Sokolov District
Beran +3 other references
France
 
  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
    • Haute-Loire
      • Brioude
        • Saint-Cirgues
Pélisson (1989)
  • Brittany
    • Finistère
      • Quimper
        • Edern
Chauris (2014)
    • Morbihan
      • Lorient
Chauris (2014)
  • Grand Est
    • Haut-Rhin
      • Thann-Guebwiller
        • Kruth
Kolitsch (1997)
  • Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
    • Alpes-Maritimes
      • Nice
        • Saint-Martin-Vésubie
          • Le Boréon
R. Pierrot
Germany
 
  • Baden-Württemberg
    • Freiburg Region
      • Ortenaukreis
        • Haslach im Kinzigtal
          • Steinach
Walenta (1998)
        • Oberwolfach
Walenta (1992)
      • Waldshut
        • Dachsberg
          • Urberg
Walenta (1992)
  • Lower Saxony
    • Goslar District
      • Braunlage
        • St Andreasberg
Weiß (1990)
  • Rhineland-Palatinate
    • Donnersbergkreis
      • Nordpfälzer Land
        • Obermoschel
Krupp (1989)
  • Thuringia
    • Greiz District
Wolfgang Henckel
Ghana
 
  • Ashanti gold belt
    • Konongo
Milési et al. (1991)
Italy
 
  • Liguria
    • Genoa
      • Ne
415. +1 other reference
  • Piedmont
    • Metropolitan City of Turin
      • Balangero
Piccoli et al. (2007)
    • Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province
      • Formazza
Mattioli (1988) +1 other reference
  • Tuscany
    • Lucca Province
      • Seravezza
Orlandi et al. (1996) +1 other reference
      • Stazzema
        • Pontestazzemese
Orlandi et al. (2004)
    • Massa-Carrara Province
Orlandi et al. (1994) +1 other reference
        • Colonnata quarrying basin
Orlandi et al. (1994) +2 other references
Morino et al. (2016)
          • Colonnata
Orlandi et al. (2009)
        • Miseglia quarrying basin (Miseglia-Fantiscritti quarrying basin; Fantiscritti quarrying basin)
Morino et al. (2016)
Orlandi et al. (1989) +1 other reference
        • Torano quarrying basin
Morino et al. (2016)
Orlandi et al. (2009)
        • Casette
Orlandi et al. (2002)
Orlandi et al. (2002)
Japan
 
  • Gifu Prefecture
    • Hida City
specimen seen at Kyoto show
Yamada (2004)
  • Iwate Prefecture
    • Kamaishi City
Imai et al (1976)
Mongolia
 
  • Töv Province
Peretyazhko et al. (2017)
Norway
 
  • Nordland
    • Narvik
      • Ballangen
        • Håfjellet
Foslie (1950) +1 other reference
Poland
 
  • Lower Silesian Voivodeship
    • Karkonosze County
      • Gmina Stara Kamienica
Mochnacka et al. (2015)
Russia
 
  • Krasnoyarsk Krai
    • Taymyrskiy Autonomous Okrug
      • Taimyr Peninsula
        • Putoran Plateau
          • Noril'sk
            • Talnakh Cu-Ni Deposit
Kalugin et al. (2021)
  • Sakha
    • Northern Yakutia
      • Olenyok (Olenek) river basin
        • West Ukukit kimberlite field
Ashchepkov et al. (2021)
Senegal
 
  • Tambacounda Region
    • Falémé River basin
Schwartz et al. (2004)
Slovakia
 
  • Banská Bystrica Region
    • Poltár District
Koděra (1986)
  • Žilina Region
    • Ružomberok District
      • Likavka
Martin Števko-unpublished
Sri Lanka
 
  • North Central Province
    • Anuradhapura District
Samarakoon et al. (2021)
Switzerland
 
  • Solothurn
    • Gösgen
      • Trimbach
Stalder et al. (1998)
    • Lebern
      • Lommiswil
Stalder et al. (1998)
  • Ticino
    • Blenio
      • Blenio Valley
        • Camadra Valley
Stalder et al. (1998)
    • Leventina
      • Faido
        • Monte Piottino
Stalder et al. (1998)
  • Valais
    • Brig
      • Termen
Stalder et al. (1998) +1 other reference
    • Goms
      • Binn
        • Fäld
Stalder et al. (1998)
    • Leuk
      • Gampel-Bratsch
Rüegg et al. (2002) +1 other reference
    • Sierre
      • Anniviers
        • Ayer
Ansermet (2012)
    • Westlich Raron
Rüegg et al. (2002) +1 other reference
Ukraine
 
World of Stones v.9
    • Kerch Peninsula
      • Kerchenskyi (Fe)-ore basin
        • Kerchenskoe deposit
Arbuzov V.A. et al. (1967)
    • Sudak area
Alexander I. Tischenko (1996. Minerals of the Crimea - World of stones, 1996, #9, p. 9-18)
  • Odessa Oblast
    • Podilsk Raion
Bobrov et al. (2006, August) +1 other reference
USA
 
  • California
    • Kern County
      • Boron
Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 66 +3 other references
Represented in many Southern California ...
  • Colorado
    • Fremont County
      • Iron Mountain complex
Eckel et al. (1997)
  • Indiana
    • Jackson County
      • Medora
Rocks & Min.: 61: 145.
    • Monroe County
      • Bloomington
J.Chem.Soc. (1956) +1 other reference
Erd et al. (1960)
Erd et al. (1960)
American Mineralogist (1957) +1 other reference
Erd et al. (1960)
C. Boutry
      • Harrodsburg
Erd et al. (1960)
Dr. John Rakovan specimens.
  • Kentucky
    • Lincoln County
      • Halls Gap
Mineralogical Record +1 other reference
    • Nelson County
      • Frederickstown
Goldstein (2006)
    • Washington County
      • Springfield
Goldstein (2006)
  • New Jersey
    • Sussex County
      • Ogdensburg
        • Sterling Hill
www.njminerals.org (2001)
  • New York
    • Oneida County
      • Lairdsville
Erd
Zambia
 
  • Southern Province
    • Mazabuka District
      • Munali Intrusive Complex
Brotherton (1979)
Zimbabwe
 
  • Mashonaland West
    • Kadoma District
Brotherton (1979)
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
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