Pararammelsbergite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Pararammelsbergite
Formula:
NiAs2
Colour:
Silver-white
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
5½
Specific Gravity:
7.12
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1940 by Martin Alfred Peacock and Alexander Stewart Dadson from the Greek παρά = beyond and rammelsbergite, because of its relationship to the root mineral.
Co-Type Localities:
ⓘ Hudson Bay Mine, Coleman Township, Cobalt area, Cobalt-Gowganda region, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada
ⓘ Moose Horn Mine, James Township, Elk Lake area, Cobalt-Gowganda region, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada
ⓘ Keeley-Frontier Mine, South Lorrain Township, Cobalt-Gowganda region, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada
ⓘ Moose Horn Mine, James Township, Elk Lake area, Cobalt-Gowganda region, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada
ⓘ Keeley-Frontier Mine, South Lorrain Township, Cobalt-Gowganda region, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada
Polymorph of:
The low-temperature polymorph of NiAs2.
The crystal structure is transitional between the marcasite and pyrite structures (Fleet, 1972).
Compare, e.g., the (now approved / redefined) dienerite.
Peacock (1940) gives a summary of the early history and confusion surrounding the identity and naming of the species.
The crystal structure is transitional between the marcasite and pyrite structures (Fleet, 1972).
Compare, e.g., the (now approved / redefined) dienerite.
Peacock (1940) gives a summary of the early history and confusion surrounding the identity and naming of the species.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3106
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3106:2
IMA Classification of Pararammelsbergite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1940
Classification of Pararammelsbergite
2.EB.10e
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
B : M:S = 1:2, with Fe, Co, Ni, PGE, etc.
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
B : M:S = 1:2, with Fe, Co, Ni, PGE, etc.
2.12.5.1
2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
3.11.29
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
11 : Sulphides etc. of Ni
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
11 : Sulphides etc. of Ni
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prmb | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Pararammelsbergite
Metallic
Colour:
Silver-white
Streak:
Greyish black
Hardness:
5½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=681 - 830 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Density:
7.12 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.24 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Pararammelsbergite
Anisotropism:
Strong, in russet-brown, brown, yellow, gray.
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 57.3% | 57.7% |
| 420nm | 57.7% | 57.9% |
| 440nm | 58.1% | 58.1% |
| 460nm | 58.6% | 58.4% |
| 480nm | 58.9% | 58.7% |
| 500nm | 59.1% | 59.0% |
| 520nm | 59.1% | 59.2% |
| 540nm | 59.0% | 59.6% |
| 560nm | 58.8% | 60.0% |
| 580nm | 58.7% | 60.4% |
| 600nm | 58.5% | 60.7% |
| 620nm | 58.2% | 60.9% |
| 640nm | 58.0% | 61.1% |
| 660nm | 57.8% | 61.2% |
| 680nm | 57.6% | 61.3% |
| 700nm | 57.4% | 61.3% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 61.3%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Pure white
Chemistry of Pararammelsbergite
Mindat Formula:
NiAs2
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Co,Cu,S
Crystallography of Pararammelsbergite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbca
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.753(6) Å, b = 5.799(6) Å, c = 11.407(9) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.992 : 1 : 1.967
Unit Cell V:
380.56 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Twinning:
Not observed.
Comment:
From Fleet (1972).
Crystallographic forms of Pararammelsbergite
Crystal Atlas:
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Pararammelsbergite - Tabular {001}
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Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000267 | Pararammelsbergite | Fleet M E (1972) The crystal structure of pararammelsbergite (NiAs2) American Mineralogist 57 1-9 |  | 1972 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012153 | Pararammelsbergite | Stassen W N, Heyding R D (1968) Crystal structures of RuSe2, OsSe2, PtAs2, and alpha-NiAs2 Canadian Journal of Chemistry 46 2159-2163 | 1968 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.855 Å | (50) |
| 2.827 Å | (48) |
| 2.602 Å | (45) |
| 2.559 Å | (100) |
| 2.541 Å | (45) |
| 2.521 Å | (96) |
| 2.371 Å | (67) |
| 2.337 Å | (67) |
| 1.821 Å | (52) |
| 1.741 Å | (66) |
| 1.533 Å | (45) |
| 1.380 Å | (45) |
Comments:
Synthetic. The data are from Bennett and Heyding (1966).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Type Occurrence of Pararammelsbergite
Co-Type Localities:
ⓘ Hudson Bay Mine, Coleman Township, Cobalt area, Cobalt-Gowganda region, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada
ⓘ Moose Horn Mine, James Township, Elk Lake area, Cobalt-Gowganda region, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada
ⓘ Keeley-Frontier Mine, South Lorrain Township, Cobalt-Gowganda region, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada
ⓘ Moose Horn Mine, James Township, Elk Lake area, Cobalt-Gowganda region, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada
ⓘ Keeley-Frontier Mine, South Lorrain Township, Cobalt-Gowganda region, Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada
General Appearance of Type Material:
Massive, in part minutely crystallized.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, numbers M11772a-c, M14242, and M12411 (cotype).
Other Language Names for Pararammelsbergite
Dutch:Pararammelsbergiet
German:Pararammelsbergit
Russian:Парараммельсбергит
Simplified Chinese:副斜方砷镍矿
Spanish:Pararammelsbergita
Relationship of Pararammelsbergite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Löllingite Group:
| Alloclasite | Co1-xFexAsS | Mon. 2 : P21 |
| Anduoite | (Ru,Os)As2 | Orth. |
| Clinosafflorite | CoAs2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Costibite | CoSbS | Orth. mm2 : Pmn21 |
| Löllingite | FeAs2 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm |
| Nisbite | NiSb2 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm |
| Oenite | CoSbAs | Orth. |
| Omeiite | (Os,Ru)As2 | Orth. |
| Paracostibite | CoSbS | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca |
| Rammelsbergite | NiAs2 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm |
| Safflorite | (Co,Ni,Fe)As2 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm |
| UM1998-01-AsSb:CoFeNi | (Fe,Ni)SbAs |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 35 photos of Pararammelsbergite associated with Rammelsbergite | NiAs2 |
| 33 photos of Pararammelsbergite associated with Nickeline | NiAs |
| 21 photos of Pararammelsbergite associated with Magnetite | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
| 20 photos of Pararammelsbergite associated with Nickelskutterudite | NiAs3 |
| 16 photos of Pararammelsbergite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 13 photos of Pararammelsbergite associated with Annabergite | Ni3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 11 photos of Pararammelsbergite associated with Safflorite | (Co,Ni,Fe)As2 |
| 8 photos of Pararammelsbergite associated with Domeykite | Cu3As |
| 8 photos of Pararammelsbergite associated with Löllingite | FeAs2 |
| 6 photos of Pararammelsbergite associated with Gersdorffite | NiAsS |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.EB. | Selenolaurite | RuSe2 |
| 2.EB. | Andrieslombaardite | RhSbS |
| 2.EB. | Iridarsenite | (Ir,Ru)As2 |
| 2.EB. | Kanatzidisite | (SbBiS3)2Te2 |
| 2.EB.05a | Vaesite | NiS2 |
| 2.EB.05a | Hauerite | MnS2 |
| 2.EB.05a | Laurite | RuS2 |
| 2.EB.05a | Gaotaiite | Ir3Te8 |
| 2.EB.05a | Penroseite | (Ni,Co,Cu)Se2 |
| 2.EB.05a | Fukuchilite | Cu3FeS8 |
| 2.EB.05a | Villamanínite | (Cu,Ni,Co,Fe)S2 |
| 2.EB.05a | Erlichmanite | OsS2 |
| 2.EB.05a | Sperrylite | PtAs2 |
| 2.EB.05a | Geversite | PtSb2 |
| 2.EB.05a | Cattierite | CoS2 |
| 2.EB.05a | Aurostibite | AuSb2 |
| 2.EB.05a | Trogtalite | CoSe2 |
| 2.EB.05a v | Cayeuxite | |
| 2.EB.05a | Kruťaite | CuSe2 |
| 2.EB.05a | Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 2.EB.05a | Insizwaite | Pt(Bi,Sb)2 |
| 2.EB.05b | Bambollaite | Cu(Se,Te)2 |
| 2.EB.05a | Dzharkenite | FeSe2 |
| 2.EB.10a | Marcasite | FeS2 |
| 2.EB.10e | Paracostibite | CoSbS |
| 2.EB.10f | Oenite | CoSbAs |
| 2.EB.10a | Mattagamite | CoTe2 |
| 2.EB.10a | Frohbergite | FeTe2 |
| 2.EB.10d | Costibite | CoSbS |
| 2.EB.10b | Alloclasite | Co1-xFexAsS |
| 2.EB.10c | Glaucodot | (Co0.50Fe0.50)AsS |
| 2.EB.10a | Petříčekite | CuSe2 |
| 2.EB.10a | Kullerudite | NiSe2 |
| 2.EB.10a | Ferroselite | FeSe2 |
| 2.EB.15b | Seinäjokite | FeSb2 |
| 2.EB.15a | Rammelsbergite | NiAs2 |
| 2.EB.15a | Clinosafflorite | CoAs2 |
| 2.EB.15c | Paxite | CuAs2 |
| 2.EB.15a | Nisbite | NiSb2 |
| 2.EB.15a | Löllingite | FeAs2 |
| 2.EB.15a | Safflorite | (Co,Ni,Fe)As2 |
| 2.EB.15a | Omeiite | (Os,Ru)As2 |
| 2.EB.15a | Anduoite | (Ru,Os)As2 |
| 2.EB.20 | Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
| 2.EB.20 | Ruarsite | (Ru,Os)AsS |
| 2.EB.20 | Osarsite | (Os,Ru)AsS |
| 2.EB.20 | Gudmundite | FeSbS |
| 2.EB.25 | Mayingite | IrBiTe |
| 2.EB.25 | Maslovite | PtBiTe |
| 2.EB.25 | Paragersdorffite | Ni(As,S)2 |
| 2.EB.25 | Orthogersdorffite | NiAsS |
| 2.EB.25 | Jolliffeite | NiAsSe |
| 2.EB.25 | Cobaltite | CoAsS |
| 2.EB.25 | Guixiangite | NiBiS |
| 2.EB.25 | Testibiopalladite | PdSbTe |
| 2.EB.25 va | Antimony-bearing Gersdorffite | Ni(As,Sb)S |
| 2.EB.25 | Kalungaite | PdAsSe |
| 2.EB.25 | Hollingworthite | (Rh,Pt,Pd)AsS |
| 2.EB.25 | Michenerite | PdBiTe |
| 2.EB.25 | Gersdorffite | NiAsS |
| 2.EB.25 | Milotaite | PdSbSe |
| 2.EB.25 | Tolovkite | IrSbS |
| 2.EB.25 | Platarsite | Pt(As,S)2 |
| 2.EB.25 | Willyamite | CoSbS |
| 2.EB.25 | Changchengite | IrBiS |
| 2.EB.25 | Kvačekite | NiSbSe |
| 2.EB.25 | Krutovite | NiAs2 |
| 2.EB.25 | Padmaite | PdBiSe |
| 2.EB.25 | Ullmannite | NiSbS |
| 2.EB.25 | Irarsite | (Ir,Ru,Rh,Pt)AsS |
| 2.EB.30 | Urvantsevite | Pd(Bi,Pb)2 |
| 2.EB.35 | Rheniite | ReS2 |
Other Information
Notes:
Etch reactions:
HNO3, effervesces and etches rapidly brown to black.
FeCl, etches quickly light to dark brown, bringing out the texture.
HgCl2, slowly gives a brown to iridescent stain which does not rub off.
HCl, KCN, KOH, negative.
In air saturated with water vapour etching is already perceptible after four hours; in twelve hours the surface is deeply etched; after a week white and green bloom are formed. Pararammelsbergite appears to decompose more rapidly than rammelsbergite in moist air.
HNO3, effervesces and etches rapidly brown to black.
FeCl, etches quickly light to dark brown, bringing out the texture.
HgCl2, slowly gives a brown to iridescent stain which does not rub off.
HCl, KCN, KOH, negative.
In air saturated with water vapour etching is already perceptible after four hours; in twelve hours the surface is deeply etched; after a week white and green bloom are formed. Pararammelsbergite appears to decompose more rapidly than rammelsbergite in moist air.
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 Pararammelsbergite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3106.html
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External Links:
References for Pararammelsbergite
Reference List:
Peacock, M. A., Dadson, A. S. (1940) On rammelsbergite and parammelsbergite: Distinct forms of nickel diarsenide. American Mineralogist, 25 (9) 561-577
Fleet, M. E. (1972) The crystal structure of pararammelsbergite (NiAs2) American Mineralogist, 57 (1-2) 1-9
Localities for Pararammelsbergite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Austria | |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Haditsch (1964) +1 other reference |
| Schachinger et al. (2017) |
| Strasser (1989) +1 other reference |
Azerbaijan | |
| Anthony et al. (1990) |
Bulgaria | |
| Georgiev (2008) |
Canada | |
| Anthony et al. (1990) |
| ntgomap.nwtgeoscience.ca (2015) |
| Wallace et al. (2025) |
| 159-161. +1 other reference |
| PEACOCK (1939) +2 other references |
| R.Mielke 2009 | |
| Traill (1983) | |
| the Canadian Mineralogist V 11 Part 1 ... | |
| Mielke (n.d.) | |
| Richard Gunter +2 other references | |
| PEACOCK et al. (1940) +2 other references |
| Can Mineral December 1971 v. 11 no. 1 ... |
| Mielke (n.d.) |
| Reiner Mielke 2014 | |
| PEACOCK (1939) +2 other references |
| Girard (1971) |
| Canadian Mineralogist Vol.26 (1988) |
| Rich et al. (1977) | |
China | |
| Yongrui Zhao and Yunqing Zhen (2006) |
| Yongrui Zhao and Yunqing Zhen (2006) | |
Czech Republic | |
| Anthony et al. (1990) |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) |
France | |
| Bari (1982) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Lheur (2023) |
| Inventaire Mineralogique de la France ... |
| De Ascenção Guedes et al. (2002) |
| Wahbi et al. (1973) | |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Wagner et al. (2002) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| |
| Krupp (1989) |
| Krupp (1989) |
| Hajek (2010) |
| Wittern (2001) | |
Iran | |
| Anthony et al. (1990) |
| Anthony et al. (1990) | |
Ireland | |
| Yesares +9 other references |
Japan | |
| Ishiyama (1982) |
Morocco | |
| Econ Geol (1997) +1 other reference |
Poland | |
| Pieczka et al. (2009) |
| Piestrzyński et al. (2012) | |
Romania | |
| Săbău et al. (2023) |
Russia | |
| Pekov I.V. et al. (2010) |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Halahyjová-Andrusovová G. et al. (in Slovak) |
| Mikuš T. et al. (Western Carpathians) +3 other references |
Spain | |
| Fanlo et al. (2006) +2 other references |
| Calvo (2008) |
| Joan Abella i Creus (Joanabellacreus@gmail.com) |
Sweden | |
| Dr. Günter Grundmann collection |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
| Stalder et al. (1998) +1 other reference | |
UK | |
| Technical Report TR-02-09 (March 2002) |
USA | |
| Wenrich (1988) +1 other reference |
| Gornitz (2004) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Sims (1963) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Wilson et al. (1992) |
| Oen et al. (1984) +1 other reference |
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Lainijaur Mine, Malå, Västerbotten County, Sweden