Nickelblödite is a rare nickel sulfate mineral with the formula Na2Ni(SO4)2·4H2O.[2][4] Nickelblödite was discovered in nickel mines in Carr Boyd Rocks and Kambalda, Western Australia.[2] The mineral is a nickel-analogue of blödite, changoite, cobaltoblödite and manganoblödite - other representatives of the blödite group.[4]

Nickelblödite
A crust of greenish nickelblödite on gossan; obtained from dealer at the Minerant (mineral show of the MKA) 2016
General
CategorySulfate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Na2Ni(SO4)2·4H2O
IMA symbolNblö[1]
Strunz classification7.CC.50
Dana classification29.3.3.2
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP21/a
Unit cella = 10.87, b = 8.07
c = 5.46 [Å]; β = 100.43°; Z = 2
Identification
ColorPale yellowish-green to pale green
Crystal habitFlat crystallites
DiaphaneityTranslucent
Specific gravity2.43 (calculated)
Optical propertiesBiaxal (-)
Refractive indexnα=1.50-1.51, nβ=1.51-1.52, nγ=1.51-1.52 (approximated)
Common impuritiesMg, Fe
References[2][3][4]

Nickelblödite contains small admixtures of magnesium and iron.[3]

Minerals associating with nickelblödite include violarite, morenosite, halite, pyrite, and siderite.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ a b c Nickel, E.W., and Bridge, P.J., 1977. Nickelblödite, Na2Ni(SO4)2·4H2O, a new mineral from Western Australia. Mineralogical Magazine 41, 37-41
  3. ^ a b c "Nickelblödite - Handbook of Mineralogy" (PDF). Handbookofmineralogy.org. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  4. ^ a b c "Nickelblödite: Nickelblödite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-11.