Qusongite is an extremely rare mineral with the simple formula WC, which shows the mineral to be a naturally occurring tungsten carbide. It was found in Luobusa ophiolite, China. This ophiolite is known for many natural reduced compounds, including native metals, diamond, silicides and carbides (e.g., moissanite, natural silicon carbide). Qusongite crystallizes in the hexagonal system, with space group P-6m2.[3][4][5]
Qusongite | |
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General | |
Category | Native element minerals |
Formula (repeating unit) | WC |
IMA symbol | Qus[1] |
Strunz classification | 1.BA.25 |
Crystal system | Hexagonal |
Crystal class | Ditrigonal dipyramidal (6m2) H-M symbol: (6 m2) |
Space group | P6m2 |
Unit cell | a = 2.902, c = 2.831 [Å]; Z = 1 |
Identification | |
Color | black, steel grey |
References | [2] |
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ Mindat
- ^ Fang, Q., Bai, W., Yang, J., Xu, X., Li, G., Shi, N., Xiong, M., and Rong, H., 2009. Qusongite (WC): A new mineral. American Mineralogist 94(2-3), 387-390.
- ^ "Qusongite: Qusongite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
- ^ "Luobusha ophiolite ("Luobusa ophiolite"), Qusum Co. (Qusong Co.), Shannan Prefecture (Lhokha Prefecture; Lhoka Prefecture), Tibet Autonomous Region, China - Mindat.org". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-04.