Nickeline
Nickeline, also known as niccolite, is a metallic mineral used as a Nickel ore and a minor ore of Arsenic. It is also prized by mineral collectors.
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Information about Nickeline
Nickeline, also known as niccolite, is a metallic mineral characterized by its bronze-red to pinkish metallic hue and tarnished surfaces that often exhibit an iridescent or brassy yellow appearance.
It typically occurs in massive or compact forms and less frequently in botryoidal or columnar shapes. Its metallic luster and distinctive colour make it visually striking and easily recognizable among sulphide minerals.
Nickeline is a member of the nickeline group, which includes other minerals:
- Achávalite
- Breithauptite
- Freboldite
- Kotulskite
- Langisite
- Nickeline
- Sederholmite
- Sobolevskite
- Stumpflite
- Sudburyite
- Vavřínite
- Zlatogorite
Uses and History
Nickeline can be used an ore of nickel. Unfortunately, the arsenic sometimes renders the ore uneconomical as it makes extraction much more toxic and complex. It could potentially be used as an ore of arsenic.
The mineral was first described in 1751 by Axel Fredrik Cronstedt, the Swedish chemist who also discovered nickel. Cronstedt initially thought nickeline contained copper but later identified nickel as a new element within the mineral.
It was later named nickeline in 1832 by F. S. Beudant, and later niccolite by Dana in 1868. In 1971 the IMA recommended use of the name nickeline instead of niccolite.
Mineralogy
Pale copper-red, tarnishing to a silver-grey blackish metallic colour.
Hazards and Warnings
Toxic mineral: contains nickel and arsenic.
Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.
Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.
When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.
Translations
Arabic:
- نيكيلين
Hindi:
Portuguese:
- Niquelina
Bengali:
Indonesian:
Punjabi:
English:
- nickeline
- niccolite
Italian:
Russian:
- Никелин
French:
- Nickéline
Japanese:
Spanish:
- Niquelina
German:
- Nickelin
Korean:
Thai:
Gujurati:
Mandarin Chinese:
- 砷镍矿
Urdu: