Information about Pararammelsbergite

Pararammelsbergite is a nickel arsenide mineral that typically appears as metallic silver-gray to steel-gray masses.

It has a dense, metallic luster and often exhibits a granular to massive structure, with occasional small, elongated crystals.

Pararammelsbergite is often found in hydrothermal veins with NiCo sulphides – often associated with minerals like nickeline, skutterudite, cobaltite, lollingite, gersdorffite, rammelsbergite.

Uses and History

This mineral is primarily of interest to mineral collectors and researchers studying arsenide ore deposits. It has no significant industrial applications but can serve as an indicator of nickel-rich ore deposits, which are important for nickel extraction.

Pararammelsbergite was named for its structural similarity to rammelsbergite, another nickel arsenide mineral. The prefix “para-” indicates that it is a polymorph of rammelsbergite, meaning they share the same chemical composition but have different crystal structures.

Mineralogy

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

Further Reading / External Links

• https://www.mindat.org/min-3106.html
• http://webmineral.com/data/Pararammelsbergite.shtml
• https://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/pararammelsbergite.pdf