Melonite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Melonite
Formula:
NiTe2
Colour:
Reddish white, tarnishes yellowish brown
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
1 - 1½
Specific Gravity:
7.72
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
After the type locality - the Melones Mine, Calaveras County, California.
Melonite-Merenskyite Series. The Te2 analogue of ognitite.
May incorporate Bi, with the limit at <0.5 Bi apfu, as observed for natural (Kingash and Kuskanak complexes) and synthetic materials (Barkov et al., 2017).
May incorporate Bi, with the limit at <0.5 Bi apfu, as observed for natural (Kingash and Kuskanak complexes) and synthetic materials (Barkov et al., 2017).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2639
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2639:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
e25abc8c-5fd7-4935-bea7-a8578938cb31
IMA Classification of Melonite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1868
Classification of Melonite
2.EA.20
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
A : M:S = 1:2 - With Cu, Ag, Au
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
A : M:S = 1:2 - With Cu, Ag, Au
2.12.14.1
2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
3.11.22
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.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mlt | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Mlt | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Melonite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Reddish white, tarnishes yellowish brown
Streak:
Dark gray
Hardness:
1 - 1½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN50=46 - 59 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {0001}
Perfect on {0001}
Density:
7.72 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.73 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Melonite
Anisotropism:
Moderate to strong
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 51.1% | 57.3% |
| 420nm | 52.8% | 56.5% |
| 440nm | 54.1% | 55.7% |
| 460nm | 55.3% | 54.8% |
| 480nm | 56.6% | 54.4% |
| 500nm | 58.2% | 54.6% |
| 520nm | 59.8% | 55.4% |
| 540nm | 61.5% | 56.8% |
| 560nm | 63.1% | 58.4% |
| 580nm | 64.7% | 60.0% |
| 600nm | 66.2% | 61.7% |
| 620nm | 67.6% | 63.0% |
| 640nm | 68.6% | 64.0% |
| 660nm | 69.4% | 64.8% |
| 680nm | 69.9% | 65.1% |
| 700nm | 70.5% | 65.6% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 70.5%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
white to faint pink
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Very weak, cream-white to slightly more pinkish
Chemistry of Melonite
Mindat Formula:
NiTe2
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Pd,Pt,Ag,Bi
Chemical Analysis
wt%
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| Ni | 18.89 % |
| Te | 80.78 % |
| Total: | 99.67 % |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middavarre Copper Mines, Burfjorddalen, Kvænangen, Troms og Finnmark, Norway | ARL-EMX elec |
Crystallography of Melonite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
P3m1
Setting:
P3m1
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.843 Å, c = 5.265 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.37
Unit Cell V:
67.34 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000033 | Melonite | Peacock M A, Thompson R M (1946) On melonite from Quebec and the crystal structure of NiTe2 American Mineralogist 31 204-204 | 1946 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0011792 | Melonite | Wyckoff R W G (1963) Second edition. Interscience Publishers, New York, New York Crystal Structures 1 239-444 | 1963 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.82 Å | (100) |
| 1.549 Å | (60) |
| 2.06 Å | (50) |
| 1.918 Å | (50) |
| 2.64 Å | (30) |
| 1.590 Å | (20) |
| 1.227 Å | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 37 : Layered igneous intrusions and related PGE minerals |
Type Occurrence of Melonite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Reference:
Genth, F.A. (1868) Contributions to mineralogy - No. VII. American Journal of Science and Arts: 45: 305-321 (313).
Synonyms of Melonite
Other Language Names for Melonite
Varieties of Melonite
| Bismuth- and Palladium-bearing Melonite | |
| Cobalt-bearing Melonite | See also Co-rich Melonite. |
| Cobalt-rich Melonite | A variety of melonite with up to 9.4% (w/w) of cobalt and a Ni:Co molar ratio of close to 50:50. |
| Palladium-bearing Melonite | A Pd-bearing variety of melonite. |
Relationship of Melonite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Berndtite | SnS2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| Kitkaite | NiTeSe | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| Merenskyite | PdTe2 | Trig. 3m : P3m1 |
| Moncheite | Pt(Te,Bi)2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| Shuangfengite | IrTe2 | Trig. 3m : P3m1 |
| Sudovikovite | PtSe2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 26 photos of Melonite associated with Gold | Au |
| 13 photos of Melonite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 11 photos of Melonite associated with Altaite | PbTe |
| 10 photos of Melonite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 8 photos of Melonite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 6 photos of Melonite associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
| 5 photos of Melonite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 5 photos of Melonite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 4 photos of Melonite associated with Keithconnite | Pd20Te7 |
| 3 photos of Melonite associated with Calaverite | AuTe2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.EA. | Radvaniceite | GeS2 |
| 2.EA.05 | Sylvanite | AgAuTe4 |
| 2.EA.10 | Calaverite | AuTe2 |
| 2.EA.15 | Kostovite | CuAuTe4 |
| 2.EA.15 | Krennerite | Au3AgTe8 |
| 2.EA.20 | Berndtite | SnS2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Kitkaite | NiTeSe |
| 2.EA.20 | Merenskyite | PdTe2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Moncheite | Pt(Te,Bi)2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Shuangfengite | IrTe2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Sudovikovite | PtSe2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Ognitite | NiBiTe |
| 2.EA.25 | Verbeekite | PdSe2 |
| 2.EA.30 | Drysdallite | MoSe2 |
| 2.EA.30 | Jordisite | MoS2 |
| 2.EA.30 | Molybdenite | MoS2 |
| 2.EA.30 | Tungstenite | WS2 |
| 2.EA.40 | Pampaloite | AuSbTe |
Other Information
Notes:
Before the blowipe, in a tube, gives a sublimate fusible into colorless drops, leaving a gray mass; on charcoal, it burns with a bluish flame giving very little white volatile incrustations and leaving a grayish-green residue, which in the inner flame with soda yields a gray magnetic powder of metallic nickel.
Dissolves in nitric acid with a green color, yields on evaporation a white crystalline powder of tellurous acid; addition of ammonia gives a transparent blue solution.
Dissolves in nitric acid with a green color, yields on evaporation a white crystalline powder of tellurous acid; addition of ammonia gives a transparent blue solution.
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 Melonite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2639.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Melonite
Localities for Melonite
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.
Argentina | |
| DE BRODTKORB +2 other references |
| DE BRODTKORB +1 other reference |
| Mineralogical Magazine 1997 61 : 861-877 +4 other references |
Armenia | |
| |
| Bowell et al. (2021) |
| Kovalenker et al. (2006) |
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Firstova et al. (2016) |
| Firstova et al. (2019) |
Australia | |
| Wahlstrom (1950) |
| & +3 other references | |
| Ehrig et al. (2012) |
| J. F. Carpentier collection +1 other reference |
| Personal communication from Robert ... |
| Marston (1984) | |
| Hudson (1986) | |
| Simon (2019) | |
| Hudson et al. (1978) +1 other reference | |
| Simon (2019) | |
| Simon (2019) +1 other reference | |
| Xue et al. (2014) |
| Canadian Mineralogist (2003) +1 other reference |
| Simpson (1948) | |
| Econ Geol (1997) | |
| Simpson (1948) | |
| Simpson (1948) +1 other reference | |
| Simpson (1948) | |
| Mueller et al. (2019) | |
| Rice et al. (2016) |
| Nichols et al. (2014) +1 other reference |
| Sulfides and Sulfarsenides from the ... +1 other reference |
| Sung et al. (2007) +2 other references |
| Mineral. Deposita 42 (2007) +1 other reference |
| Hassan et al. (2017) |
| Hassan (2014) | |
| Hassan (2014) | |
Austria | |
| Pichler (2009) |
| Pichler (2009) | |
| Pichler (2009) |
| C. Auer: Lapis 20 (11) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Schwabl et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
| Auer (2019) |
Belgium | |
| Michel Blondieau. +3 other references |
| Hatert et al. (2002) |
| |
Bolivia | |
| Jiménez-Franco et al. (2018) |
| Jiménez-Franco et al. (2018) | |
| Jiménez-Franco et al. (2018) | |
Botswana | |
| Maier et al. (2008) |
| Melgarejo et al. (2011) |
Brazil | |
| Mota-e-Silva et al. (2015) +2 other references |
| Bello (1986) |
| Brenner et al. (1990) |
| Monteiro et al. (2008) |
| Monteiro et al. (2008) | |
Canada | |
| Jackson-Brown et al. (2014) |
| Manor |
| Geological Survey of Canada et al. (ed. 2) |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Chen +3 other references | |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| LeFort (2012) |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| Ames et al. (2003) +2 other references | |
| Ames et al. (2003) | |
| Ames et al. (2007) +2 other references |
| Afifi et al. (1988) | |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
| 157-158. +1 other reference | |
| Dana's New Mineralogy |
| Sabina (1991) | |
| Mulja & Mitchell (1990) | |
| Louis J. Cabri and J.H. Gilles Laflamme (1979) +1 other reference |
| D. H. Watkinson and G. Dunning v (1979) | |
| Mulja et al. (1990) |
| Geological Survey of Canada +2 other references |
| Sabina (2003) | |
| Sabina (2003) | |
| Sabina (2003) | |
| Sabina (1974) | |
| Sabina (1974) | |
| Sabina (2003) +1 other reference |
| Sabina (2003) +1 other reference |
| Sabina (2003) +1 other reference |
| Am Min (1948) +1 other reference | |
| Smith (2021) |
| Smith (2021) | |
| Personal correspondance with Giles Peatfield (see comments in description) +1 other reference |
| Dillon-Leitch (1990) |
| Econ Geol (1986) | |
| 5th International Platinum Symposium ... |
China | |
| Xinhui Liu et al. (2011) +2 other references |
| Econ Geol (1992) +2 other references |
| Jianong Zhao et al. (1997) |
| Zhenkuan Luo et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
| Chang et al. (2022) |
| Qiangzhi Li et al. (2003) +1 other reference |
| Econ Geol (1994) +1 other reference | |
| Fengjun Nie et al. (2002) |
| Minzhi Yang (2006) |
| Minzhi Yang (2006) | |
| Minzhi Yang (2006) | |
| Han et al. (2014) |
| Handong Qian et al. (2000) +2 other references |
| Yongrui Zhao and Yunqing Zhen (2006) |
| Yongrui Zhao and Yunqing Zhen (2006) | |
| Song et al. (2004) |
| XU et al. (2015) | |
| Yuanfu Xiao et al. (2010) |
| Jingwen Mao et al. (2007) |
| Zhou et al. (2018) |
Czech Republic | |
| Sandmann et al. (2015) |
| geolib.geology.cz (n.d.) +2 other references | |
| geolib.geology.cz (n.d.) | |
DR Congo | |
| 304 [287-288]. +3 other references |
Egypt | |
| Helmy et al. (2001) +1 other reference |
| Helmy (2005) | |
| Helmy et al. (1995) |
Fiji | |
| Ahmad et al. (1987) +3 other references |
Finland | |
| Kojonen et al. (1996) |
| Gustafsson et al. (2019) |
| Kojonen et al. (eds) | |
| Gervilla +1 other reference |
| Gervilla et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
| Kalinin (2021) | |
| Fröclich et al. (2017) +2 other references |
| Kalinin (2021) |
| Kojonen Kari |
| Vymazalová et al. (2019) | |
| Econ Geol (1997) +1 other reference |
| Geological Survey of Finland 2008. ... +1 other reference | |
| Geological Survey of Finland 2007 ... +2 other references | |
| Am Min 50:581-586 +1 other reference | |
| Geological Survey of Finland 2008. ... +1 other reference | |
| Karinen |
| Kinnunen +1 other reference |
France | |
| F. Aye |
| P. Picot | |
| F. Aye | |
| R. Pierrot |
Germany | |
| Sandmann et al. (2015) |
| Sandmann et al. (2015) |
| Sandmann et al. (2015) |
Greece | |
| Voudouris et al. (2011) |
| Eliopoulos +3 other references | |
| Bonev et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
Greenland | |
| Juul-Pedersen et al. (2007) |
| Nielsen et al. (2015) | |
Guyana | |
| ... |
| Gabriel Voicu (1999) | |
Hungary | |
| Gellert +2 other references |
India | |
| Afifi et al. (1988) |
| Devaraju et al. (2014, January) |
| Dora et al. (2014) |
| Mineralogical Magazine 1997 61 : 902-906 |
Italy | |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Econ Geol (1986) +1 other reference |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Garuti et al. (1986 a) +2 other references |
Japan | |
| Shimada et al. (1981) +1 other reference |
| 井伊博行 (1991) +1 other reference |
| |
Kazakhstan | |
| Spiridonov (2014) +1 other reference |
| Spiridonov (2014) | |
| Stepanets et al. (2019) |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| homepage.usask.ca (2001) +1 other reference |
Norway | |
| Neumann (1985) +1 other reference |
| Strand (1975) |
| Gjelsvik (1956) +1 other reference |
Pakistan | |
| Miller et al. (1991) |
Philippines | |
| Oberthür et al. (2017) |
Romania | |
| Andrei Ionuț Apopei et al. (2016) |
| www.minerals-of-the-carpathians | |
Russia | |
| Kasatkin et al. (2022) |
| Plotinskaya et al. (2018) |
| Vikent’eva +5 other references |
| Yakich et al. (2021) |
| Tararin et al. (2007) |
| Tararin et al. (2007) | |
| Alexander V. Dedeev et al (2002) +1 other reference |
| Spiridonov et al. (2020) |
| Tony Nikischer and Luis Menezes |
| Yury L. Voytekhovsky (2008) | |
| Anthony et al. (1990) | |
| Kalinin (2021) +1 other reference |
| Chashchin et al. (2013) | |
| Kravtsova et al. (2002) | |
| Chashchin et al. (2013) | |
| Grishaenko et al. (2007) |
| Polekhovskiy et al. (2005) | |
| Kondratieva et al. (2021) +3 other references |
| Mikhailov et al. (2021) |
| Mikhailov et al. (2021) | |
| Kasatkin et al. (2023) |
| Barkov et al. (2017) |
South Africa | |
| Holwell et al. (2007) |
| Cairncross (2004) |
Spain | |
| Joan Abella i Creus |
| R. Piña et al. (2008) |
Sweden | |
| |
| |
| Alm et al. (1992) |
| Oen et al. (1984) +2 other references |
| Mikael Jansson () |
| Ossian Åström (2015) |
Tanzania | |
| Mnali (2001) |
UK | |
| Chapman et al. (2023) |
Ukraine | |
| Shumlyanskyy et al. (2000) |
| Bondarenko +2 other references |
USA | |
| Graeme (1993) |
| Graeme (1993) +1 other reference | |
| Contributions to mineralogy +5 other references |
| Mineralogical Record (1989) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 66. +5 other references |
| Econ Geol (1987) |
| Weir +1 other reference |
| Leicht et al. (1994) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Dana 6:76. | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) +1 other reference | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Frank Keutsch collection +1 other reference |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Carnein et al. (2005) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| 2009 New Mexico Mineral Symposium ... | |
| Sherwood et al. (1998) |
| Economic Geology (1996) +1 other reference |
| Andersen et al. (2018) |
| Smith and Barnes (2011) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Kovalenker et al. (1997) +1 other reference |
Zambia | |
| Meneghel (1981) |
| Jacobs (2016) +1 other reference |
Zimbabwe | |
| Economic Geology (1990) +2 other references |
| Afifi et al. (1988) |
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Kambalda, Coolgardie Shire, Western Australia, Australia