Coyoteite
| Coyoteite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Sulfide mineral |
| Formula | (NaFe3S5·2H2O) |
| IMA symbol | Coy |
| Strunz classification | 2.FD.25 |
| Dana classification | 02.14.06.01 |
| Crystal system | Triclinic Unknown space group |
| Identification | |
| Color | black |
| Crystal habit | Irregular grains - occurs as splotchy, anhedral crystals forming inclusions in other minerals |
| Cleavage | {111} Perfect |
| Mohs scale hardness | 1-1.5 |
| Luster | Metallic |
| Streak | black |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque |
| Specific gravity | 2.5–2.62 measured; 2.879 calculated |
| Pleochroism | Faint, from gray to pink |
| Other characteristics | Moderately magnetic |
| References | |
Coyoteite is a hydrated sodium iron sulfide mineral. The mineral was named coyoteite after Coyote Peak near Orick, California, where it was discovered (along with another rare mineral, orickite).
This mineral is unstable under normal atmospheric conditions, making it rare at the surface. The mineral was first described in a petrographic study of a sample of a mafic diatreme at Coyote Peak. The largest piece of coyoteite found on that specimen has the dimensions of 0.2 mm × 0.4 mm (0.0079 in × 0.0157 in).