[ Top ] [ Japanese ]

Marcasite [abbr. Mrc ]

Year of discovery: 1845 (World), 1894 (Japan)

Locality list: 470 localities of marcasite

• FeS₂
• [Fe²⁺][S₂]^2-

• Class: Marcasite group
• Class: Disulfide
• Insoluble in: HCl
• Magnetism: Paramagnetic (After heating)
• Hydrates to Melanterite.
• Formed under more acidic low-T condition comparing to Pyrite.

• Polymorph: Pyrite (Cubic, under acidic high-T condition)

• Fe => Co: Cattierite
• Fe => Os: Erlichmanite
• Fe => Mn: Hauerite
• Fe => Ru: Laurite
• Fe => Ni: Vaesite
• Fe => Cu: Villamanínite (Villamaninite)
• Fe => (Cu,Fe): Fukuchilite
• Fe => W: Tungstenite
• Fe => Mo: Molybdenite, Jordisite

• S => Se: Ferroselite, Dzharkenite
• S => Te: Frohbergite
• S => As: Löllingite (Lollingite)
• S => Sb: Seinäjokite (Seinajokite)

• Color: Light gray
• Tarnish: Yellow
• Streak: Grayish black
• Luster: Metallic
• Diaphaneity: Opaque

• Habit: Thin platy on {010}, Pyramidal, Prismatic
• Aggregate: Stalactitic, Reniform, Radial
• Twin: {101}

• Cleavage: Distinct on {101} (2 planes), Indistinct on {110} (2 planes)
• Hardness: 6-6.5
• Density: 4.9

• System: Orthorhombic
• Group: mmm, Pnnm
• Lattice: a=4.4, b=5.4, c=3.4

Etymology: Arabic or Moorish word meaning pyrite