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Formula: Na2Ni(SO4)2.4H2O
Valence: Na2Ni2+(S6+O4)2.4H2O
Hydrated sulphate, nickel-bearing mineral,
blödite group
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 2.43 measured, 2.443 calculated
Hardness: About 3
Colour: Pale yellowish green to pale green, colorless to pale green in transmitted light
Environments
Nickelblödite is formed by evaporation of fluids containing Na, Ni, and SO4
HOM
Localities
There are two co-type localities, the Durkin shaft, Kambalda Nickel mines, Kambalda, Coolgardie Shire, Western Australia,
and the Carr Boyd Rocks Ni mine, Menangina Station, Menzies Shire, Western Australia.
At the Durkin shaft, Kambalda Nickel mines, Kambalda, Coolgardie Shire, Western Australia, nickelblödite was found
among samples collected on the wall of an underground opening. Only one sample was collected, that consists
largely of violarite, pyrite and
siderite, representing an intermediate stage in the oxidation of an original
pentlandite-pyrrhotite assemblage.
The nickelblödite occurs as an efflorescence on several surfaces, together with some cryptocrystalline
halite. Individual crystallites from the Kambalda occurrence have a tabular
morphology, with a thickness of about 10 microns and a maximum of about 150 microns across
(MM 41.37-41).
At the Carr Boyd Rocks Ni mine, Menangina Station, Menzies Shire, Western Australia, nickelblödite was first
recognised in samples collected from the open pit, as a surface coating intergrown with
morenosite on broken ore fragments. The Carr Boyd Rocks mine is noted for its
assemblage of unusual secondary minerals.
Glaukosphaerite, takovite,
chalconatronite and
paratacamite have been found there, as well as the newer minerals
carrboydite and nickelblödite
(MM 41.37-41).
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