Smaltite
The topic of Smaltite is an issue that has captured the interest and attention of many people around the world. Whether due to its impact on society, its historical relevance or its meaning in daily life, Smaltite has generated debates, investigations and even controversies. In this article, we will explore different aspects and perspectives related to Smaltite, with the aim of providing a broad and complete overview on this topic. From its origin to its current implications, including its influence on popular culture, we will examine in depth how Smaltite has left an indelible mark on history and the collective consciousness.
Smaltite is a variety of the mineral skutterudite consisting of cobalt, iron, nickel, and arsenide. It has the chemical formula (Co,Fe,Ni)As2.
Smaltite crystallizes in the cubic system with the same hemihedral symmetry as pyrite; crystals have usually the form of cubes or cubo-octahedra, but are imperfectly developed and of somewhat rare occurrence. More often the mineral is found as compact or granular masses. The color is tin-white to steel-grey, with a metallic luster; the streak is greyish black. Hardness is 5.5 and the specific gravity is 6.5. The cobalt is partly replaced by iron and nickel, and as the latter increases in amount there is a passage to the isomorphous species chloanthite (NiAs2).[1]
Smaltite occurs in veins with ores of cobalt, nickel, copper and silver. The best known localities are Cobalt, Ontario and Schneeberg in Saxony, Germany. The name smaltite was given by F. S. Beudant in 1832 because the mineral was used in the preparation of smalt for producing a blue color in porcelain and glass.[1]
Notes
- ^ a b Spencer 1911, p. 249.
References
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Spencer, Leonard James (1911). "Smaltite". In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 25 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 249.
