Loellingite

Loellingite, also spelled löllingite, is an iron arsenide mineral with formula FeAs2. It is often found associated with arsenopyrite (FeAsS) from which it is hard to distinguish. Cobalt, nickel and sulfur substitute in the structure. The orthorhombic lollingite group includes the nickel iron arsenide rammelsbergite and the cobalt iron arsenide safflorite. Leucopyrite is an old synonym for loellingite.

Loellingite
Sharp, lustrous loellingite (and/or arsenopyrite) crystals to 4 mm on gossan matrix. Locality: Broken Hill Ore Deposit, New South Wales, Australia. Size: 2.4 x 2.2 x 2.0 cm.
General
CategoryArsenide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)		FeAs2
Strunz classification2.EB.15a
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classDipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupPnnm
Unit cella = 5.16, b = 5.93
c = 3.05 [Å]; Z = 2
Identification
ColorSeel grey to silvery white
Crystal habitPrismatic to pyramidal crystals, massive
TwinningOn {001}, possibly trillings, polysynthetic on {101}
CleavageRare, distinct on {010}, {101}
FractureUneven
Mohs scale hardness5-5.5
LusterMetallic
StreakGrayish black
Specific gravity7.1-7.5
Optical propertiesDistinctly anisotropic in reflected light
References[1][2][3]

It forms opaque silvery white orthorhombic prismatic crystals often exhibiting crystal twinning. It also occurs in anhedral masses and tarnishes on exposure to air. It has a Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6 and a quite high specific gravity of 7.1 to 7.5. It becomes magnetic after heating.

Loellingite was first described in 1845 at the Lölling district in Carinthia, Austria, for which it was named.

It occurs in mesothermal ore deposits associated with skutterudite, native bismuth, nickeline, nickel-skutterudite, siderite and calcite. It has also been reported from pegmatites.[3]

Loellingite from Franklin-Sterling (size: 10.4 x 7.0 x 6.8 cm)

References
  1. Mindat
  2. Webmineral
  3. Handbook of Mineralogy

Further reading
  • Schumann, Walter (1991). Mineralien aus aller Welt. BLV Bestimmungsbuch (2 ed.). p. 223. ISBN 3-405-14003-X.
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