Nuwaite
A nickel germanium sulphide formed when an inclusion in Allende was altered.
Key facts
- Formula
- Ni6GeS2
- Family
- Sulphides
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- First described
- the Allende CV3 chondrite, 2013
Nuwaite was approved as a new mineral in 2013 from Allende and described in 2018. It is named after Nüwa, the goddess of Chinese legend who repaired the broken sky. It is known only from meteorites.
What it is
Nuwaite is a sulphide of nickel with germanium, an element rarely concentrated enough to form its own minerals. It and its tin-bearing partner butianite grew when metal and sulphide in an inclusion reacted with fluid or gas long after the inclusion formed.
Where it is found
It occurs as micrometre-sized grains with butianite and other secondary nickel-rich minerals in calcium-aluminium-rich inclusions in Allende.
How it is recognised
It is identified by its composition and by electron backscatter diffraction in a scanning electron microscope.
Did you know?
Nuwaite and butianite are both named after the legend of Nüwa mending the sky.
Germanium is one of the trace elements used to sort iron meteorites into chemical groups.