Perryite
A nickel silicide-phosphide found in the metal of enstatite chondrites and aubrites.
Key facts
- Formula
- (Ni,Fe)8(Si,P)3
- Family
- Phosphides, carbides, nitrides and silicides
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- First described
- enstatite meteorites, mid-1960s
Perryite was described in the mid-1960s from enstatite meteorites. It is named after Stuart Perry, an American newspaper publisher and meteorite researcher. It is known only from meteorites.
What it is
Perryite is a compound of nickel and iron with silicon and phosphorus. Silicon in metal is a hallmark of enstatite meteorites, which formed with so little oxygen that some silicon was reduced to the metallic state.
Where it is found
It occurs as small grains and lamellae in the metal of enstatite chondrites and aubrites, often with schreibersite.
How it is recognised
It is identified with an electron microprobe by its silicon and nickel contents.
Did you know?
The metal in enstatite chondrites can contain several per cent silicon, unlike the metal in any other meteorite group.
Stuart Perry described the etched textures of iron meteorites in detail in the 1940s.