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Platarsite

A variety of Sperrylite
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05337470017271925888430.jpg
Platarsite, etc.

Mount Filipp, Sobolevsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia
05337470017271925888430.jpg
Platarsite, etc.

Mount Filipp, Sobolevsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia
05337470017271925888430.jpg
Platarsite, etc.

Mount Filipp, Sobolevsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia
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About PlatarsiteHide

Formula:
Pt(As,S)2
Originally assumed to be PtAsS. May contain minor Rh and Ru replacing Pt.
Colour:
Gray
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
7½
Specific Gravity:
8.0
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Cobaltite Group
Name:
The name reflects its composition: platinum, arsenic and sulfur. The related minerals osarsite, irarsite, and ruarsite are similarly named.
A S-rich variety of sperrylite.
Originally thought to be a member of the Cobaltite Group with the formula PtAsS. Compare 'UM1973-04-AsS:IrPt', 'UM1989-20-S:AsPt', and UM2005-23-S:AsPt.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
3235 (as Platarsite)
3723 (as Sperrylite)
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3235:9 (as Platarsite)
mindat:1:1:3723:1 (as Sperrylite)

IMA Classification of PlatarsiteHide

IMA status:
Discredited
Approval year:
1976
First published:
1977
Approval history:
IMA1976-050

Voting proposal 23-A (IMA Newsletter 72): Discreditation of platarsite
Proposal 23-A is accepted, and platarsite is discredited as it corresponds to a S-rich variety of sperrylite.


First description reference:
Cabri, L.J., Laflamme, J.H.G., Stewart, J.M. (1977) Platinum-group minerals from Onverwacht. II. Platarsite, a new sulfarsenide of platinum. Canadian Mineralogist: 15: 385-388.

Classification of PlatarsiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2025):
2.EB.25

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
B : M:S = 1:2, with Fe, Co, Ni, PGE, etc.
Dana 8th ed.:
2.12.3.6

2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
Hey's CIM Ref.:
3.12.51

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
12 : Sulphides etc. of the platinum metals

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

SymbolSourceReference
PltIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
PltThe Canadian Mineralogist (2019)The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download

Physical Properties of PlatarsiteHide

Lustre:
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Gray
Hardness:
7½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN50=1486 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Density:
8.0 g/cm3 (Measured)    8.375 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
9.627 calculated for ideal end member

Optical Data of PlatarsiteHide

Type:
Isotropic
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)
420nm47.7%
440nm47.4%
460nm47.3%
480nm47.3%
500nm47.1%
520nm47.5%
540nm48.0%
560nm48.2%
580nm48.7%
600nm49.0%
620nm49.9%
640nm48.9%
660nm49.5%
680nm49.8%
700nm49.6%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 49.9%.
Colour in reflected light:
gray

Chemistry of PlatarsiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Pt(As,S)2

Originally assumed to be PtAsS. May contain minor Rh and Ru replacing Pt.
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Pt56.558 %
As43.442 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
As, Pt, S - search for minerals with similar chemistry
Common Impurities:
Ir,Os

Crystallography of PlatarsiteHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3 (2/m 3) - Diploidal
Space Group:
Pa3
Setting:
Pa3
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.790(1) Å
Unit Cell V:
194.10 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
subhedral grains

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0005169PlatarsiteSzymanski J T (1979) The crystal structure of platarsite, Pt(As,S)2, and a comparison with sperrylite, PtAs2 The Canadian Mineralogist 17 117-1231979Onverwacht mine, Transvaal0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.345 Å(80)
2.896 Å(90)
2.590 Å(50)
2.364 Å(50)
2.047 Å(60)
1.746 Å(100)
1.114 Å(70)
Comments:
all reflections broad.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust>4.50
7 : Ultramafic igneous rocks
Near-surface Processes
26 : Hadean detrital minerals
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
37 : Layered igneous intrusions and related PGE minerals

First Recorded Occurrence of PlatarsiteHide

First Recorded Locality:
ⓘ Onverwacht Mine, Steelpoort, Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality, Sekhukhune District Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa
Place of Conservation of First Recorded Material:
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto.
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 136485.
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.


Reference:
Cabri, L.J., Laflamme, J.H.G., Stewart, J.M. (1977) Platinum-group minerals from Onverwacht. II. Platarsite, a new sulfarsenide of platinum. Canadian Mineralogist: 15: 385-388.

Synonyms of PlatarsiteHide

Other Language Names for PlatarsiteHide

Relationship of Platarsite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Cobaltite Group
Other Members of Cobaltite Group:
AndrieslombaarditeRhSbSIso. 2 3 : P21 3
ChangchengiteIrBiSIso. 2 3 : P21 3
CobaltiteCoAsSOrth. mm2 : Pca21
GersdorffiteNiAsSIso. 2 3 : P21 3
GuixiangiteNiBiSIso. 2 3 : P21 3
Hollingworthite(Rh,Pt,Pd)AsSIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
Irarsite(Ir,Ru,Rh,Pt)AsSIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
JolliffeiteNiAsSeIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
KalungaitePdAsSeIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
MaslovitePtBiTeIso. 2 3 : P21 3
MayingiteIrBiTeIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
MicheneritePdBiTeIso. 2 3 : P21 3
MilotaitePdSbSeIso. 2 3 : P21 3
PadmaitePdBiSeIso. 4 3 2
TestibiopalladitePdSbTeIso.
TolovkiteIrSbSIso.
UllmanniteNiSbSIso. 2 3 : P21 3
UM1991-19-Se:AsCo(Co,Ni)AsSeIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pm3
WillyamiteCoSbS

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Platarsite associated with IsoferroplatinumPt3Fe

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.EB.SelenolauriteRuSe2Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.AndrieslombaarditeRhSbSIso. 2 3 : P21 3
2.EB.Iridarsenite(Ir,Ru)As2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.EB.Kanatzidisite(SbBiS3)2Te2Mon. 2/m : P21/m
2.EB.05aVaesiteNiS2Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aHaueriteMnS2Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aLauriteRuS2Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aGaotaiiteIr3Te8Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aPenroseite(Ni,Co,Cu)Se2Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aFukuchiliteCu3FeS8Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aVillamanínite(Cu,Ni,Co,Fe)S2Tric.
2.EB.05aErlichmaniteOsS2Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aSperrylitePtAs2Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aGeversitePtSb2Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aCattieriteCoS2Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aAurostibiteAuSb2Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aTrogtaliteCoSe2Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.05a vCayeuxite
2.EB.05aKruťaiteCuSe2Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aPyriteFeS2Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aInsizwaitePtBi2Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.05bBambollaiteCu(Se,Te)2Tet.
2.EB.05aDzharkeniteFeSe2Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.10aMarcasiteFeS2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.10eParacostibiteCoSbSOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
2.EB.10fOeniteCoSbAsOrth.
2.EB.10ePararammelsbergiteNiAs2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
2.EB.10aMattagamiteCoTe2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.10aFrohbergiteFeTe2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.10dCostibiteCoSbSOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
2.EB.10bAlloclasiteCo1-xFexAsSMon. 2 : P21
2.EB.10cGlaucodot(Co0.50Fe0.50)AsSOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
2.EB.10aPetříčekiteCuSe2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.10aKulleruditeNiSe2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.10aFerroseliteFeSe2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.15bSeinäjokiteFeSb2Orth.
2.EB.15aRammelsbergiteNiAs2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.15aClinosaffloriteCoAs2Mon. 2/m : P21/m
2.EB.15cPaxiteCuAs2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.EB.15aNisbiteNiSb2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.15aLöllingiteFeAs2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.15aSafflorite(Co,Ni,Fe)As2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.15aOmeiite(Os,Ru)As2Orth.
2.EB.15aAnduoite(Ru,Os)As2Orth.
2.EB.20ArsenopyriteFeAsSMon. 2/m : P21/b
2.EB.20Ruarsite(Ru,Os)AsSMon.
2.EB.20Osarsite(Os,Ru)AsSMon.
2.EB.20GudmunditeFeSbSMon. 2/m : P21/b
2.EB.25MayingiteIrBiTeIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.25MaslovitePtBiTeIso. 2 3 : P21 3
2.EB.25ParagersdorffiteNi(As,S)2Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.25OrthogersdorffiteNiAsSOrth. mm2 : Pca21
2.EB.25SulfopadmaitePdBiSIso. 2 3 : P21 3
2.EB.25JolliffeiteNiAsSeIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.25CobaltiteCoAsSOrth. mm2 : Pca21
2.EB.25GuixiangiteNiBiSIso. 2 3 : P21 3
2.EB.25TestibiopalladitePdSbTeIso.
2.EB.25 vaAntimony-bearing GersdorffiteNi(As,Sb)S
2.EB.25KalungaitePdAsSeIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.25Hollingworthite(Rh,Pt,Pd)AsSIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.25MicheneritePdBiTeIso. 2 3 : P21 3
2.EB.25GersdorffiteNiAsSIso. 2 3 : P21 3
2.EB.25MilotaitePdSbSeIso. 2 3 : P21 3
2.EB.25TolovkiteIrSbSIso.
2.EB.25WillyamiteCoSbS
2.EB.25ChangchengiteIrBiSIso. 2 3 : P21 3
2.EB.25KvačekiteNiSbSeIso. 2 3 : P21 3
2.EB.25KrutoviteNiAs2Iso. 2 3 : P21 3
2.EB.25PadmaitePdBiSeIso. 4 3 2
2.EB.25UllmanniteNiSbSIso. 2 3 : P21 3
2.EB.25Irarsite(Ir,Ru,Rh,Pt)AsSIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
2.EB.30UrvantsevitePd(Bi,Pb)2Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm
2.EB.35RheniiteReS2Tric. 1 : P1

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Internet Links for PlatarsiteHide

References for PlatarsiteHide

Localities for PlatarsiteHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. - Good crystals or important locality for species. - World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Albania
 
  • Dibër County
    • Bater-Martanesh mining district
12 (12) +1 other reference
Australia
 
  • Western Australia
    • City of Karratha
      • Karratha
HOATSON et al. (1992)
Austria
 
  • Styria
    • Leoben District
12 (12) +4 other references
      • Sankt Stefan ob Leoben
        • Mitterberg
Malitch et al. (2002)
Melcher+Mali (1998)
Brazil
 
  • Bahia
    • Ipiaú
      • Mirabela farm
Knight (2014)
  • Pará
    • Curionópolis
33rd International Geological Congress (2008)
  • São Paulo
33rd International Geological Congress (2008)
Canada
 
  • British Columbia
    • Similkameen Mining Division
      • Tulameen River
Petrov (n.d.)
  • Ontario
    • Thunder Bay District
      • Coldwell complex
Ames et al. (2017)
Good et al. (2017)
      • Greenwich Lake Area
Good et al. (2010)
Ecuador
 
  • Carchi Province
    • Awa Indian Preserve
Barron et al. (2024)
Ethiopia
 
  • Oromia Region
    • West Welega Zone
      • Gimbi
Mogessie (2003)
Finland
 
Törroos Ragnar +1 other reference
    • Portimo complex
Greece
 
  • Central Greece
    • Phthiotis
      • Domokos
Tsikouras et al. (2016)
  • Central Macedonia
    • Imathia
12 (12) +3 other references
12 (12) +1 other reference
  • Thessaly
    • Trikala
      • Meteora
Kapsiotis et al. (2011)
Greenland
 
  • Sermersooq
    • Kruuse Fjord
Arnason et al. (1997)
India
 
  • Karnataka
    • Davanagere District
      • Shimoga schist belt
Alapieti et al. (2005) +1 other reference
Myanmar
 
  • Sagaing Region
    • Monywa District
Hagen et al. (1990)
Norway
 
  • Trøndelag
    • Røros
12 (12) +2 other references
Papua New Guinea
 
  • Oro Province
Cabri et al. (2022)
Russia
 
  • Altai Republic
    • Turochaksky District
Nesterenko +4 other references
  • Buryatia
    • Severo-Baykalsky District
      • Dovyren Highlands
        • Yoko-Dovyrensky Massif
Spiridonov et al. (2018)
  • Irkutsk Oblast
    • Uda–Biryusa district
Shvedov et al. (2017) +1 other reference
Podlipsky et al. (2015)
  • Kamchatka Krai
    • Koryak Okrug
      • Karaginsky District
Tolstykh et al. (2000)
      • Olyutorsky district
Sidorov et al. (2021)
        • Korf
Tolstykh et al. (2004)
Tolstykh et al. (2004)
    • Sobolevsky District
Tony Nikischer specimen and analysis +1 other reference
  • Kemerovo Oblast
Nesterenko +6 other references
  • Krasnoyarsk Krai
Radomskaya et al. (2017)
  • Murmansk Oblast
Gabov (2010)
Groshev +6 other references
Groshev +6 other references
    • Monche tundra intrusion
Grokhovskaya et al. (2009)
Yury L. Voytekhovsky (2008)
Chashchin et al. (2021)
Grokhovskaya et al. (2000)
Chashchin et al. (2013)
Chashchin et al. (2013)
  • Republic of Karelia
Grokhovskaya et al. (2005)
Grishaenko et al. (2007)
    • Loukhsky District
Singh et al. (2009)
    • Northern Karelia
Лавров (2013) +1 other reference
[World of Stones 12:49]
    • Anabar River basin
Airiyants et al. (2014)
  • Sverdlovsk Oblast
    • Yekaterinburg
Zaccarini et al. (2013) +1 other reference
  • Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug
    • Labytnangi
Murzin et al. (2022)
Serbia
 
  • Central Serbia
    • Rasina District
      • Trstenik
        • Veluće
Krstic et al. (1997)
South Africa
 
  • Limpopo
    • Capricorn District Municipality
      • Blouberg Local Municipality
        • Waterberg project
McCreesh et al. (2018)
    • Sekhukhune District Municipality
      • Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality
Cairncross et al. (1995)
Montjoie (2018)
Rudashevsky et al. (1992)
        • Steelpoort
Cabri et al. (1977) +4 other references
    • Waterberg District Municipality
      • Mogalakwena Local Municipality
Yudovskaya et al. (2011)
          • Mogalakwena Mine
Cairncross et al. (1995) +1 other reference
Holwell et al. (2006) +1 other reference
Cairncross et al. (1995)
  • North West
    • Bojanala Platinum District Municipality
      • Rustenburg Local Municipality
        • Rustenburg
Prichard et al. (2004)
Junge et al. (2014)
Zaccarini +1 other reference
Spain
 
  • Andalusia
    • Málaga
      • Ojén
        • Ojén lherzolite massif
Baurier-Aymat +7 other references
Baurier-Aymat +7 other references
  • Galicia
    • A Coruña
Madon et al. (1991) +4 other references
Turkey
 
  • Kahramanmaraş Province
Kozlu et al. (2014)
UK
 
  • Scotland
    • Highland
      • Caol and Mallaig
        • Isle of Rum
Power et al. (2000)
USA
 
  • Alaska
    • Bethel Census Area
      • Goodnews Bay
        • Salmon River - Red Mountain District
Fechner SA (1988) +1 other reference
  • Montana
    • Stillwater County
      • J-M Reef (Howland Reef)
Bart Cannon (Cannon Microprobe)
Zimbabwe
 
  • Mashonaland West
    • Chegutu District
Oberthür et al. (2003) +1 other reference
  • Midlands
    • Zvishavane District
      • Zvishavane (Shabani; Shabanie; Shavani)
Nashwa (2008)
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