Wangyanite, PdNi8S8, a new Pd end-member mineral of the pentlandite group from the J-M reef, Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA

American Mineralogist
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Abstract

Wangyanite (IMA2024-008a), ideally PdNi8S8, is a Pd end-member mineral of the pentlandite group that was discovered in the J-M reef of the Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA. Wangyanite occurs as anhedral-subhedral granular crystals 200–400 µm in size, associated with isoferroplatinum, braggite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite interstitial to plagioclase grains within anorthosite. Wangyanite exhibits a yellowish brown color with a black streak and a metallic luster. It is brittle with uneven fractures, and has a calculated density of 5.14 g/cm3. The mineral does not show discernible pleochroism, bireflectance, or anisotropy. It has an average composition of 9.95 wt.% Pd, 31.95 wt.% Ni, 25.02 wt.% Fe, 0.57 wt.% Co, 31.74 wt.% S, totaling 99.23 wt.%. The empirical formula, based on eight sulfur atoms per formula unit, is (Pd0.76Co0.08)Σ0.84(Ni4.39Fe3.60)Σ7.99S8. Wangyanite has a cubic cell with a space group of Fm-3m (#225), having lattice parameters of a = 10.1167(12) Å, V = 1035.4(4) Å3, and Z = 4. Its crystal structure has been solved by single-crystal three-dimensional electron diffraction study. The strongest X-ray diffraction lines of wangyanite are claculated at [d in Å (I%)(hkl)]: 5.841(14.03)(111), 3.050(100)(311), 1.947(29.16)(115,333), 1.264(11.66)(800), 3.577(8.79)(220), 2.920(20.82)(222), and 2.321(9.34)(331). Wangyanite shares the same crystal structure as pentlandite, but the octahedrally coordinated site is mainly occupied by Pd in wangyanite. Based on the textural features and previous experimental Pd-Fe-Ni-S phase system, wangyanite could form by peritectic reaction between braggite, pentlandite and sulfide liquid. These mineral associations are stable in a Ni-Pd-rich sulfide melt system at about 550 °C or even lower temperature. Therefore, wangyanite can potentially serve as an indicator of the presence of Pd-rich residual melts. The mineral is named in honor of Prof. Christina Yan Wang, a well-known researcher on platinum-group element (PGE) occurrences and enrichment mechanisms in mafic-ultramafic intrusions, notably those deposits related to the Emeishan large igneous province in China.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Wangyanite, PdNi8S8, a new Pd end-member mineral of the pentlandite group from the J-M reef, Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA
Series title American Mineralogist
DOI 10.2138/am-2024-9640
Volume 110
Issue 11
Publication Date November 01, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher Mineralogical Society of America
Contributing office(s) Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
Description 10 p.
First page 1844
Last page 1853
Country United States
State Montana
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