Mineral Database
Schreibersite
Crystal System: Tetragonal
Formula: (Fe,Ni)3P
Status of Occurrence: Confirmed Occurrence - 1st UK recording
Distribution: Rare
Chemical Composition: Iron nickel phosphide
Method(s) of Verification: not known.
Chemical Group:
- Carbides, Nitrides, Silicides and Phosphides
Geological Context:
- Igneous/metamorphic extraterrestrial
Introduction: schreibersite is an accessory mineral in most iron meteorites and many stony ones. It has also been observed in lunar samples, possibly of meteoritic origin.
Occurrence in Wales: Graham et al. (1977) noted that schreibersite is present within the Pontlyfni meteorite, which fell at 11.53 am on 14 April 1931 at Coch-y-Bug farm, 7.5 miles SSW of Caernarvon in North Wales. No further details are provided.
Key Localities:
- Coch-y-Bug Farm, Pontllyfni, Gwynedd: schreibersite is briefly mentioned by Graham et al. (1977) as present within the Pontlyfni meteorite.
References:
- Forsterite chondrites; the meterorites Kakangari, Mount Morris (Wisconsin), Pontlyfni, and Winona. Mineralogical Magazine, 41, 201-210.
