Mineral Database

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:
  • Graham, A.L., Easton, A.J. & Hutchison, R., 1977 Forsterite chondrites; the meterorites Kakangari, Mount Morris (Wisconsin), Pontlyfni, and Winona.  Mineralogical Magazine, 41, 201-210.