Try for Free
tab list
Rock Identifier
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية

Troilite

Troilite

A species of Minerals, Also known as Pyrrhotite-2c

Troilite is a rare iron sulfide mineral with the simple formula of FeS. It is the iron rich endmember of the pyrrhotite group. Pyrrhotite has the formula Fe(1-x)S (x = 0 to 0.2) which is iron deficient. As troilite lacks the iron deficiency which gives pyrrhotite its characteristic magnetism, troilite is non-magnetic. Troilite can be found as a native mineral on Earth but is more abundant in meteorites, in particular, those originating from the Moon and Mars. It is among the minerals found in samples of the meteorite that struck Russia on February 15th, 2013. Uniform presence of troilite on the Moon and possibly on Mars has been confirmed by the Apollo, Viking and Phobos space probes. The relative intensities of isotopes of sulfur are rather constant in meteorites as compared to the Earth minerals, and therefore troilite from Canyon Diablo meteorite is chosen as the international sulfur isotope ratio standard.

Hardness
Hardness:

3.5 - 4.5

Density
Density:

4.85 g/cm³

General Info About Troilite

Instantly Identify Rocks with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant rock/gemstone/mineral ID and properties analysis, gaining quick insights on characteristics, market value, collecting tips, care, real vs fake, and health risks, etc.
Download the App for Free

Physical Properties of Troilite

Colors
Gray brown, bronze brown (tarnished), yellow brown, light greyish brown, bronze
Streak
Brownish black
Hardness
3.5 - 4.5 , Soft
Density
4.85 g/cm³, Obviously Heavy Weight
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android

Chemical Properties of Troilite

Formula
FeS
Elements listed
Fe, S

Characteristics of Troilite

Your Comprehensive Rock Characteristics Guide
In-depth exploration of rock types, features, and formation aspects
Download the App for Free

Formation of Troilite

Troilite has been reported from a variety of meteorites occurring with daubréelite, chromite, sphalerite, graphite, and a variety of phosphate and silicate minerals. It has also been reported from serpentinite in the Alta mine, Del Norte County, California and in layered igneous intrusions in Western Australia, the Ilimaussaq intrusion of southern Greenland, the Bushveld Complex in South Africa and at Nordfjellmark, Norway. In the South African and Australian occurrence it is associated with copper, nickel, platinum iron ore deposits occurring with pyrrhotite, pentlandite, mackinawite, cubanite, valleriite, chalcopyrite and pyrite. Troilite is extremely rarely encountered in the Earth's crust (even pyrrhotite is relatively rare compared to pyrite and Iron(II) sulfate minerals). Most troilite on Earth is of meteoritic origin. One iron meteorite, Mundrabilla contains 25 to 35 volume percent troilite. The most famous troilite-containing meteorite is Canyon Diablo. Canyon Diablo Troilite (CDT) is used as a standard of relative concentration of different isotopes of sulfur. Meteoritic standard was chosen because of the constancy of the sulfur isotopic ratio in meteorites, whereas the sulfur isotopic composition in Earth materials varies due to the bacterial activity. In particular, certain sulfate reducing bacteria can reduce SO4 1.07 times faster than SO4, which may increase the S/S ratio by up to 10%. Troilite is the most common sulfide mineral at the lunar surface. It forms about one percent of the lunar crust and is present in any rock or meteorite originating from moon. In particular, all basalts brought by the Apollo 11, 12, 15 and 16 missions contain about 1% of troilite. Troilite is regularly found in Martian meteorites (i.e. those originating from Mars). Similar to the Moon's surface and meteorites, the fraction of troilite in Martian meteorites is close to 1%. Based on observations by the Voyager spacecraft in 1979 and Galileo in 1996, troilite might also be present in the rocks of Jupiter’s satellites Ganymede and Callisto. Whereas experimental data for Jupiter's moons are yet very limited, the theoretical modeling assumes large percentage of troilite (~22.5%) in the core of those moons.

Composition of Troilite

Troilite has hexagonal structure (Pearson symbol hP24, Space group P-62c No 190). Its unit cell is approximately a combination of two vertically stacked basic NiAs-type cells of pyrrhotite, where the top cell is diagonally shifted. For this reason, troilite is sometimes called pyrrhotite-2C.

Common Questions People Also Ask

Get Quick Rock Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant rock ID and answers on characteristics, market value, collecting tips, care, real vs fake, and health risks, etc.
Download the App for Free

More Rocks You Might Enjoy

Img topic
Pink Botswana Agate
Pink Botswana Agate is a beautiful and highly desired gemstone found in the Bobonong district of Botswana. It is distinguishable by its intricate swirls and bands in shades of creamy pink, salmon red, and brown. Like all Agate gemstones, it has been used for jewelry and carved objects, such as talismans and amulets.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Alexandrite
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Rhyolite tumbled
Rhyolite tumbled is usually a light-colored stone with wonderful patterns in earthy tones. The material is mined all over the world, but the most significant localities are USA, Germany, Peru, Australia, and New Zealand. The material is commonly sold in the form of tumbled stones.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Picasso Stone tumbled
Picasso Stone tumbled usually appears as a base of white or light grey with streaks of black, brown, or red inclusions that look similar to random strokes of an artist’s brush. This stone is mined from one small area of Utah. It is often used as a striking focal piece in either décor or jewelry and can be used to create unique strands of beads.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Beryl
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Picture Jasper tumbled
Picture Jasper tumbled is a type of agate valued for its unique, scenic, picture-like patterns that manifest when properly cut. These landscape patterns may resemble rolling hills, shores, or ocean waves. It is found in the Namibia desert (Africa) and at Biggs Junction in Oregon, USA. Picture Jasper tumbled is usually sold tumbled.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Pink Opal tumbled
Pink Opal tumbled is a common opal in a range of pink-colored hues, some with threads of grey. It resembles candies. Peru produces some of the best pink Opal tumbled although it is also found in the USA and Australia. Often made into tumbled stones, it is also formed into beads for bracelets and cut into cabochons which are set into pendants.
Read More
Arrow