Bowieite

Formula:  (Rh,Ir,Pt)₂S₃

Origin of name:  For Stanley Hay Umphray Bowie, British scientist, Institute of Geological Sciences, London, England

Crystal system:  Orthorhombic

Crystal class:  2/m 2/m 2/m

Twinning:

Unit cell: a = 8.454 Å, b = 6.002 Å, c = 6.121 Å

Colour:  Gray, gray-brown

Diaphaneity: Opaque

Luster:  Metallic

Habit:  Rims on other inclusions in platinum nuggets

Hardness:  6 to 7

Specific gravity:  6.9

Cleavage:  None

Tenacity: Very slightly brittle

Streak:

Synonyms/varieties:

Comments: Found in platinum alloy nuggets recovered from dredging operations, in platinum-bearing ultramafic rocks intruded into granitic gneiss-hornblende gneiss complex