• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.18 no.3 s.45
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• pp.147-153
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• 2005

Naldrettite, recently discovered in the Mesamax Northwest deposit, Ungava region, northern Quebec, Canada, was reported as a new mineral. In order to confirm whether itis a natural equivalent of synthetic $Pd_2Sb$ phase or not, the pure $Pd_2Sb$ phase has been synthesized and investigated by reflected microscope, electron microprobe analyser, X-ray diffractometer, and micro-indentation hardness tester. Under reflected light synthetic $Pd_2Sb$ Phase is white with a creamy tint in both air and oil and weakly bireflectant. Anisotropism is strong, from brownish gray to greenish blue in air. Micro-indentation hardness test gives VHN100=293(242-322). Composition of the phase is $63.7\~64.3wt.\%\;Pd\;and\; 36.4\~36.8wt.\%$ Sb, and is entirely consistent. The phase, quenched from $500^{\circ}C$, is orthorhobic with space group $Cmc2_1$, and the cell parameters are a=3.366(1), b=17.523(3), c=6.929(2) ${\AA}$. All mineralogical properties of synthetic $Pd_2Sb$ compare very well with those of naldrettite, confirming that naldrettite is the natural analogue of the synthetic $Pd_2Sb$ phase.