oldhamite

Oldhamite is a mineral, a sulfide of manganese and iron with the chemical formula (Mn,Fe)S. It is a rare mineral found in certain types of iron meteorites, particularly those that have undergone some degree of alteration. The manganese content is usually significant, and the iron content can vary. Oldhamite is typically found in xenolithic inclusions within these meteorites, suggesting it formed in a different environment before being incorporated into the meteorite. Its formation is believed to require a high sulfur fugacity and relatively low temperatures. In terrestrial environments, oldhamite is extremely rare and has only been found in a few specific locations, often associated with volcanic activity or specific ore deposits. It is known for its dark color and metallic luster. Due to its rarity and the specific conditions required for its formation, oldhamite is of interest to mineralogists and cosmochemists studying the chemical evolution of the solar system and the conditions within meteorites. Its presence in meteorites provides clues about the sulfur chemistry of the early solar nebula and the processes that occurred during the formation and differentiation of planetesimals.