Pentlandite

 

Discovered in 1856, this mineral was named after J. B. Pentland (1797 – 1873) who discovered the mineral at Sudbury, Ontario. It is the principal ore of nickel, which is used chiefly in steel. Nickel is also an essential constituent of stainless steel. The mineral is usually found intergrown with pyrrhotite, from which it can be distinguished from because it is non-magnetic.

Mineral Photos courtesy of R.Weller/Cochise College