Class : Elements
    Subclass : Metals
    Crystal system : Cubic
    Chemistry : Ni,Fe
    Rarity : Rare

Taenite is a natural alloy of iron and nickel. Unlike kamacite, taenite is not exclusively of meteoritic origin and is also sometimes found in large masses in serpentinite massifs. Its nickel content seems to depend on its origin : between 24 and 38% in meteorites, it rises to 76% in terrestrial taenites. Taenite remains, however, much more common in metallic meteorites of which it constitutes the essential component with kamacite, a little pure iron sometimes completing the paragenesis. Its name comes from the Greek tainia (ribbon), because of its flat and elongated habitus. It occurs in grains, flakes or lamellae, but never in crystals. In polished plates after acid attack, these meteorites often show geometric arrangements, the Widmanstätten figures which result from the regular growth of taenite around kamacite lamellae. Meteorite irons were locally a resource for early humans, used in particular for the manufacture of weapons and harpoons.

Main photo : Metallic meteorite (Muonionalusta, Sweden) with Widmanstätten figures © R. Tanaka

No twinning known for this mineral species.

No fakes listed for this mineral species.