83.

MAGNESITE
The most common form of Magnesite is The most common form of
Magnesite is white, microcrystalline, porous masses that are dull in luster,
and have the appearance of unglazed porcelain. Because they are porous,
they adhere to the tongue when licked.An interesting Magnesite
occurrence is in Brumado, Brazil, where a deposit of clear, well formed,
rhombohedrons similar to Iceland Spar Calcite found. Until this find, such
crystals were, although identical in appearance to Iceland Spar Calcite,
they are much rarer and sought after
Chemical Formula
Composition
Variable Formula
Color
Streak
Hardness
Crystal System
3D Crystal Atlas
Crystal Forms and
Aggregates

Transparency
Specific Gravity
Luster
Cleavage
Fracture
Tenacity
Other ID Marks
Complex Tests
In Group
Environment
Rock Type
Popularity (1-4)
Prevalence (1-3)
Demand (1-3)

MgCO3
Magnesium carbonate, commonly with some iron and calcium
(Mg,Fe,Ca)CO3
Colorless, white, gray, yellow, brown, orange, light pink
White
3.5 - 4.5
Hexagonal
Rhombohedral,Modified Rhombohedral
Magnesite is not common in well formed crystals. Crystals are
rhombohedral, sometimes single but more commonly in groupings and
as cleavage fragments. Crystals may also be groupings of thin hexagonal
plates, or as prismatic crystals. The most common form of Magnesite is
in massive, compact, porous masses that are dull in luster. Also occurs
grainy, coxcomb, botryoidal, in groups of thin, prismatic needles, and as
small rounded balls.
Transparent to nearly opaque
3.0 - 3.3
Vitreous to dull
1,3 - rhombohedral
Conchoidal to even
Brittle
1) Massive, porous specimens will stick to the tongue if licked.
2) Occasionally fluorescent blue or green.
Effervesces in hot hydrochloric acid
Carbonates; Calcite Group
In metamorphic serpentine rock and hornfels, in hydrothermal deposits,
and in sedimentary beds.
Sedimentary, Metamorphic
2
2
2

85. MANGANONEPTUNITE
Manganoneptunite is the manganese-dominant variant of Neptunite,
having a greater portion of manganese over iron in a solid solution series.
Although often considered a variety of Neptunite, the IMA recognizes
Manganoneptunite as a distinct mineral species. Manganoneptunite is
generally ligher in color than Neptunite, and can even be completely
transparent in specimens where the iron content is very low.

Chemical Formula
Composition
Color
Streak
Hardness
Crystal System
Crystal Forms
and Aggregates

Transparency
Specific Gravity
Luster
Cleavage
Fracture
Tenacity
In Group
Striking Features
Environment
Rock Type
Popularity (1-4)
Prevalence (1-3)
Demand (1-3)

KNa2Li(Fe2+,Mn)2Ti2Si8O24
Silicate of potassium, sodium, lithium, manganese, iron and titanium
Red, dark red, orange, brown, dark brown, black
Dark brown
5-6
Monoclinic
As small tabular and prismatic crystals with a square cross-section. Also
in complex crystals with many faces, and in tabular crystals with
rhombic faces.
Transparent to nearly opaque
3.2 - 3.3
Vitreous
1,1 - with 80 and 100 degree angles
Conchoidal
Brittle
Silicates; Nesosilicates
Color and crystal habits, perfect cleavage, and locality/mode of
occurrence.
In nepheline syenite pegmatites.
Igneous
3
3
3

84. MAGNETITE
Magnetite is best known for its property of being strongly attracted to
magnets. Some forms of Magnetite from specific localities are in fact
themselves magnets. Commonly known as Lodestone, this magnetic
form of Magnetite is the only mineral that is a natural magnet. Due to the
magnetism of Lodestone, small iron particles are often found clinging to
its surfaces. (Some dealers may even intentionally place metallic filings
on a Lodestone to demonstrate its magnetism.)
Magnetite may form a yellow-brown rust coating if washed or kept in a moist area. If a specimen is
washed, it should be dried to prevent rusting. Rust can easily be removed by soaking the Magnetite in a
rust-removing solvent such as Iron Out.
The mineral Hematite is known to form pseudomorphs over Magnetite. Such pseudomorphs are
commonly known as Martite, and their appearance may be very similar to regular Magnetite. However,
they differ from Magnetite in that they are only weakly attracted to magnetic fields, and have a reddishbrown streak.
Chemical Formula
Composition
Variable Formula
Color
Streak
Hardness
Crystal System
3D Crystal Atlas

Crystal Forms
and Aggregates

Transparency
Specific Gravity
Luster
Cleavage
Fracture
Tenacity
Other ID Marks
In Group
Striking Features
Environment

Fe2+Fe3+2O4
Iron oxide. May contain several different elemental impurities partially
replacing both the first and the second iron.
(Fe,Mn,Mg,Zn,Ni)2+(Fe,Al,Cr,Mn)3+2O4
Dark gray to black
Black
5.5 - 6.5
Isometric
Octahedral,Octahedral with Slight Modification,Flattened Triangular
,Spinel Twin, Rare Cubic Form, Dodecahedral, Highly Modified
Octahedron
Crystals are usually octahedral, and they may be very well-formed. Less
commonly dodecahedral. Crystals may exhibit interesting combinations
of octahedral and dodecahedral faces. Spinel twinning is an occasional
habit, and an unusual cubic form is well-known from one specific
locality. Crystals may be striated, and some octahedral crystals contain
layer growths. Also drusy, grainy, in veins, as large embedded grains, as
rounded crystals, and massive.
Opaque
4.9 - 5.2
Metallic
None. May exhibit parting.
Subconchoidal to uneven
Brittle
Is ferromagnetic, meaning it is strongly attracted to magnetic fields.
Oxides; Multiple Oxides
Strong attraction to magnets, hardness, and streak.
Occurs in igneous rock such as diabase, as well as contact and regional
metamorphic rocks and in hydrothermal replacement deposits.

Rock Type
Popularity (1-4)
Prevalence (1-3)
Demand (1-3)

Igneous, Metamorphic
2
1
1

82.MAGNESIOCHROMITE
Magnesiochromite is very similar to Chromite, and is often mistaken for
it. Due to their similarity, it is very difficult to visually distinguish these
two minerals. Magnesiochromite is the magnesium-dominating form in a
series with Chromite, whereas Chromite is iron-dominating.

Chemical Formula
Composition
Variable Formula
Color
Streak
Hardness
Crystal System
3D Crystal Atlas
Crystal Forms
and Aggregates
Transparency
Specific Gravity
Luster
Cleavage
Fracture
Tenacity
In Group
Striking Features
Environment
Rock Type
Popularity (1-4)
Prevalence (1-3)
Demand (1-3)

MgCr2O4
Magnesium chromium oxide, often with some iron.
(Mg,Fe)Cr2O4
Black to brownish-black
Dark gray
5.5
Isometric
Octahedral
Crystals, which are octahedral, are very rare. Usually grainy, massive,
and as rounded embedded masses.
Opaque
4.2
Metallic to dull
None
Conchoidal to uneven
Brittle
Oxides; Multiple Oxides
Streak and hardness
In Serpentine deposits, as well as in ultrabasic igneous rocks. May also
be in placer deposits.
Igneous, Metamorphic
3
3
3

81.LOELLINGITE
Loellingite, also known as Lllingite, is named after the Austrian type
locality it was first described in, which is Loelling (or Llling),
Carinthia, Austria. Since the English language lacks the letter O with an
umlaut, this guide uses the alternate spelling of Loellingite.Loellingite
belongs to the Loellingite group, which is a group of chemically related
isomorphous minerals that are all uncommon. Other members discussed
in this guide are Rammelsbergite and Safflorite.
Chemical Formula
Composition

Variable Formula
Color
Streak
Hardness
Crystal System
3D Crystal Atlas
Crystal Forms
and Aggregates

Transparency
Specific Gravity
Luster
Cleavage
Fracture
Tenacity
Other ID Marks
Complex Tests
In Group
Striking Features
Environment
Rock Type
Popularity (1-4)
Prevalence (1-3)
Demand (1-3)

FeAs2
Iron arsenate, sometimes with some nickel and cobalt. If the iron (Fe) is
replaced by more than 50% nickel (Ni), the mineral is not Loellingite,
but Rammelsbergite, and if it is replaced by more than 50% cobalt (Co),
the mineral is Safflorite.
(Fe,Co,Ni)As2
Silver-white. Tarnishes dark gray.
Dark gray
5 - 5.5
Orthorhombic
Elongated Prismatic Tabular
Occurs as interestingly shaped prismatic crystals, as well as tabular
crystals. Crystals frequently twin to form cross or star shaped
aggregates. Also occurs columnar, acicular, bladed, radiating, grainy, in
thin veins, massive, and as compact aggregates.
Opaque
7.1 - 7.6
Metallic
3,1 - basal
Uneven
Brittle
Gives off a garlic odor when struck or heated. (Fumes are toxic.)
Dissolves in nitric acid
Sulfides; Arsenides
Crystal habits, gives off garlic odor when struck
In mesothermal veins associated with other sulfides, and also in
limestone and less commonly in pegmatites.
Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic
3
3
3

86. MEIONITE
Meionite is the calcium-rich end member of the Scapolite series. It is
very similar and often indistinguishable from Marialite, the other end
member of the series. Intermediary forms of Meionite and Marialite are
frequent, and these are classified simply as Scapolite. Of the two
Scapolite minerals, Meionite is the more prevalent form. Meionite is
named for the Greek word meion (), which translates as "minus", in
reference to its lesser termination angles when compared to Vesuvianite.
Chemical Formula
Composition
Variable Formula
Color
Streak
Hardness
Crystal System
3D Crystal Atlas
Crystal Forms
and Aggregates

Transparency
Specific Gravity
Luster
Cleavage
Fracture
Tenacity
Other ID Marks
In Group
Striking Features
Environment
Rock Type
Popularity (1-4)
Prevalence (1-3)
Demand (1-3)

Ca4(Al6Si9O24)(CO3)
Calcium aluminum carbonate-silicate
(Ca,Na)4(Al,Si)3Si6O24)(CO3,Cl,SO4)
White, gray, colorless, cream, yellow, bluish-gray, and purple. Less
commonly blue, brown, green, red, and pink.
White
5-6
Tetragonal
Prismatic,Modified Prismatic
Crystals are often short and stout with a slightly angled or pyramidal
termination, or long and prismatic. Crystals can be very large and fat,
and are often intergrown in groups of such crystals or are columnar. Also
grainy, massive, and crudely as formed crystal masses. Prismatic crystals
are often striated.
Transparent to opaque
2.6 - 2.8
Vitreous to dull
2,2
Conchoidal, uneven
Brittle
Often fluorescent, sometimes brightly. Colors include white, yellow, and
pink. Fluorescence may be present both in shortwave and longwave.
Silicates; Tectosilicates
Crystal habit, environment, and fluorescence
Chiefly in metamorphic rocks, in metamorphosed limestones, skarns,
gneisses, and hornfels. Also in granite pegmatites.
Igneous, Metamorphic
2
1
2