Fassaite
Appearance
Fassaite | |
---|---|
General | |
Category | Mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) | Ca(Mg,Fe,Al)(Si,Al)2O6 |
Crystal system | Monoclinic |
Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
Space group | C2/c (no. 15) |
Identification | |
Color | light-dark green, black |
Crystal habit | prismatic, short, plane |
Mohs scale hardness | 6 |
Streak | greenish-white |
Specific gravity | 2.9-3.3 |
References | [1] |
Fassaite is a variety of augite with a very low iron content, Ca(Mg,Fe,Al)(Si,Al)2O6.[2] It is named after the Fassa Valley, Italy.
It is thought to be a contact mineral formed at high temperature on the interface between volcanic rocks and limestone. It is also reported in meteorites.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Dowty, E.; Clark, J.R. (1973). "Crystal structure refinement and optical properties of a Ti3+ fassaite from the Allende Meteorite". American Mineralogist. 58: 230–242. Bibcode:1973AmMin..58..230D. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
- ^ Mindat
- ^ Simon, S. B. and L. Grossman, A comparative study of melilite and fassaite in Types B1 and B2 refractory inclusions, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 70 (2006) 780–798
- Schumann, Walter (1991). Mineralien aus aller Welt. BLV Bestimmungsbuch (2 ed.). p. 223. ISBN 3-405-14003-X.