Chemistry:Cronstedtite

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Short description: Silicate mineral
Cronstedtite
Cronstedite France.jpg
Cronstedtite – Salsigne Mine – France
General
CategorySilicate minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
Fe2+2Fe3+(Si,Fe3+O5)(OH)4
Strunz classification9.ED.15
Crystal systemTrigonal
Crystal classDitrigonal pyramidal (3 m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP31m (no. 157)
Unit cella = 5.486 Å,
c = 7.095 Å; Z = 1[1]
Identification
ColorBlack, dark brown-black, green-black
CleavagePerfect on {001}
TenacityElastic
|re|er}}Sub-Metallic
StreakDark olive green
DiaphaneityTranslucent
Specific gravity3.34 – 3.35
Optical propertiesBiaxial (−)
Refractive indexnα = 1.720 nβ = 1.800 nγ = 1.800
Birefringenceδ = 0.080
PleochroismVisible
Dispersionr < v moderate
References[1][2][3]

Cronstedtite is a complex iron silicate mineral belonging to the serpentine group of minerals. Its chemical formula is Fe2+2Fe3+(Si,Fe3+O5)(OH)4.

It was discovered in 1821 and named in honor of Swedish mineralogist Axel Fredrik Cronstedt (1722–1765). It has been found in Bohemia in the Czech Republic and in Cornwall, England .

Cronstedtite is a major constituent of CM chondrites, a carbonaceous chondrite group exhibiting varying degrees of aqueous alteration. Cronstedtite abundance decreases with increasing alteration.[5]

Cronstedtite- Cornwall, England

See also

References