Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (2 online) Mindat Auctions

Ferrosilite

Big Photo

Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand
© Leon Hupperichs

Show Ferrosilite Photos (5)
Formula:
Fe
 
2
[SiO
 
3
]
 
2
System:OrthorhombicColour:Colourless
Hardness:5 - 6


Enstatite-Ferrosilite Series.

Classification of Ferrosilite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/F.02-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.DA.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
A : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si2O6; pyroxene family
Dana 8th edition ID:65.1.2.2

65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
1 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P=2
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.19.2

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
19 : Silicates of Fe
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-1528.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Physical Properties of Ferrosilite

Lustre:Vitreous
Colour:Colourless
Streak:Pale grey brownish
Hardness (Mohs):5 - 6

Crystallography of Ferrosilite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 18.43Å, b = 9.08Å, c = 5.23Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 2.03 : 1 : 0.576
Unit Cell Volume:V 875.21 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Ferrosilite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.710 - 1.767 nβ = 1.723 - 1.770 nγ = 1.726 - 1.788
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.016 - 0.021

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:High
Dispersion:r > v moderate

Chemical Properties of Ferrosilite

Formula:
Fe
 
2
[SiO
 
3
]
 
2
Essential elements:Fe, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Fe, O, Si
Common Impurities:Ca,Na,K,Al,Co,Ni,Mn,Ti,Cr

Relationship of Ferrosilite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Enstatite (see here)
Member of Group:
Orthopyroxene Subgroup:
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.DA.05Donpeacorite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)Mg[SiO
 
3
]
 
2
9.DA.05Enstatite
Mg
 
2
[SiO
 
3
]
 
2
9.DA.10Clinoenstatite
Mg
 
2
[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.10Clinoferrosilite
Fe
2+
 
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.10Kanoite
Mn
2+
 
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.10Pigeonite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
,Ca)(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.15Augite
(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe
2+
 
,Al,Fe
3+
 
,Ti)[(Si,Al)
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.15Diopside
CaMg[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.15Esseneite
CaFe
3+
 
[AlSiO
 
6
]
9.DA.15Hedenbergite
CaFe
2+
 
[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.15Johannsenite
CaMn
2+
 
[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.15Petedunnite
Ca(Zn,Mn
2+
 
,Mg,Fe
2+
 
)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.15Davisite
CaScAlSiO
 
6
9.DA.15Kushiroite
CaAl[AlSiO
 
6
]
9.DA.15Grossmanite
CaTi
3+
 
 AlSiO
 
6
9.DA.20Aegirine-augite
(Na,Ca)(Fe
3+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Mg,Al)Si
 
2
O
 
6
9.DA.20Omphacite
(Ca,Na)(Mg,Al)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.25Aegirine
NaFe
3+
 
[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.25Jadeite
Na(Al,Fe
3+
 
)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.25Jervisite
(Na,Ca,Fe
2+
 
)(Sc,Mg,Fe
2+
 
)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.25Kosmochlor
NaCr[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.25Namansilite
NaMn
3+
 
[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.25Natalyite
Na(V
3+
 
,Cr)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.30Spodumene
LiAl[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
14.19.1Fayalite
Fe
2+
2
[SiO
 
4
]
14.19.3Laihunite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
14.19.4Ferro-anthophyllite
☐[Fe
2+
2
][Fe
2+
5
][(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
8
O
 
22
]
14.19.5Ferripyrophyllite
Fe
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
10
(OH)
 
2
14.19.6Greenalite
Fe
 
2-3
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
14.19.7Cronstedtite
Fe
2+
2
Fe
3+
 
[(Si,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
5
](OH)
 
4
14.19.8Hisingerite
Fe
3+
2
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
·2H
 
2
O

Other Names for Ferrosilite

Synonyms:
EuliteEulysiteFerrohyperstheneO-ferrosiliteOrthoferrosilite
Other Languages:
German:Eisenhypersthen
Eulit
Eulysit
Ferrosilit
O-ferrosilit
Russian:Ферросилит
Spanish:Ferrosilita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Ferrosilite

Reference List:Bowen, N.L. (1935), Ferrosilite as a natural mineral: American Journal of Science, 5th. Series: 30: 481.

Bass, J.D. ad Weidner, D.J. (1984) Elasticity of single-crystal orthoferrosilite. Journal of Geophysical Research: 89: 4359-4371.

Hugh-Jones, D.A., Sharp, T., Angel, R.J., and Woodland, A. (1996) The transition of orthoferrosilite to high-pressure C2/c clinoferrosilite at ambient temperature. European Journal of Mineralogy: 8: 1337-1345.

Tarantino, S.C., Domeneghetti, M.C., Carpenter, M.A., Shaw, C.J.S., and Tazzoli, V. (2002a) Mixing properties of the enstatite-ferrosilite solid solution: I. A macroscopic perspective. European Journal of Mineralogy: 14: 525-536.

Tarantino, S.C., Boffa Ballaran, T., Carpenter, M.A., Domeneghetti, M.C., and Tazzoli, V. (2002b) Mixing properties of the enstatite-ferrosilite solid solution: II A microscopic perspective. Eurpean Journal of Mineralogy: 14: 537-547.

Internet Links for Ferrosilite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Ferrosilite on Google
  • Look for Ferrosilite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Ferrosilite on Webmineral
  • Look for Ferrosilite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Ferrosilite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Ferrosilite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Ferrosilite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Ferrosilite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
  • Buy Minerals and Crystals from Crystalarium.com
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Find Ferrosilite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Ferrosilite specimens
  • Wright's Rock Shop - excellent mineral specimens since 1970
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

    Localities for Ferrosilite

    Hide Locality List
    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Algeria
     
    • Tamanghasset Province
      • Ahaggar Mts (Hoggar Mts)
    		L. Latouche : "L'orthoferrosilite et les roches associées de la région des Gour Oumeladen (N.E. Ahaggar, Algérie)", Bull. Minéral. , 1983, 106, pp. 329-339.
    C. Lemanski, Jr. (re-entry lost Mindat data).
    Cameroon
     
    • North-West Region
      • Nkambe
    		Tetsopgang, S., Koyanagi, J., Enami, M., and Kihara, K. (2003): Mineralogical Magazine 67(3), 509-516.
    Canada
     
    • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • Labrador
    		www.geosurv.gov.nf.ca/gacmap/LAB2.html.
    • Northwest Territories
      • Franklin District
    		Can. Mineral. (1993) 31, 775-785
    • Québec
      • Outaouais
        • Pontiac RCM
          • Otter Lake
    		John Betts minerals _ 06/06/2006
    China
     
    • Jiangxi Province
      • Fuzhou Prefecture
        • Chongren Co.
    		Yaohui Jiang, Hongfei Ling, Shaoyong Jiang, Honghai Fan, Weizhou Shen, and Pei Ni (2005): Journal of Petrology 46(6), 1-34.
    Finland
     
    • Länsi-Suomen Lääni
      • Vaasa
        • Seinäjoki
    		No reference listed
    Germany
     
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Laach lake volcanic complex
          • Kruft
    		Blass, G., Emmerich, F., Graf, HW., Schäfer, Ch., Tschörtner, J., (2006): Minerale der Eifelvulkane, Version 1.0, CD, published by authors
          • Mendig
            • Niedermendig
    		Blass, G., Emmerich, F., Graf, HW., Schäfer, Ch., Tschörtner, J., (2006): Minerale der Eifelvulkane, Version 1.0, CD, published by authors
    Blass, G., Emmerich, F., Graf, HW., Schäfer, Ch., Tschörtner, J., (2006): Minerale der Eifelvulkane, Version 1.0, CD, published by authors
              • Wingertsberg Mt.
    		Blass, G., Emmerich, F., Graf, HW., Schäfer, Ch., Tschörtner, J., (2006): Minerale der Eifelvulkane, Version 1.0, CD, published by authors
          • Niederzissen
            • Glees
    		Blass, G., Emmerich, F., Graf, HW., Schäfer, Ch., Tschörtner, J., (2006): Minerale der Eifelvulkane, Version 1.0, CD, published by authors
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
            • Bellerberg volcano
              • Ettringer Bellerberg Mt. (Bellberg Mt.; Bellenberg Mt.; Billenberg Mt.; Boilenberg Mt.)
    		Blass, G., Emmerich, F., Graf, HW., Schäfer, Ch., Tschörtner, J., (2006): Minerale der Eifelvulkane, Version 1.0, CD, published by authors
        • Polch
          • Ochtendung
    		Blass, G., Graf , HW., Die Wannenköpfe bei Ochtendung in der Vulkaneifel und ihre Mineralien, MW 6/1999
    Hungary
     
    • Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén Co.
      • Zempléni Mts.
        • Tokaj
    		Mineral Species of Hungary, 2005
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chugoku Region
        • Okayama Prefecture
          • Takahashi
    		Matsueda, H. (1980) Journal of the Mining College, Akita University, Ser. A, Mining Geology, 5, #4, 15-77.; Matsueda, H. (1980) Journal of the Mining College, Akita University, Ser. A, Mining Geology, 5, #4, 15-77.
    Kenya
     
    • Rift Valley Province
    New Zealand
     
    • North Island
      • Northland
    		http://ganko.eps.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~enami/abstract/pme0201.pdf.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Prebaikalia (Pribaikal'e)
        • Irkutskaya Oblast'
          • Lake Baikal area
            • Slyudyanka (Sludyanka)
    		Pavel M. Kartashov data
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Khibiny Massif
    		Yakovenchuk, V.N., Ivanyuk, G.Y., Pakhomovsky, Y.A., Men’shikov, Y.P., Konopleva, N.G., and Korchak, Y.A. (2008): Geology of Ore Deposits 50(8), 732-745.
    • Urals Region
      • Southern Urals
        • Chelyabinsk Oblast'
          • Ilmen Mts
            • Ilmen Natural Reserve
              • Lake Ishkul'
    		Am Min 90:1402-1412 (deposit item)
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Pohronský Inovec Mts
        • Nová Baňa
    		Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590
    South Africa
     
    • Northern Cape Province
    		Minerals of South Africa
    Sweden
     
    • Gästrikland
      • Ovanåker
    • Södermanland
      • Nyköping
    UK
     
    • Scotland
      • Strathclyde (Bute)
    		www.abdn.ac.uk/geology/profiles/auming/pitchstone/pitchstones.htm.
    USA
     
    • Maine
      • Piscataquis Co.
        • Big Squaw Township
    		No reference listed
        • Little Squaw
    • Montana
      • Madison Co.
    • New Hampshire
      • Carroll Co.
        • Bartlett
    		Rocks&Min. 76:256
    • New York
      • Orange Co.
    		NY State Museum spec. no. 15862
    • Oregon
      • Klamath Co.
    		(Bill Wise, Northern California Mineralogical Association spring 2003 newsletter; Micro Probe 9(8), 2003).
    • Utah
      • Wayne Co.
    		Handbook of Mineralogy
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 21st Oct 2009 19:37:33