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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
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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)
Related to:
  • 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.15IMA2008-059
    CaAl[AlSiO
     
    6
    		]
    9.DA.15IMA2008-042a
    CaTi
    3+
     
    		 AlSiO
     
    6
    9.DA.20Aegirine-augite
    (Na,Ca)(Fe,Fe,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:
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    • External Links:
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  • 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:
  • Search for Ferrosilite at Thames Valley Minerals
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Ferrosilite specimens
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
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  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
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  • Find Ferrosilite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Search for - Ferrosilite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
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    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.
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    (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
    		http://ganko.eps.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~enami/abstract/pme0201.pdf.
    Canada
     
    • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • Labrador
    		www.geosurv.gov.nf.ca/gacmap/LAB2.html.
    • Northwest Territories
      • Franklin District
    		Can. Mineral. (1993) 31, 775-785
    • Québec
      • Pontiac Co.
        • Huddersfield Township
          • 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
    		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
     
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