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Magnesioferrite

Big Photo

Orberg Quarry, Orberg Mt. - Badberg Mt. area, Schelingen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Show Magnesioferrite Photos (14)
Formula:
MgFe
3+
2
O
 
4
System:IsometricColour:Black, grey in reflected ...
Lustre:Metallic, Sub-MetallicHardness:5½ - 6½
Name:In allusion to its composition, containing both MAGESIum and iron (Latin = FERRum).


Spinel Group, Fe series. Magnesioferrite-Magnetite Series.

Classification of Magnesioferrite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/B.02-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.BB.05

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
B : Metal: Oxygen = 3:4 and similar
B : With only medium-sized cations
Dana 8th edition ID:7.2.2.1

7 : MULTIPLE OXIDES
2 : AB2X4
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.20.11

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
20 : Oxides of Fe
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Type Occurrence of Magnesioferrite

Type Locality:Mt. Vesuvius, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy
Year of Discovery:1859

Physical Properties of Magnesioferrite

Lustre:Metallic, Sub-Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Black, grey in reflected light.
Streak:Dark red
Hardness (Mohs):5½ - 6½
Tenacity:Brittle
Parting:On {111}.
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):4.56 - 4.65 g/cm3
Density (calculated):4.51 g/cm3

Crystallography of Magnesioferrite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:Fd3m (F41/d 3 2/m)
Cell Parameters:a = 8.3866Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 589.87 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Rare crystals usually octahedral; less often with modifying {001} or {hhl}. Massive.
Twinning:Common on {111}.

Optical Data of Magnesioferrite

Type:Isotropic
Type:Isotropic

Chemical Properties of Magnesioferrite

Formula:
MgFe
3+
2
O
 
4
Essential elements:Fe, Mg, O
All elements listed in formula:Fe, Mg, O

Relationship of Magnesioferrite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Magnetite (see here)
Related to:
  • Spinel Group
    • Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

    - +
    4.BB.05Brunogeierite
    (Ge,Fe)Fe
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Chromite
    FeCr
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Cochromite
    (Co,Ni,Fe)(Cr,Al)
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Coulsonite
    FeV
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Cuprospinel
    Cu
    2+
     
    		Fe
    3+
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Filipstadite
    (Mn,Mg)
     
    2
    		(Sb
     
    .5
    		Fe
     
    .5
    		)O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Franklinite
    Zn
    2+
     
    		Fe
    3+
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Gahnite
    ZnAl
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Galaxite
    (Mn,Fe,Mg)(Al,Fe)
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Hercynite
    FeAl
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Jacobsite
    Mn
    2+
     
    		Fe
    3+
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Manganochromite
    (Mn,Fe)(Cr,V)
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Magnesiocoulsonite
    MgV
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Magnesiochromite
    MgCr
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Magnetite
    Fe
    2+
     
    		Fe
    3+
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Nichromite
    (Ni,Co,Fe)(Cr,Fe,Al)
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Qandilite
    (Mg,Fe)
     
    2
    		(Ti,Fe,Al)O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Spinel
    MgAl
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Trevorite
    Ni
    2+
     
    		Fe
    3+
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Ulvöspinel
    Fe
     
    2
    		TiO
     
    4
    4.BB.05Vuorelainenite
    (Mn,Fe)(V,Cr)
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.05Zincochromite
    ZnCr
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.10Hausmannite
    MnMn
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.10Hetaerolite
    ZnMn
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.10Hydrohetaerolite
    ZnMn
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    		·H
     
    2
    		O
    4.BB.10Iwakiite
    Mn(Fe,Mn)
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.15Maghemite
    Fe
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    4.BB.15Titanomaghemite
    Fe
    3+
     
    		(Fe
    3+
     
    		,Ti
    4+
     
    		,Fe
    2+
     
    		,[])
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.20Tegengrenite
    (Mg,Mn
    2+
     
    		)
     
    2
    		Sb
    5+
    0.5
    		(Mn
    3+
     
    		,Si,Ti)
     
    0.5
    		O
     
    4
    4.BB.25Xieite
    Fe
    2+
     
    		Cr
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

    - +
    7.20.1Wüstite
    FeO
    7.20.2Magnetite
    Fe
    2+
     
    		Fe
    3+
    2
    		O
     
    4
    7.20.3Maghemite
    Fe
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    7.20.4Hematite
    Fe
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    7.20.5Goethite
    α-Fe
    3+
     
    		O(OH)
    7.20.6Akaganeite
    β-Fe
    3+
     
    		O(OH,Cl)
    7.20.7Feroxyhyte
    Fe
    3+
     
    		O(OH)
    7.20.8Lepidocrocite
    γ-Fe
    3+
     
    		O(OH)
    7.20.9Ferrihydrite
    Fe
     
    5
    		O
     
    3
    		(OH)
     
    9
    7.20.10Amakinite
    (Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mg)(OH)
     
    2
    7.20.12Muskoxite
    Mg
     
    7
    		Fe
     
    4
    		O
     
    13
    		·10H
     
    2
    		O
    7.20.13Srebrodolskite
    Ca
     
    2
    		Fe
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    7.20.14Hercynite
    FeAl
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    7.20.15Brownmillerite
    Ca
     
    2
    		(Al,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    2
    		O
     
    5

    Other Names for Magnesioferrite

    Other Languages:
    German:Magneferrit
    Magnesioferrit
    Magnoferrit
    Russian:Магнезиоферрит
    Spanish:Magnesioferrita

    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 Magnesioferrite

    Reference List:Rammelsberg, C. (1858): Über die Zusammensetzung des Titaneisens sowie der rhomboedrisch und oktaedrisch krystallisierten Eisenoxyde überhaupt. VII, Octaedrisches Eisenerz vom Vesuv. Annalen der Physik und Chemie, Vol. 180/F2-104, 497-552.

    Rammelsberg, C. (1859): Über den sogenannten octaedrischen Eisenglanz vom Vesuv und über die Bildung von Magneteisen durch Sublimation. Annalen der Physik und Chemie, Vol. 183/F2-107, 451-455.

    Kenngott (1859), Ueb.: 98.

    Kenngott (1860): 96.

    Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 698-707.

    Mao, H.K., & P.M. Bell (1974), High-pressure transformation in magnesioferrite (MgFe2O4). Carnegie Institution of Washington Year Book: 75: 555-557.

    Mao, H.K., D. Virgo, & P.M. Bell (1977), High-pressure 57Fe Mössbauer data on the phase and magnetic transitions of magnesioferrite (MgFe2O4), magnetite (Fe3O4), and hematite (Fe2O3). Carnegie Instsitution of Washington Year Book: 76: 522-525.

    Arkiv för Kemi, Mineralogi och Geologi: 5(1): 1-10.

    O'Neill, H. St.C, H. Annersten, & D. Virgo (1992): The temperature dependence of the cation distribution in magnesioferrite (MgFe2O4) from powder XRD structural refinements and Mössbauer spectroscopy: American Mineralogist: 77: 725-740.

    O'Neill, H.St.C. (1994) Kinetics of cation order-disorder in MgFe2O4 spinel European Science Foundation Program on Kinetic Processes in Minerals and Ceramics, Proceedings of the Workshop on Kinetics of Caton Ordering, Cambridge, England.

    Harrison, R.J. and Putnis, A. (1999) Determination of the mechanism of cation ordering in magnesioferrite (MgFe2O4) from the time- and temperature-dependence of magnetic susceptibility. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals: 26: 322-332.

    Andrault, D., & Bolfan-Casanova, N. (2001), High-pressure phase transformation in the MgFe2O4 and Fe2O3-MgSiO3 systems: Physics and Chemistry of Minerals: 28: 211-217.

    Andreozzi, G.B., Halenius, U., and Skogby, H. (2001) Spectroscopic active IVFe 3+-VIFe 3+ clusters in spinel-magnesioferrite solid solution crystals: a potential monitor for ordering in oxide spinels. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals: 28: 435-444.

    Wang, Z., P. Lazor, S.K. Saxena, & H.St.C O'Neill (2002), High pressure Raman spectroscopy of ferrite MgFe2O4. Materials Research Bulletin: 37: 1589-1602.

    Antao, S.M., Hassan, L., and Parise, J.B. (2005) Cation ordering in magnesioferrite MgFe2O4, to 982° C using in situ synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. American Mineralogist: 90: 219-228.

    Winell, Sofia, Hans Anmnersten, & Vitali Prakapenka (2006), The high-pressure phase transformation and breakdown of MgFe2O4: American Mineralogist: 91: 560-567.

    Internet Links for Magnesioferrite

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  • Look for Magnesioferrite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Magnesioferrite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Magnesioferrite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Magnesioferrite

    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.
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Millstatt lake ridge
    		G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
    Bolivia
     
    • Cochabamba Department
      • Chapare Province
    		Alfredo Petrov collection. XRD by Dr. Jaroslav Hyrsl (Karlovy University, Prague); Sp. Gr.
    China
     
    • Anhui Province
      • Huaibei Prefecture
        • Suixi Co.
          • Sanpu ore field
    		Yiming Zhao, Yinan Zhang, and Chengsi Bi (1999): Ore Geology Reviews 14, 227-249.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Ústí Region
        • Duchcov (Dux)
    		Žáček V., Skála R., Chlupáčová M., Dvořák Z. 2005: Ca-Fe3+-rich, Si-undersaturated buchite from Želénky, North-Bohemian Brown Coal Basin, Czech Republic. Eur. J. Mineral., 17, 623-633
    France
     
    • Midi-Pyrénées
      • Aveyron
    		Eytier J.R. & Ch., Favreau G., Devouard B., Vigier J. (2004), Minéraux de pyrométamorphisme de Lapanouse-de Sévérac (Aveyron), Cahier des Micromonteurs, n°85, pp: 3-58
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Kaiserstuhl
        • Schelingen
          • Orberg Mt. - Badberg Mt. area
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Andernach
          • Eich
    		Blass, G., Graf, HW., Neufunde von bekannten Fundorten (VIII), Mineralien-Welt 5/1993
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
            • Bellerberg volcano
    		[Blass, G., Graf, H.W., Neue Mineralienfunde aus der Eifel und dem Siegerland, Mineralien-Welt 10/3, 23, 1999] [A. Wittern: Mineralfundorte in Deutschland, Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001]
    • Thuringia
      • Gera
        • Ronneburg U deposit
    		T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998(7/8), 26-64
    Israel
     
    • Negev desert
    		Gross, S. (1977): The Mineralogy of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Geological Survey of Israel, Bulletin no. 70, 80 pp.
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
          • Monte Somma
            • Sant'Anastasia
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
    Rammelsberg, C. (1858): Über die Zusammensetzung des Titaneisens sowie der rhomboedrisch und oktaedrisch krystallisierten Eisenoxyde überhaupt, VII Octaedrisches Eisenerz vom Vesuv, Annalen der Physik und Chemie, Vol. 180/F2-104, 497-552.
            • Torre del Greco
    		Russo, M. (2003): Mineralogia Vesuviana - Villa Inglese. Micro (località), 2003, 1-10
    • Latium
      • Rome Province
        • Alban Hills
          • Marino
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
        • Rome
    		Bachechi F., Federico M., Fornaseri M. (1966) - Prima segnalazione di ludwigite e di magnesioferrite nelle geodi delle "pozzolane nere" di Corcolle (regione vulcanica dei Colli Albani). Periodico di Mineralogia – Roma p. 717. ; Bachechi F., Federico M., Fornaseri M. (1966) - La ludwigite e i minerali che l'accompagnano nelle geodi delle "pozzolane nere" di Corcolle (Tivoli, Colli Albani). Periodico di Mineralogia – Roma pp. 975-1022., AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
    • Sicily
      • Catania Province
        • Etna Volcanic Complex
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
      • Messina Province
        • Lipari
          • Eolie Islands (Aeolian Islands)
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
    MONTRASIO A., SCIESA E., VIGNOLA P. (1996) – Collezionare minerali – Hobby & Work, Ed., Milano, 800 pp.
    Japan
     
    • Hokkaido Island
      • Shiribeshi Province
    		Nagata (1982) Ganseki-Koubutsu-Koshogaku Zasshi, 77, 23-31.
    Netherlands
     
    • Limburg
      • Kerkrade
    Norway
     
    • Buskerud
      • Modum
        • Snarum
    		Jøsang, Ottar (1966): Geologiske og petrologiske undersøkelser i Modumfeltet. Norges Geologiske Undersøkelse nr 235, 91-97
    Jøsang (1966, p. 95); Neumann (1985, p. 55).
    Poland
     
    • Upper Silesia (Śląskie)
      • Zawiercie District
    		Koszowska E., Salata D. 2001: Minerals of the hydrotalcite group in metasomatically altered carbonate rocks from Zawiercie, S Poland. Mineralogia Polonica, vol. 32, no 1, 69-84
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Prebaikalia (Pribaikal'e)
        • Irkutskaya Oblast'
    		Mazurov, M.P., Grishina, S.N., Istomin, V.E., and Titov, A.T. (2007): Geology of Ore Deposits 49(4), 271-284.
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Primorskiy Kray
    		[MinRec 32:8]
    • Urals Region
      • Southern Urals
        • Chelyabinsk Oblast'
          • Chelyabinsk coal basin
            • Kopeisk
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Slovakia
     
    • Prešov Region
      • Northern Slanské Mts
    		Ďuďa,R., et al., 1981: Mineralógia severnej časti Slanských vrchov. Min.Slovaca, Monografia 2, 98s
    Duda et. all.,1981:Minerály severnej časti Slanských vrchov. Min.Slovca,Monografia 2,Bratislava, 98 p
    Sweden
     
    • Värmland
      • Filipstad
    		Nysten, P., Holtstam, D. and Jonsson, E. (1999) The Långban minerals. In Långban - The mines,their minerals, geology and explorers (D. Holtstam and J. Langhof, eds.), Swedish Museum of Natural History and Raster Förlag, Stockholm & Chr. Weise Verlag, Munich, pp. 89-183.
        • Nordmark
    		AmMin 80, 1065
    USA
     
    • California
      • Riverside Co.
        • Crestmore
    		[micromounts@yahoogroups.com]
    • Idaho
      • Lemhi Co.
        • Spring Mountain District
          • Quartzite Canyon
    		Ream, Lanny R. 2004. Idaho Minerals, 2nd edition, Revised and Updated
    • New Mexico
      • Catron Co.
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    • South Carolina
      • Aiken Co.
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
      • Anderson Co.
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
      • Beaufort Co.
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
      • Laurens Co.
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
      • Spartanburg Co.
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    • Utah
      • Summit Co.
        • Wasatch Mts
          • Park City District (Unita District)
            • Ontario Mine
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
      • Wasatch Co.
        • Blue Ledge District (Bald Mountain)
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    • Virginia
      • Smyth Co.
        • Iron Mountain District
    		Minerals of Virginia, 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    • Wyoming
      • Johnson Co.
    		AmMin 72:137
    Mineral and/or Locality
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