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Maghemite

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Montenero quarry, Onano, Viterbo Province, Latium, Italy
© Antonio Borrelli

Show Maghemite Photos (2)
Formula:
Fe
 
2
O
 
3
System:IsometricColour:Brown, brick-red
Hardness:6
Name:From the first syllables of MAGnetite and HEMatite, in allusion to the magnetism and composition


Maghemite Group.

Classification of Maghemite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/C.06-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.BB.15

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:4.3.7.1

4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
3 : A2X3
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.20.3

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
20 : Oxides of Fe
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Physical Properties of Maghemite

Lustre:Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Brown, brick-red
Streak:Brown
Hardness (Mohs):6

Crystallography of Maghemite

Crystal System:Isometric
Cell Parameters:a = 8.33Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 578.01 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Massive

Optical Data of Maghemite

Type:Isotropic
Colour in reflected light:White to greyish blue

Chemical Properties of Maghemite

Formula:
Fe
 
2
O
 
3
Essential elements:Fe, O
All elements listed in formula:Fe, O

Relationship of Maghemite to other Species

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.05Magnesioferrite
MgFe
3+
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.05Tegengrenite
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
Sb
5+
0.5
(Mn
3+
 
,Si,Ti)
 
0.5
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.15Titanomaghemite
Fe
3+
 
(Fe
3+
 
,Ti
4+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,[])
 
2
O
 
4
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
7.20.1Wüstite
FeO
7.20.2Magnetite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4
7.20.4Hematite
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
7.20.11Magnesioferrite
MgFe
3+
2
O
 
4
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 Maghemite

Synonyms:
Ferromagnetic ferric oxideOxymagniteSosmanite
German names:
Maghemit
Russian names:
Маггемит
Spanish names:
Maghemita
Varieties:
AlumomaghemiteHydromaghemite

Other Information

Magnetism:Ferromagnetic
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 Maghemite

Reference List:Sosman and Posnjak (1925), Washington Academy of Science, Journal: 15: 329.

Wagner (1927), Economic Geology: 22: 845.

Schneiderhöhn and Ramdohr (1931): 2: 537.

Winchell (1931), American Mineralogist: 16: 270 (as oxymagnite).

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: 708-709.

Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (1979): 69: 249.

Internet Links for Maghemite

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

    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.
    Australia
     
    • New South Wales
      • Cunningham Co.
        • Trundle
    		Narromine 1:250 000 Mine Data Sheets
      • Kennedy Co.
        • Fifield
    		Narromine 1:250 000 Mine Data Sheets
      • Narromine Co.
        • Narromine
    		Narromine 1:250 000 Mine Data Sheets
    • Victoria
      • Otway Ranges
    • Western Australia
    Austria
     
    • Salzburg
      • Salzburg
        • Untersberg massif
    		A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs (1989)
    Bolivia
     
    • Santa Cruz Department
      • Chiquitos Province
    Brazil
     
    • Central-West Region
      • Mato Grosso do Sul
        • Corumbá
    		Barbosa, O. (1950) Esclarecimiento sobre e estratigrafia da serie Jacadigo. Min e Metal, 151.
    Canada
     
    • British Columbia
      • Kamloops Mining Division
        • Little Fort
    		Dana 7:I:708.
    Channel Islands
     
    • Jersey
    		Ch. Wagner and D. Velde, Bull. Minéral. , 1985, 108, pp. 173-187.
    China
     
    • Hebei Province
      • Chengde Prefecture
        • Yan Mts (Yan Shan)
    		http://www.chiemgau-impact.com/footnotes.html
    • Liaoning Province (Manchuria; Dongbei Region)
      • Liaoyang Prefecture
        • Liaoyang City
          • Gongchangling District
    		http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/open-file/of03-220/DATABASE/lode_deposits.txt
    • Shanxi Province
      • Datong Prefecture
        • Lingqiu Co.
    		http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/open-file/of03-220/DATABASE/lode_deposits.txt
    Colombia
     
    • Córdoba Department
      • Montelíbano
    		Econ Geol (2004) 99:1197-1213
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Hradec Králové Region
        • Trutnov (Trautenau)
          • Radvanice
    		Jirásek, J.: Thermal Changes of the Rocks in the Dump Pile of the Kateřina Colliery in Radvanice (Eastern Bohemia). Ostrava: VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, Institute of Geological Engineering - 541, 2001. 69 p.
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Odenwald
        • Eberbach
          • Katzenbuckel Mt.
    • Bavaria
      • Franconia
        • Maroldsweisach
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Laach lake volcanic complex
          • Kruft
    		Blass, G.; Graf, H.W., Neue Mineralien und Bestimmungen (18), Mineralien-Welt 8/3, 15, 1997
          • Mendig
            • Niedermendig
    		Blass, G.; Graf, H.W., Neue Mineralien und Bestimmungen (18), Mineralien-Welt 8/3, 15, 1997
    Blass, G.; Graf, H.W., Neue Mineralien und Bestimmungen (18), Mineralien-Welt 8/3, 15, 1997
              • Wingertsberg Mt.
    		Blass, G.; Graf, H.W., Neue Mineralien und Bestimmungen (18), Mineralien-Welt 8/3, 15, 1997
    • Schleswig-Holstein
      • Plön
        • Damsdorf - Stocksee - Tensfeld area
    		A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
    Israel
     
    Gross, S. (1977): The Mineralogy of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Geological Survey of Israel, Bulletin no. 70, 80 pp.
    Italy
     
    • Latium
      • Rome Province
        • Alban Hills
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
        • Tivoli
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
      • Viterbo Province
        • Onano
    		M.E. Ciriotti (2005) Probed
    • Sardinia
      • Nuoro Province
        • Gadoni
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
    • Trentino-Alto Adige
      • Bolzano Province (South Tyrol)
        • Aurina Valley (Ahrnbach Valley)
    		De Michele, V. (1974). Guida mineralogica d'Italia. Istituto Geografico De Agostini, Novara, 2 vol.
    • Tuscany
      • Arezzo Province
        • Valdarno (Val d'Arno)
          • Cavriglia
            • Santa Barbara lignite District
    		Mineralogical Record, 25 (4), 293-299.
      • Grosseto Province
        • Pitigliano
    		M.E. Ciriotti (2005) Probed
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chugoku Region
        • Yamaguchi Prefecture
    		Dr. Matsuo Nambu collection (curated by the Geological Survey of Japan)
    • Nansei Archipelago
      • Okinawa Prefecture
        • Ishigaki Island
    		Powder XRD by John Attard, January 2008.
        • Okinawa Island
          • Yanbaru region
    Mongolia
     
    • Gobi Desert
    		Pavel M. Kartashov data
    Namibia
     
    • Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region
      • Tsumeb
    		No reference listed
    New Caledonia
     
    • Northern Province
      • Nouméa Commune
        • Népoui
    		[var: Alumomaghemite] T. Sameshima et al. , Am. Min. , 1983, 68, pp. 1076-1082. / C. Campiglio et al. , Bull. Minéral. , 1986, 109, pp. 423-440.
    New Zealand
     
    • North Island
      • Te Aroha
    		Courtney, S.F., King, P. & Rodgers, K.A., (1990). A Check List of Minerals from the Tui Mine, Te Aroha, New Zealand. New Zealand Natural Sciences 17: 95-98.
    Norway
     
    • Vestfold
      • Holmestrand
    		Everdingen (1960); Neumann (1985, p. 64).
      • Horten-Borre
    		Everdingen (1960); Neumann (1985, p. 64).
    Portugal
     
    • Beja District
      • Ferreira do Alentejo
    		CanMin 41:1105-1124 (2003)
    Russia
     
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
    		www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/lovo.htm
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Southern Low Tatra Mts
    		Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590
    • Košice Region
      • Čierna hora Mts
        • Družstevná pri Hornáde
    		Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590
    • Prešov Region
      • Northern Slanské Mts
        • Červenica (Czerwenitza)
          • Dubník
    		Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590
    Duda et. all.,1981:Minerály severnej časti Slanských vrchov. Min.Slovca,Monografia 2,Bratislava, 98 p
    Spain
     
    • Aragón
      • Zaragoza
        • Luesma
    		-Calvo, M. (2008). Minerales de Aragón. Prames, Zaragoza, 463 pags.
    • Catalonia
      • Girona (Gerona)
        • Selva
          • Sant Martí Sacalm-Susqueda
    		Mata-Perelló (1990) "Els minerals de Catalunya" Institut d'Estudis Catalans, Barcelona: 441p
    Sweden
     
    • Medelpad
      • Sundsvall
    		No reference listed
    • Västmanland
      • Norberg
    		No reference listed
    USA
     
    • Alaska
      • Nome Borough
        • Seward Peninsula
    		http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/schoenfliesite.pdf.
    • Arizona
      • Coconino Co.
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 282, 403; Gigl, P.D. & F. Dachille (1968), Effect of pressure and temperature on the reversal transitions of stishovite, Meteorites: 4: 123-136; Mead, C., et al (1965), Metallic spheroids from Meteor Crater, AZ, Am.Min.: 50: 667-681.
      • Mohave Co.
        • Lost Basin Mts (Lost Basin Range)
          • Lost Basin District
    		Theodore, T.G., et al (1987), USGS PP 1361: 43-44, 141 (Table 11).
      • Pima Co.
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 282.
    • California
      • Mariposa Co.
    		Alfredo Petrov collection
      • Riverside Co.
        • Eagle Mtns. District
    		[Murch, J & Webb, R (1966) Minerals of California, California Division of Mines and Geology Bulletin 189]
    • Colorado
      • Eagle Co.
        • Gore Mountains
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
      • Pitkin Co.
        • White Rock Granodiorite
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    • Connecticut
      • Middlesex Co.
    		Januzzi, 1976. Mineral Localities of CT and Southeastern NY State, p.235
    • Massachusetts
      • Franklin Co.
        • Rowe
    		Cerato, A.. 2003: Mineralogical Study of Davis Mine, Rowe, MA, Using X-Ray Diffraction Techniques
    • Nevada
      • Eureka Co.
        • Safford District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Mexico
      • Eddy Co.
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    • Oregon
      • Josephine Co.
        • Josephine Creek District
    		www.geo.cornell.edu/geology/faculty/Bird.html.
    • Virginia
      • Rockbridge Co.
        • Glasgow
    		Minerals of Virginia, 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
      • Washington Co.
        • Alvarado
    		Minerals of Virginia, 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    Mineral and/or Locality
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