Ferrosilite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Ferrosilite
Formula:
Fe2+2Si2O6
Simplified: FeSiO3.
Colour:
Dark brown to black
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
5 - 6
Specific Gravity:
3.60 - 4.00
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Originally a hypothetical mineral named by Henry Stevens Washington [1867-1934] in 1903. First used to name natural material in 1935 by Norman L. Bowen.
Polymorph of:
Enstatite-Ferrosilite Series
Note: The name has been used in the past to describe the monoclinic dimorph clinoferrosilite, with the orthorhombic dimorph having the name orthoferrosilite so be careful when reading older texts.
Note: The name has been used in the past to describe the monoclinic dimorph clinoferrosilite, with the orthorhombic dimorph having the name orthoferrosilite so be careful when reading older texts.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1528
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1528:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
06757b54-48fa-4ad1-90c7-5ff4db6c4a7f
Classification of Ferrosilite
Previous petrological nomenclature of clinopyroxenes from basaltic magmas. Note this is not the current usage of the name! (after Poldervaart & Hess, 1951)
IMA Classification of Ferrosilite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
9.DA.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
A : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si2O6; pyroxene family
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
A : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si2O6; pyroxene family
65.1.2.2
65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
1 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P=2
65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
1 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P=2
14.19.2
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
19 : Silicates of Fe
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
19 : Silicates of Fe
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Fs | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Fs | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
Fs | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
Fs | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
Fsl | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Pronunciation of Ferrosilite
Pronunciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Ferrosilite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Dark brown to black
Streak:
Pale gray brown
Hardness:
5 - 6 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Very Good
{210}
{210}
Parting:
{100}, {010}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Splintery
Density:
3.60 - 4.00 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.00 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ferrosilite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.710 - 1.767 nβ = 1.723 - 1.770 nγ = 1.726 - 1.788
Birefringence:
0.016-0.021
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.016 - 0.021
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
High
Dispersion:
r > v moderate
Optical Extinction:
Parallel
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X pinkish brown, Z greenish brown
Chemistry of Ferrosilite
Mindat Formula:
Fe2+2Si2O6
Simplified: FeSiO3.
Simplified: FeSiO3.
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ca,Na,K,Al,Co,Ni,Mn,Ti,Cr
Crystallography of Ferrosilite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbca
Cell Parameters:
a = 18.43 Å, b = 9.08 Å, c = 5.23 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.03 : 1 : 0.576
Unit Cell V:
875.21 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Usually in elongated grains; rare crystals are bladed to prismatic.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0000247 | Ferrosilite | Burnham C W, Ohashi Y, Hafner S S, Virgo D (1971) Cation distribution and atomic thermal vibrations in an iron-rich orthopyroxene American Mineralogist 56 850-876 | 1971 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000362 | Ferrosilite | Smyth J R (1973) An orthopyroxene structure up to 850 C American Mineralogist 58 636-648 | 1973 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000363 | Ferrosilite | Smyth J R (1973) An orthopyroxene structure up to 850 C note temperature factors for O1b appear incorrect American Mineralogist 58 636-648 | 1973 | 0 | 448 | ||
0000364 | Ferrosilite | Smyth J R (1973) An orthopyroxene structure up to 850 C American Mineralogist 58 636-648 | 1973 | 0 | 553 | ||
0000365 | Ferrosilite | Smyth J R (1973) An orthopyroxene structure up to 850 C American Mineralogist 58 636-648 | 1973 | 0 | 773 | ||
0000366 | Ferrosilite | Smyth J R (1973) An orthopyroxene structure up to 850 C American Mineralogist 58 636-648 | 1973 | 0 | 973 | ||
0000367 | Ferrosilite | Smyth J R (1973) An orthopyroxene structure up to 850 C American Mineralogist 58 636-648 | 1973 | 0 | 1123 | ||
0000487 | Ferrosilite | Sueno S, Cameron M, Prewitt C T (1976) Orthoferrosilite: High-temperature crystal chemistry American Mineralogist 61 38-53 | 1976 | 0 | 297 | ||
0000488 | Ferrosilite | Sueno S, Cameron M, Prewitt C T (1976) Orthoferrosilite: High-temperature crystal chemistry American Mineralogist 61 38-53 | 1976 | 0 | 673 | ||
0000489 | Ferrosilite | Sueno S, Cameron M, Prewitt C T (1976) Orthoferrosilite: High-temperature crystal chemistry American Mineralogist 61 38-53 | 1976 | 0 | 873 | ||
0000490 | Ferrosilite | Sueno S, Cameron M, Prewitt C T (1976) Orthoferrosilite: High-temperature crystal chemistry American Mineralogist 61 38-53 | 1976 | 0 | 1073 | ||
0000491 | Ferrosilite | Sueno S, Cameron M, Prewitt C T (1976) Orthoferrosilite: High-temperature crystal chemistry American Mineralogist 61 38-53 | 1976 | 0 | 1173 | ||
0000492 | Ferrosilite | Sueno S, Cameron M, Prewitt C T (1976) Orthoferrosilite: High-temperature crystal chemistry American Mineralogist 61 38-53 | 1976 | 0 | 1253 | ||
0019860 | Ferrosilite | Abdu Y A, Hawthorne F C (2013) Local structure in C2/c clinopyroxenes on the hedenbergite (CaFeSi2O6)- ferrosilite (Fe2Si2O6) join: A new interpretation for the Mossbauer spectra of Ca-rich C2/c clinopyroxenes and implications for pyroxene exsolution Note split-M2-O2-O3 model American Mineralogist 98 1227-1234 | 2013 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0008004 | Ferrosilite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 0 | 293 | ||
0008005 | Ferrosilite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 0.83 | 293 | ||
0008006 | Ferrosilite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 1.71 | 293 | ||
0008007 | Ferrosilite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 2.84 | 293 | ||
0008008 | Ferrosilite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 3.65 | 293 | ||
0019764 | Ferrosilite | Weber H P (1983) Ferrosilite III, the high-temperature polymorph of FeSiO3 Acta Crystallographica C39 1-3 | 1983 | synthetic at 2 GPa and 1523 K for 20 h | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
6.45 Å | (30) |
4.61 Å | (90) |
3.23 Å | (70) |
3.00 Å | (80) |
2.91 Å | (100) |
2.59 Å | (40) |
2.52 Å | (30) |
1.781 Å | (20) |
Comments:
21-0721 (synthetic); 31-0635 (magnesian ferrosilite)
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 4a: Earth’s earliest continental crust | >4.4-3.0 |
19 : Granitic intrusive rocks | |
20 : Acidic volcanic rocks | |
High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations | |
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) | |
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Synonyms of Ferrosilite
Other Language Names for Ferrosilite
Russian:Ферросилит
Spanish:Ferrosilita
Relationship of Ferrosilite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Donpeacorite | (Mn,Mg)MgSi2O6 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca |
Enstatite | Mg2Si2O6 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca |
Protoenstatite | Mg2Si2O6 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
7 photos of Ferrosilite associated with Almandine | Fe2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
6 photos of Ferrosilite associated with Fayalite | Fe2+2SiO4 |
6 photos of Ferrosilite associated with Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
6 photos of Ferrosilite associated with Roedderite | K(◻Na)Mg2Mg3[Si12O30] |
4 photos of Ferrosilite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
3 photos of Ferrosilite associated with Anorthoclase | (Na,K)AlSi3O8 |
2 photos of Ferrosilite associated with Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
2 photos of Ferrosilite associated with Magnetite | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
2 photos of Ferrosilite associated with Wollastonite | Ca3(Si3O9) |
1 photo of Ferrosilite associated with L5 chondrite meteorite |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.DA. | Protoenstatite | Mg2Si2O6 |
9.DA. | Ryabchikovite | CuMgSi2O6 |
9.DA. | Colomeraite | NaTi3+Si2O6 |
9.DA.05 | Donpeacorite | (Mn,Mg)MgSi2O6 |
9.DA.05 | Enstatite | Mg2Si2O6 |
9.DA.10 | Clinoenstatite | MgSiO3 |
9.DA.10 | Clinoferrosilite | Fe2+2Si2O6 |
9.DA.10 | Kanoite | Mn2+(Mg,Mn2+)Si2O6 |
9.DA.10 | Pigeonite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
9.DA.15 | Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
9.DA.15 | Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 |
9.DA.15 | Esseneite | CaFe3+[AlSiO6] |
9.DA.15 | Hedenbergite | CaFe2+Si2O6 |
9.DA.15 va | Jeffersonite | Ca(Mn,Zn,Fe)Si2O6 |
9.DA.15 | Johannsenite | CaMn2+Si2O6 |
9.DA.15 | Petedunnite | Ca(Zn,Mn2+,Mg,Fe2+)Si2O6 |
9.DA.15 | Davisite | CaScAlSiO6 |
9.DA.15 | Kushiroite | CaAl[AlSiO6] |
9.DA.15 | Grossmanite | CaTi3+ AlSiO6 |
9.DA.20 | Aegirine-augite | (NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(Fe3+eAlfFe2+gMgh)Si2O6 |
9.DA.20 | Omphacite | (NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(AleFe3+fFe2+gMgh)Si2O6 |
9.DA.25 | Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
9.DA.25 | Jadeite | Na(Al,Fe3+)Si2O6 |
9.DA.25 | Jervisite | NaSc3+Si2O6 |
9.DA.25 | Kosmochlor | NaCrSi2O6 |
9.DA.25 | Namansilite | NaMn3+Si2O6 |
9.DA.25 | Natalyite | NaV3+Si2O6 |
9.DA.25 | Tissintite | (Ca,Na,◻)AlSi2O6 |
9.DA.30 | Spodumene | LiAlSi2O6 |
9.DA.35 | Hiroseite | FeSiO3 |
Fluorescence of Ferrosilite
Not fluorescent
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Ferrosilite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Ferrosilite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1528.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Ferrosilite
Reference List:
Localities for Ferrosilite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Algeria | |
| L. Latouche : "L'orthoferrosilite et les roches associées de la région des Gour Oumeladen (N.E. Ahaggar, Algérie) |
| Bendaoud et al. (2003) |
Angola | |
| Sighinolfi et al. (1990) |
Antarctica | |
| Graham (1979) |
Argentina | |
| Saavedra et al. (2016) |
Australia | |
| Sutton (2017) |
| Sutton & Mills (2012) |
| Simpson (1948) |
Austria | |
| Taucher et al. (1998) |
Brazil | |
| Campo-Rodríguez et al. (2021) |
Cameroon | |
| Tetsopgang et al. (2003) |
Canada | |
| mineral chemistry et al. (3) +1 other reference |
| Klein (1966) |
Waard | |
Berg et al. (1976) | |
| Klein (1966) |
www.geosurv.gov.nf.ca/gacmap/LAB2.html. | |
| Miller et al. (1995) |
| Owen et al. (1988) |
| Can. Mineral. (1993) |
| Deer |
| Grew et al. (2010) |
| Sage (1987) |
| Olivier Langelier Collection |
| Daryl Macfarland |
| Steadman et al. (2015) |
China | |
| Yingjun Liu et al. (1983) |
| Yaohui Jiang et al. (2005) |
| Fengmei Chai et al. (2006) |
Finland | |
| Henry (1935) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Berbain et al. (2005) |
Germany | |
| Bender et al. (1994) |
| Blass et al. (2006) |
| Blass (2010) |
| Blass |
| Blass et al. (2006) |
Blass et al. (2006) | |
| Blass et al. (2006) |
| Blass et al. (2006) |
| Blass et al. (2006) |
Hungary | |
| Mineral Species of Hungary |
India | |
| Leelanandam |
| Anantha Iyer et al. (1975) |
Anantha Iyer et al. (1975) | |
| Howie |
| N. Subba Reddy (1982) |
Indian Ocean | |
Maciąg et al. (2019) | |
Italy | |
| Ciriotti et al. (2011) |
Japan | |
| PXRD by John Attard |
PXRD by John Attard | |
| Kuno |
| Kuno |
| Kuno |
| Matsueda (1980) |
| Analyses by Dr Shinichi Kuramoto and Dr ... |
| Analyses by Dr Shinichi Kuramoto and Dr ... |
Kenya | |
| Rocky Mountain (53rd) |
Lithuania | |
| Mason B. (1979) |
Mongolia | |
| Savina et al. (2020) |
New Zealand | |
| Hiess et al. (2007) |
J. W. COLE et al. (Whakaari) | |
| ganko.eps.nagoya-u.ac.jp (n.d.) |
Northwest Africa Meteorites | |
Xia et al. (2021) | |
www.lpi.usra.edu (2015) +5 other references | |
Norway | |
| Deer |
| Devaraju et al. (1974) |
| Phillip Betancourt |
Philippines | |
| Ruth et al. (2021) |
Poland | |
| Borkowska M. 1985 - Skały gabrowe ... |
| Krzemińska E. & Bagiński B. 2003: THE KOŚCIERZYNA AND ŻARNOWIEC ENDERBITES ( N-POLAND) |
| Krzemińska E. & Bagiński B. 2003: THE KOŚCIERZYNA AND ŻARNOWIEC ENDERBITES ( N-POLAND) |
Romania | |
| Hîrtopanu (2006) +3 other references |
Russia | |
| Am Min 90:1402-1412 (deposit item) |
Dugushkina et al. (2023) | |
| Safina et al. (2015) |
| Sharygin et al. (2010) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Barkov et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
| Shchukina et al. (Vol. 473, No. 1, pp. 333-337) |
| Erokhin et al. (2017, December) |
| Yakovenchuk et al. (2008) |
Smol’kin et al. (2023) | |
| Timofeeva et al. (2014) |
| Kazachenko et al. (2013) |
| Коневин et al. (2020) |
| Trunilina et al. (2024) |
| Trunilina et al. (2024) |
| Bunch (1975) |
| Tatarinov et al. (2021) |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra (1986) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
South Korea | |
Lee (ed) +7 other references | |
Spain | |
| Martin-Izard et al. (1995) |
Sweden | |
| Henry (1935) |
| |
| Sundius (1932) +1 other reference |
UK | |
| Henry (1935) +1 other reference |
| Muir |
| Henry (1935) +2 other references |
| Render (n.d.) |
| ... |
Ukraine | |
| Sharygin et al. (2014) |
| Gurov et al. (2015) |
USA | |
| Larsen et al. (1948 [1950]) |
| Espenshade |
| Espenshade |
| Hanbook of Mineralogy |
| Rocks&Min. 76:256 |
| NY State Museum spec. no. 15862 |
| Speer et al. (2008) |
| EL-Shazley et al. (2011) |
| - (Bill Wise, Northern California Mineralogical Association spring 2003 newsletter) +1 other reference |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
The Moon | |
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Rollinsons quarry, Malmsbury, Macedon Ranges Shire, Victoria, Australia