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Magnetite crystals
© Modris Baum
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Magnetite, a member of the spinel group, is extremely rare at MSH.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is black.
Luster is metallic.
Diaphaneity is opaque.
Crystal System is isometric; Fd
Crystal Habits include small, sharp cubes and octahedra to
less than 1mm.
Cleavage none, {111} parting is good.
Fracture is uneven to subconchoidal.
Hardness is 5.5 – 6.5
Specific Gravity is approximately 5.2 g/cm
Streak is black.
Associated Minerals include albite, andradite, biotite, fluorite,
molybdenite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, titanite, and zircon.
Distinguishing Features: Color and magnetic properties.
Origin: Named in 1845, though known since antiquity, by Thales of
Milatus (ca. 625-547 BCE), who called the mineral magnet, because
it was found in the lands of the Magnetes in Thessaly, Greece.
CLASSIFICATION:
Dana System
# 7.2.2.3
Strunz Classification
# IV/B.02-20
REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:321 (1990), Dana 8:299-300 (1997)
DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:
MSH
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