Magnesite is a common mineral known since ancient times. It is rare in crystals, usually in the form of continuous coarse-grained masses. It is formed in a hydrothermal way, as well as in sedimentary rocks and during the weathering of ultramafic rocks.
You can see magnesite stone for sale and buy it in the Minerals of Russia online store.
General | |
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Category | Carbonate mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) |
MgCO3 |
IMA symbol | Mgs |
Strunz classification | 5.AB.05 |
Crystal system | Trigonal |
Crystal class | Hexagonal scalenohedral (3m) H-M symbol: (3 2/m) |
Space group | R3c |
Identification | |
Color | Colorless, white, pale yellow, pale brown, faintly pink, lilac-rose |
Crystal habit | Usually massive, rarely as rhombohedrons or hexagonal prisms |
Cleavage | [1011] perfect |
Fracture | Conchoidal |
Tenacity | Brittle |
Mohs scale hardness | 3.5 – 4.5 |
Luster | Vitreous |
Streak | white |
Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
Specific gravity | 3.0 – 3.2 |
Optical properties | Uniaxial (-) |
Refractive index | nω=1.508 – 1.510 nε=1.700 |
Birefringence | 0.191 |
Fusibility | infusible |
Solubility | Effervesces in hot HCl |
Other characteristics | May exhibit pale green to pale blue fluorescence and phosphorescence under UV; triboluminescent |