Braunite

Braunite

Braunite, from San Marcel, Piemonte , Italy
General
Category Nesosilicates
Formula
(repeating unit)		 Mn2+Mn3+6[O8|SiO4]
Strunz classification 09.AG.05
Dana classification 7.5.1.3
Identification
Color brownish black, steel-grey
Crystal system tetragonal
Cleavage {112} perfect
Mohs scale hardness 6-6½
Luster sub-metallic
Streak black
Diaphaneity opaque
Specific gravity 4.72 - 4.83

Braunite is a silicate mineral containing both di- and tri-valent manganese with the chemical formula: Mn2+Mn3+6[O8|SiO4].[1] Common impurities include iron, calcium, boron, barium, titanium, aluminium, and magnesium.

Braunite forms grey/black tetragonal crystals and has a Mohs hardness of 6 - 6.5.

It was named after the Wilhelm von Braun (1790–1872) of Gotha, Thuringia, Germany.[1]

A calcium iron bearing variant, named braunite II (formula: Ca(Mn3+,Fe3+)14SiO24), was discovered and described in 1967 from Kalahari, Cape Province, South Africa.[2][3]

References

  1. 1 2 Mindat
  2. ↑ JoHan P. R. De Viliers, The crystal structure of braunite II and its relation to bixbyite and braunite, American Mineralogist, Volume 65, pages 756-765, 1980
  3. ↑ Mindat, Braunite-II
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