Kosmochlor

Kosmochlor
General
Category Inosilicate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
NaCr3+Si2O6
Strunz classification 9.DA.25
Crystal symmetry Monoclinic prismatic
H-M symbol: (2/m)
Space group: C 2/c
Unit cell a = 9.57 Å, b = 8.71 Å, c = 5.26 Å; β = 107.49°; Z=4
Identification
Color Emerald-green
Crystal habit Prismatic crystals and fibrous aggregates
Crystal system Monoclinic
Twinning Simple, lamellar on {100} and {001}
Cleavage Good on {110} parting on {001}
Mohs scale hardness 6
Luster Vitreous
Streak Light green
Diaphaneity Semitransparent
Specific gravity 3.51-3.60
Optical properties Biaxial (-)
Refractive index nα = 1.766 nγ = 1.781
Birefringence δ = 0.015
Pleochroism X = yellowish green; Y = blue-green, grass-green; Z = emerald-green
Dispersion r > v
References [1][2][3]

Kosmochlor is a rare chromium sodium clinopyroxene with the chemical formula NaCr3+Si2O6.

The name is from German kosmisch, for its occurrence in meteorites, and the Greek chlor, for green.[3] It was first reported in 1897 from the Toluca meteorite, Jiquipilco, Mexico.[1]

It occurs as a major constituent of some jadeitites and as an accessory mineral of some iron meteorites. Associated minerals include cliftonite (graphite), chromian diopside, troilite at Toluca; daubreelite, krinovite, roedderite, high albite, richterite, chromite (Canyon Diablo); and jadeite, chromite and chlorite (Burma).[2]

References

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