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Chromite

Chromite
General
CategoryMineral
Chemical formulairon magnesium chromium oxide:(Fe,Mg)Cr2O4
Identification
Color Black to brownish black
Crystal habit Octahedral rare; massive to granular
Crystal system Isometric; hexoctahedral
Cleavageabsent
FractureConchoidal
Mohs Scale hardness 5.5
LusterSubmetallic
Refractive indexSubtranslucent to opaque
Pleochroism N/A
Streak Dark brown
Specific gravity 4.5 - 4.8
FusibilityInfusable
Solubility?
Other CharacteristicsWeakly magnetic
Major varieties
Magnesiochromite

Chromite, iron magnesium chromium oxide: (Fe,Mg)Cr2O4, is an oxide mineral belonging to the spinel group. Magnesium is always present in variable amounts, also aluminium and iron substitute for chromium.

Chromite is found in peridotite and other layered ultramafic intrusive rocks and also found in metamorphic rocks such as serpentinites. Ore deposites of chromite form as early magmatic differentiates. It is commonly associated with olivine, magnetite, serpentine, and corundum. Chromite is the chief ore of chromium.


References and external links

Last updated: 01-04-2007 01:18:57
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