Mineral 1.0: Augite

Mineral 1.0

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Augite(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe,Al,Ti)(SiAl)₂O₆

Class: Silicate
Subclass: Pyroxene
Hardness: 5.5 - 6
Density: 3.2 - 3.5
Streak: White or gray
Lustre: Vitreous
Habit: Small blocky grains.
Colours: Dark-greeny black colour
   Crystal System: Monoclinic
Cleavage: Good / Uneven
Fracture: Uneven to conchoidal
Magnetism: None
Reaction with HCl: None
Identification in hand sample:
Colour, cleavage and hardness are indicative of a pyroxene. Augite has 2 cleavage planes at 90°.
Associations:
Found in mafic to ultramafic rocks, and in high-grade metamorphs.
Industrial / ecomonic uses:
None.
Comments:
Often twinned.



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