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Warwickite

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Warwickite
Warwickite sample
General
CategoryBorate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
(Mg,Fe2+)3Ti[O,BO3]2
IMA symbolWwk[1]
Strunz classification6.AB.20
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classDipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupPnam
Identification
Colordark brown, grey to black¨
Cleavageperfect on {100}
Fractureirregular/uneven
Mohs scale hardness3-4
Lustersub-Vitreous, pearly, sub-metallic, dull
Streakbluish black
Specific gravity3.34 - 3.36
References[2]

Warwickite is an iron magnesium titanium borate mineral with the chemical formula (MgFe)3Ti(O, BO3)2 or Mg(Ti,Fe3+, Al)(BO3)O. It occurs as brown to black prismatic orthorhombic crystals which are vitreous and transparent. It has a Mohs hardness of 3 to 4 and a specific gravity of 3.36.[3][4]

Occurrence

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It occurs metasomatized limestone skarns and in lamproite and carbonatite veinlets. It was first described in 1838 near Warwick, Orange County, New York. It has also been reported from Bancroft, Ontario; in Murcia Province, Spain; in Siberia and near Pyongyang, North Korea.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Mineralienatlas
  3. ^ http://webmineral.com/data/Warwickite.shtml Webmineral
  4. ^ http://www.mindat.org/min-4245.html Mindat
  5. ^ http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/warwickite.pdf Handbook of Mineralogy