Clinoferrosilite - Encyclopedia
Class : Silicates
Subclass : Inosilicates
Crystal system : Monoclinic
Chemistry : FeSiO3
Rarity : Very rare
Clinoferrosilite belongs to the group of pyroxenes. It is a rare dimorph of ferrosilite which forms a continuous series with clinoenstatite. Its name is related to its monoclinic crystal system and its chemical similarity to ferrosilite. It is found in acicular crystals barely millimetric in size, black to dark green or slightly brown in color.
Main photo : Clinoferrosilite on amethyst from Sant'Antioco, Sardinia, Italy © Christophe Boutry
Clinoferrosilite in the World
Twinning
No twin known for this mineral species.
Fakes and treatments
No fake identified for this mineral species.
Hardness : 5 to 6
Density : 4.07
Fracture : Conchoidal
Streak : White
TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.764 to 1.792
Birefringence : 0.028
Optical character : Biaxial +
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : None
Solubility : Insoluble
Magnetism : Paramagnetic
Radioactivity : None