Augite
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Description
A shiny, dark-green to black Pyroxene mineral. Augite is a translucent, silicate mineral containing large amounts of Magnesium, Iron, and Aluminum. It occurs throughout the world, often in association with Basalt or Gabbro. In North America, augite is found in Colorado, Oregon, New York, and Ontario. Augite is also found in lunar rocks and meteorites.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Augit (Deut., Pol.); augiet (Ned.); augita (Esp.); augite (Port.)
Physical and Chemical Properties
Monoclinic crystals that are usually short, thick and prismatic. Cleavage is good in two directions (right angles)
Streak = green. Luster = vitreous to submetallic. Brittle with uneven fracture.
| Composition | (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe,Al)(Si,Al)2O6 |
|---|---|
| Mohs Hardness | 5.0 - 6.0 |
| Density | 2.93-3.49 g/ml |
| Refractive Index | 1.671 - 1.761 |
Resources and Citations
- Mineralogy Database: Augite
- Sue Fuller, Rocks and Minerals, DK Publishing, Inc., New York City, 1995
- Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: augite" [Accessed December 11, 2001 (BW photo)(tech info)
- C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
- Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augite (Accessed Aug 30 2005)
- Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
- Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
- The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998