Magnesite is a secondary mineral that forms by the alteration of magnesium rich rocks that come into contact with carbonic acid (water with dissolved CO2). Magnesite can be mistaken for the much more common carbonate mineral, calcite, but has a higher hardness. The name magnesite comes from the magnesium in its chemical formula.
| MgCO3 |
|
| Carbonate |
|
| Hexagonal |
|
| -3 2/m |
|
| 3.5-5 |
|
| 3-3.2 |
|
| {10-11} perfect |
|
| Conchoidal |
|
| White, gray, yellow, brown |
|
| White |
|
| Vitreous |
|
| Transparent/translucent |
|
| Notable Localities: |
China; Ural Mountains, Russia; Austria |
| Uses: |
Manufacture of bricks, ore of magnesia |
Specimens:
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