Pyroxmangite

Very rare manganese silicate mineral. Pyroxmangite is the high-pressure and low-temperature polymorph of rhodonite and vittinkiite

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Origin of name: pyroxmangite is a blend of the names pyroxene and manganese, created in 1913 by American mineralogists William E. Ford and W. M. Bradley in allusion to its structure and composition. Despite the name pyroxmangite is not a member of the pyroxene group.

Synonyms and trade names: sobralite

Can be confused with: rhodonite, which may occur together with pyroxmangite, rhodochrosite and a number of other minerals of similar colour like e.g. garnet, tourmaline, ruby, spinell etc.

Localities: less than 200 deposits worldwide. Most important localities are Japan, Europe (mostly Italy, Austria, Romania), USA and Brazil.

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Front- and side view of a Brazilian pyroxmangite

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Pyroxmanite from Colorado, USA

Handling: pyroxmangite is reasonably hard but it is also perfectly cleavable and sensitiv to acids

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Gemmological Properties of Pyroxmangite

Formula:
Mn2+SiO3
Crystal system:
triclinic
Mohs hardness:
5.5-6
Specific gravity:
3.61-3.80
Refractive index:
birefringent 1.728-1.758
Max. Birefringence:
0.018
Dispersion:
moderate
Pleochroism:
no data
Lustre:
vitreous, pearly
Cleavage:
perfect
Fracture:
no data
Colour:
red, pink, brown