Piemontite

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Piemontite
File:Piémontite.jpg
Piémontite from the type locality: Prabornaz Mine, Italy
General
CategorySorosilicates
Epidote
Formula
(repeating unit)
Ca2(Al,Mn3+,Fe3+)3(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
IMA symbolPmt[1]
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP21/m
Identification
ColorReddish-brown, reddish-black
Crystal habitSlender prismatic, blocky to massive
TwinningOn [100] uncommon
Cleavage[001] good, [100] distinct
FractureUneven to splintery
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness6 – 6.5
LusterVitreous
StreakRed
DiaphaneityTranslucent to nearly opaque
Density3.46 – 3.54
Optical propertiesBiaxial (+) 2V = 64–106
Refractive indexnα = 1.725 – 1.756 nβ = 1.730 – 1.789 nγ = 1.750 – 1.832
Birefringenceδ = 0.025 – 0.076
PleochroismVisible
Dispersionr>v very strong
References[2][3][4]

Piemontite is a sorosilicate mineral in the monoclinic crystal system with the chemical formula Ca2(Al,Mn3+,Fe3+)3(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH).[2] It is a member of the epidote group.[4] Red to reddish-brown or red-black in color, piemontite has a red streak and a vitreous lustre.[4] Manganese (Mn3+) causes the red color.[5] The type locality is the Prabornaz Mine, in Saint-Marcel, Aosta Valley, Italy.[4] It occurs metamorphic rocks of the greenschist to amphibolite metamorphic facies and in low-temperature hydrothermal veins in altered volcanic rocks. It also occurs in metasomatized deposits of manganese ore. Associated minerals include: epidote, tremolite, glaucophane, orthoclase, quartz and calcite.[2]

File:Piemontite-Quartz-Calcite-188379.jpg
Piemontite on quartz, from No. 5 shaft, Messina mine, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Red piemontite microcrystals cover three sides of a doubly terminated quartz crystal. Size: 7.1 × 3.0 × 2.6 cm.

References

  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. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. Webmineral.com website
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Mindat reference page for Piemontite
  5. "Minerals Colored by Metal Ions". minerals.gps.caltech.edu. Retrieved 2023-03-01.