Richterite
A variety of Minerals
What is Richterite?
Richterite is a sodium calcium magnesium silicate mineral belonging to the amphibole group. If iron replaces the magnesium within the structure of the mineral, it is called ferrorichterite; if fluorine replaces the hydroxyl, it is called fluororichterite. Richterite crystals are long and prismatic, or prismatic to fibrous aggregate, or rock-bound crystals. Colors of richterite range from brown, grayish-brown, yellow, brownish- to rose-red, or pale to dark green. Richterite occurs in thermally metamorphosed limestones in contact metamorphic zones. It also occurs as a hydrothermal product in mafic igneous rocks, and in manganese-rich ore deposits. Localities include Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, and Wilberforce and Tory Hill, Ontario, Canada; Långban and Pajsberg, Sweden; West Kimberley, Western Australia; Sanka, Myanmar; and, in the US, at Iron Hill, Colorado; Leucite Hills, Wyoming; and Libby, Montana. The mineral was named in 1865 for the German mineralogist Hieronymous Theodor Richter (1824–1898).
Uses & Applications
Richterite is primarily of interest to mineral collectors and researchers studying amphibole minerals. It has no significant commercial applications but serves as an important mineral for understanding metamorphic processes.
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.612-1.644
- Pleochroism
- Moderate
- Optical Character
- Biaxial negative
- Dispersion
- 0.016
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The Meaning
Named in honor of Hieronymus Theodor Richter, a professor of chemistry at Freiberg University and co-discoverer of indium. The mineral represents the systematic study of complex silicate chemistry.
Geochemistry
Forms in high-temperature metamorphic environments and alkaline igneous rocks. As a sodium-calcium amphibole, it represents specific chemical conditions during rock formation and can vary significantly in color from brown to green to blue.
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Brown to brownish-red, rose-red, or yellow, grey-brown, and also pale to dark green. dark green blue and grey blue
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 5 - 6
- Density
- 3.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- {Na}{NaCa}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2 The richterite group minerals are defined as sodium-calcium amphiboles with 0.5 apfu < A(Na+K+ 2Ca) where Na or K is dominant, and with C(Al+Fe3++2Ti)<0.5 apfu. The W position may contain (OH), F or Cl. Richterite is defined with A position: Na dominant C position: Mg dominant W position: (OH) dominant.
- Elements
- Ca, H, Mg, Na, O, Si
Also Known As
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