Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

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                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2007-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
augite

Chemical Group:    silicate-pyroxene

Chemical Formula:    CaMgSi₂O₆ with (Mg,Fe)(Al,Fe)₂SiO₆

Color: dark green to black               

Luster:  vitreous        Transparency:  translucent only on thin edges

Hardness:  5 to 6                Specific Gravity:   3.2 to 3.4                  Fracture:

Cleavage:  good prismatic cleavage (110)

Crystal Forms: Monoclinic system
     Crystals are usually prismatic.  In cross section crystals are nearly square.

Mineral Associations: Augite is found commonly in dark-colored igneous rocks.
     Augite is associated with plagioclase feldspars, nepheline, olivine, leucite, hornblende, magnetite.

Identifying Characteristics:  darker color than diopside

Uses:

Occurrences:  Vesuvius in Italy, Bohemia

Toxicity:      when-swallowed- low           when inhaled- moderate

Additional Information: