Formula: MgCO3
Origin of name: From Greek, magnesia lithos = magnesian stone
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal class: -3 2/m
Twinning:
Unit cell: a = 4.63 Å, c = 15.02 Å
Colour: Colourless, white, gray, yellowish to brown
Diaphaneity: Transparent to opaque
Luster: Vitreous, dull
Habit: Crystals rhombohedral, uncommon; rarely prismatic, tabular or scalenohedral; massive, compact, chalky, lamellar
Hardness: 3.75 to 4.
Specific gravity: 3.0 to 3.1
Cleavage: 1; {10-11} perfect
Tenacity:
Streak:
Synonyms/varieties: Baudisserite, Breunnerite (Fe-rich var.), Giobertite, Hoshiite (Ni-rich var.), Mesitite (Fe-rich var.)
Comments: Series with gaspeite and with siderite
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