Tephroite is the manganese endmember of the olivine group of nesosilicate minerals with the formula Mn2SiO4. A solid solution series exists between tephroite and its analogues, the group endmembers fayalite and forsterite. Divalent iron or magnesium may readily replace manganese in the olivine crystal structure. It was first described for an occurrence at the Sterling Hill Mine and Franklin, New Jersey, United States. It occurs in iron-manganese ore deposits and their related skarns. It also occurs in metamorphosed manganese-rich sediments. It occurs in association with: zincite, willemite, franklinite, rhodonite, jacobsite, diopside, gageite, bustamite, manganocalcite, glaucochroite, calcite, banalsite and alleghanyite. It can also be found in England and Sweden. Tephroite has a hardness of 6 and a specific gravity of approximately 4.1, which is heavy for non-metallic minerals. Its name comes from the Greek tephros, "ash gray", for its color. It can also be found olive-green, greenish-blue, pink, or brown. Other names for tephroite include mangan olivine and mangan peridot.
Hardness:
6
Density:
4.15 g/cm³
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Properties
Characteristics
Common Questions
General Info About Tephroite
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Physical Properties of Tephroite
Colors
Grey, olive-green, flesh red, reddish-brown, dark brown
Streak
Pale gray
Hardness
6 , Hard
Density
4.15 g/cm³, Obviously Heavy Weight
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Chemical Properties of Tephroite
Formula
Mn2+2SiO4
Elements listed
Mn, O, Si
Common Impurities
Fe,Zn,Ca,Mg
Characteristics of Tephroite
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