johannsenite

johannsenite, silicate mineral in the pyroxene family. It has a molecular formula of Ca(Mn,Fe)Si2O6. A calcium-manganese-iron silicate mineral, johannsenite is produced either by metamorphic processes in altered limestones or is associated with pyrite or other minerals in copper, lead, and zinc ores. It is moderately hard, has a glassy lustre, and forms brown, gray, or green crystals or fibres. Common deposits are found in Arizona, New Mexico, and Oregon, U.S.; Italy; Japan; and New South Wales, Australia. For detailed physical properties, see pyroxene (table).

Pyroxenes
name colour lustre Mohs hardness specific gravity
aegirine green to greenish black vitreous 6 3.4–3.6
augite brown; green; black vitreous 5½–6 3.2–3.5
diopside white, pale to dark green (diopside); brownish green, dark green, black (hedenbergite) vitreous 5½–6Β½ 3.2–3.6
jadeite green; apple-green; emerald-green; variable vitreous 6 3.2–3.4
johannsenite clove-brown, grayish, green vitreous 6 3.4–3.6
orthopyroxene usually green; colourless, gray, yellow, brown pearly to vitreous 5–6 3.2–4.0
pigeonite brown, greenish brown, black vitreous 6 3.3–3.5
spodumene commonly grayish white; also green, lilac, yellowish, colourless vitreous 6½–7 3.0–3.2
name habit fracture or cleavage refractive indices crystal system
aegirine crystals one good cleavage of 87Β° alpha = 1.700–1.776 monoclinic
beta = 1.710–1.820
gamma = 1.730–1.836
augite short, thick, tabular crystals one good cleavage of 87Β° alpha = 1.671–1.735 monoclinic
beta = 1.672–1.741
gamma = 1.703–1.761
diopside slender prismatic crystals; granular or lamellar masses one good cleavage of 87Β° alpha = 1.664–1.732 monoclinic
beta = 1.672–1.730
gamma = 1.694–1.757
jadeite cryptocrystalline aggregates and nodules one good cleavage of 87Β° alpha = 1.640–1.658 monoclinic
beta = 1.645–1.663
gamma = 1.652–1.673
johannsenite prismatic crystals and fibres in radiating, columnar, or spherical aggregates one good cleavage of 87Β° alpha = 1.703–1.716 monoclinic
beta = 1.711–1.728
gamma = 1.732–1.745
orthopyroxene fibrous or lamellar masses one good cleavage of 88Β° alpha = 1.650–1.768 orthorhombic
beta = 1.653–1.770
gamma = 1.658–1.788
pigeonite one good cleavage of 87Β° alpha = 1.682–1.722 monoclinic
beta = 1.684–1.722
gamma = 1.705–1.751
spodumene flattened prismatic crystals (sometimes as large as 6 ft Γ— 42 ft); cleavable masses one good cleavage of 87Β° alpha = 1.648–1.663 monoclinic
beta = 1.655–1.669
gamma = 1.662–1.679
Citation Information
Article Title: johannsenite
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 22 July 2010
Access Date: November 14, 2026