acmite
Quick Summary
Acmite, also known as aegirine, is a mineral composed of sodium and iron silicate with the chemical formula NaFeSi₂O₆. It belongs to the pyroxene group of silicate minerals, which are characterized by one-dimensional chains of linked SiO₄ tetrahedrons. Acmite typically forms long, prismatic crystals that are brown or green in color and have a hardness of 6 to 6.5. It is commonly found in alkaline igneous rocks, such as syenites. Acmite forms a continuous chemical series with aegirine-augite, where calcium can substitute for sodium, and magnesium and aluminum can replace iron.1234
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
