Bixbyite Mineral Data

Bixbyite Mineral Data +

General Bixbyite Information

Chemical Formula:

(Mn+++,Fe+++)2O3

Composition:

Molecular Weight = 158.33 gm

Manganese 52.05 % Mn 74.78 % Mn₂O₃

Iron 17.64 % Fe 25.22 % Fe₂O₃

Oxygen 30.32 % O

______ ______

100.00 % 100.00 % = TOTAL OXIDE

Empirical Formula:

Mn³⁺_1.5Fe³⁺_0.5O₃

Environment:

Pneumatolytic, hydrothermal, and metamorphic rocks.

IMA Status:

Valid Species (Pre-IMA) 1897

Locality:

Siapa and Chhindwara, India. Thomas Range, Utah. Link to MinDat.org Location Data.

Name Origin:

Named after the American mineralogist, M. Bixby.

Bixbyite Image

Images:

Bixbyite

Comments: Cubic crystals of bixbyite reaching 5 mm sit on a crude pseudomorph of hematite after garnet.
Location: Thomas Range, Juab Co., Utah, USA. Scale: 1.5 x 1.6 cm.
© Isaias Casanova / IC Minerals

Bixbyite Crystallography

Cell Dimensions:

a = 9.365, Z = 16; V = 821.34 Den(Calc)= 5.12

Crystal System:

Isometric - DiploidalH-M Symbol (2/m 3) Space Group: I a3

$Help on X Ray Diffraction:$ X Ray Diffraction:

By Intensity(I/I_o): 2.72(1), 1.657(0.9), 1.421(0.8),

Forms:

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Forms: [ 1 1 2] [ 1 0 0]

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Crystal Structure:

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Geller S , Acta Crystallographica, Section B , 27 (1971) p.821-828, Structures of alpha-Mn203, (MnO.983Fe0.017)203 and (Mn0.37Fe0.63)2O3, and relation to magnetic ordering, Sample: (MnO.983Fe0.017)203

View Additional jPOWD Structure files for Bixbyite
[1] [2]

Physical Properties of Bixbyite

Cleavage:

[111] Imperfect, [111] Imperfect, [111] Imperfect

Color:

Black.

Density:

4.95

Diaphaniety:

Opaque

Fracture:

Uneven - Flat surfaces (not cleavage) fractured in an uneven pattern.

Habit:

Crystalline - Fine - Occurs as well-formed fine sized crystals.

Habit:

Massive - Granular - Common texture observed in granite and other igneous rock.

Hardness:

6-6.5 - Orthoclase-Pyrite

Luminescence:

None.

Luster:

Metallic

Streak:

black

Optical Properties of Bixbyite

Optical Data:

NCalc= 2.56 - from Gladstone-Dale relationship (KC = 0.3045) where Ncalc=Dcalc*KC+1
NCalc= 2.51 - from Gladstone-Dale relationship (KC = 0.3045) where Ncalc=Dmeas*KC+1

Reflectivity

**Standardized Intensity (100%) Reflection Spectra of Bixbyite in Air**
λ	R	∑ R(λ)
400 nm	24.70
420 nm	24.10
440 nm	23.50
460 nm	23.00
480 nm	22.80
500 nm	22.90
520 nm	23.20
540 nm	23.60
560 nm	23.50
580 nm	23.20
600 nm	22.90
620 nm	22.70
640 nm	22.40
660 nm	22.20
680 nm	22.20
700 nm	22.10

**Calculated Relative Intensity Colors of Bixbyite in Air**
Relative Intensity	0%	40%	80%	100%	120%	160%	200%	240%	280%	320%	360%	390%
R

Calculated Properties of Bixbyite

Electron Density:

r_electron=4.82 gm/cc
note: r_Bixbyite=5.12 gm/cc.

Fermion Index

Fermion Index = 0.00388
Boson Index = 0.99612

Photoelectric:

PE_Bixbyite= 19.12 barns/electron
U=PE_Bixbyite x r_electron= 92.14 barns/cc.

Radioactivity:

GRapi = 0 (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units)

Bixbyite is Not Radioactive

Bixbyite Classification

Dana Class:

4.3.7.2 (4)Simple Oxides

(4.3)with a cation charge of 3+ (A+++2 O3)

(4.3.7)Dana Group

4.3.7.1 Maghemite gamma-Fe2O3 P 2₁3 2 3

4.3.7.2 Bixbyite (Mn,Fe)2O3 I a3 2/m 3

Strunz Class:

IV/C.03-10 IV - Oxides

IV/C - Oxides with metal : oxygen = 2:3 (M2O3 and related compounds)

IV/C.03 - Bixbyite - Avicennite series

IV/C.03-10 Bixbyite (Mn,Fe)2O3 I a3 2/m 3

IV/C.03-20 Avicennite Tl2O3 I a3 2/m 3

Other Bixbyite Information

References:

NAME( Duda&Rejl90) PHYS. PROP.(Enc. of Minerals,2nd ed.,1990) OPTIC PROP.(AntBidBlaNic3)

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Bixbyite

(Mn+++,Fe+++)2O3
Dana No: 4.3.7.2 Strunz No: IV/C.03-10
Locality:

Notes: