Spinel Mineral Data

Spinel Mineral Data +

General Spinel Information

Chemical Formula:

MgAl2O4

Composition:

Molecular Weight = 142.27 gm

Magnesium 17.08 % Mg 28.33 % MgO

Aluminum 37.93 % Al 71.67 % Al₂O₃

Oxygen 44.98 % O

______ ______

100.00 % 100.00 % = TOTAL OXIDE

Empirical Formula:

MgAl₂O₄

Environment:

Metamorphic mineral found in limestone and dolomite marbles and very-low silica and alkali igneous rocks (e.g. peridotites).

IMA Status:

Valid Species (Pre-IMA) 1546

Locality:

Gem gravels of Sri Lanka and other notable locations. Link to MinDat.org Location Data.

Name Origin:

Of uncertain origin, possibly derived from Latin, spina, for "thorn" in allusion to sharply-pointed crystals.

Synonym:

Balas ruby - Red

ICSD 79000

PDF 21-1152

Rubicelle

Ruby spinal

Spinel Image

Images:

Spinel

Comments: Spinel on white marble.
Location: Mogok, Myanmar. Scale: 2.2 x 1.5 cm.
© Fabre Minerals

Spinel Crystallography

Cell Dimensions:

a = 8.08, Z = 8; V = 527.51 Den(Calc)= 3.58

Crystal System:

Isometric - HexoctahedralH-M Symbol (4/m 3 2/m) Space Group: F d3m

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

By Intensity(I/I_o): 2.436(1), 2.021(0.7), 1.429(0.6),

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Crystal Structure:

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Peterson R C , Lager G A , Hitterman R L , American Mineralogist , 76 (1991) p.1455-1458, A time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction study of MgAl2O4 at temperatures, up to 1273 K, sample W, T = 293 K

View Additional jPOWD Structure files for Spinel
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Physical Properties of Spinel

Cleavage:

None

Color:

Colorless, Red, Blue, Green, Brown.

Density:

3.57 - 3.72, Average = 3.64

Diaphaniety:

Transparent to translucent to opaque

Fracture:

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

Habit:

Euhedral Crystals - Occurs as well-formed crystals showing good external form.

Habit:

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

Hardness:

8 - Topaz

Luminescence:

Sometimes Fluorescent.

Luster:

Vitreous (Glassy)

Magnetism:

Nonmagnetic

Streak:

grayish white

Optical Properties of Spinel

Gladstone-Dale:

CI meas= -0.017 (Superior) - where the CI = (1-KPDmeas/KC)
CI calc= -0.035 (Excellent) - where the CI = (1-KPDcalc/KC)
KPDcalc= 0.2123,KPDmeas= 0.2085,KC= 0.205

Optical Data:

Isotropic, n=1.72-1.8.

Calculated Properties of Spinel

Electron Density:

r_electron=3.59 gm/cc
note: r_Spinel=3.65 gm/cc.

Fermion Index

Fermion Index = 0.0173
Boson Index = 0.9827

Photoelectric:

PE_Spinel= 1.48 barns/electron
U=PE_Spinel x r_electron= 5.32 barns/cc.

Radioactivity:

GRapi = 0 (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units)

Spinel is Not Radioactive

Spinel Classification

Dana Class:

7.2.1.1 (7)Multiple Oxides

(7.2)(A+ B++)2 X4 Spinel group

(7.2.1)(Aluminum subgroup)

7.2.1.1 Spinel MgAl2O4 F d3m 4/m 3 2/m

7.2.1.2 Galaxite (Mn,Mg)(Al,Fe)2O4 F d3m 4/m 3 2/m

7.2.1.3 Hercynite FeAl2O4 F d3m 4/m 3 2/m

7.2.1.4 Gahnite ZnAl2O4 F d3m 4/m 3 2/m

Strunz Class:

IV/B.01-10 IV - Oxides

IV/B - Oxides with metal : oxygen = 3:4 (spinel type M3O4 and related), Aluminat-Spinels

IV/B.01 - Spinel group, Spinel - Gahnite series

IV/B.01-10 Spinel MgAl2O4 F d3m 4/m 3 2/m

IV/B.01-20 Hercynite FeAl2O4 F d3m 4/m 3 2/m

IV/B.01-30 Galaxite (Mn,Mg)(Al,Fe)2O4 F d3m 4/m 3 2/m

IV/B.01-40 Gahnite ZnAl2O4 F d3m 4/m 3 2/m

Other Spinel Information

References:

NAME( Sinkankas66) PHYS. PROP.(Enc. of Minerals,2nd ed.,1990) OPTIC PROP.(Enc. of Minerals,2nd ed.,1990)

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Spinel

MgAl2O4
Dana No: 7.2.1.1 Strunz No: IV/B.01-10
Locality:

Notes: