Mineralpedia Details for Aenigmatite
Aenigmatite
Named for the Greek word ainigma, meaning “a riddle” and also the root of the common word enigma, in reference to the mineral’s, at the time, unknown or uncertain chemical composition. Aenigmatite is an uncommon mineral that is often a primary constituent of sodium-bearing alkalic volcanic rocks, pegmatites, and other igneous rocks that are silica-poor. Localities for Aenigmatite include in Greenland, Russia, Norway, Italy, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, among many others.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/aenigmatite.pdf
- Formula
- Na4(Fe2+10Ti2)O4[Si12O36]
- Crystal System
- Triclinic
- Crystal Habit
- Lamellar
- Cleavage
- Perfect, None, None
- Luster
- Subadamantine
- Color
- brown, black
- Streak
- reddish brown
- Class
- Triclinic - Pinacoidal
- Hardness
- 5-6
- WebMineral
- View Aenigmatite
- Mindat
- View Aenigmatite
Aenigmatite from Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
A long, 3cm, slender, bladed black and striated crystal os Aenigmatite suspended in matrix with several others.
Click thumbnail images for larger view.
