AllMineralsRock
Cordierite
Cordierite is a popular mineral composed of magnesium aluminum silicate. [1]
Cordierite: Quick Facts and Characteristics
Some quick facts for Cordierite:- Transparency: Cordierite can be opaque, translucent or transparent.
- Crystallography: In terms of crystallography, cordierite can be hexagonal or orthorhombic.
- Luster: In terms of luster, cordierite is vitreous (glassy).
- Streak: Cordierite streaks colorless.
- Hardness: Cordierite's hardness ranges from 7 to 7.5 on the Moh's scale.
- Specific Gravity: Cordierite's specific gravity ranges from 2.53 to 2.57.
Cordierite: Background and Summary
Cordierite is a mineral that belongs to the orthorhombic crystal system and has a chemical formula of (Mg,Fe)_2Al_4Si_5O_18. It is commonly found in metamorphic rocks and is often associated with minerals such as garnet, kyanite, and sillimanite. Cordierite has a distinctive blue-grey color and a vitreous to dull luster. It has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale and a specific gravity of 2.6-2.7.To identify cordierite, one should look for its characteristic blue-grey color and its orthorhombic crystal structure. It can also be identified by its hardness and specific gravity. In addition, cordierite has a strong pleochroism, which means that it appears to have different colors when viewed from different angles.
Cordierite has a variety of uses in industry and manufacturing. It is commonly used as a refractory material in high-temperature applications such as furnace linings and kiln furniture. It is also used as a ceramic material in the production of spark plugs, insulators, and other electrical components. In addition, cordierite is sometimes used as a gemstone, although it is not as well known as other minerals such as quartz or diamond.
Cordierite: Table of Properties
| Attribute | Cordierite (src) |
|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | Mg2Al4Si5O18 |
| Chemical Composition | magnesium aluminum silicate |
| Specific Gravity | 2.53, 2.57, 2.61, 2.78 |
| Hardness | 7, 7.5 |
| Streak | colorless |
| Crystallography | orthorhombic, hexagonal |
| Refractive Index | 1.522, 1.578 |
| Hydrous | No |
| Colors | common: blue, red, brown sometimes: violet, yellow less common: gray, pale, smoky, colorless, green |
| Category | cyclosilicate |
| Fracture | 1: 1 |
Cordierite: FAQ
Q: Is cordierite a rare mineral?A: Cordierite is not considered to be a rare mineral, although it is not as common as some other minerals.
Q: Can cordierite be used in jewelry?
A: Yes, cordierite can be used as a gemstone, although it is not as well known as other minerals such as quartz or diamond.
Q: Is cordierite a durable material?
A: Cordierite is a relatively durable material, with a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale.
Sources
- Mindat.org. Cordierite. Retrieved from https://www.mindat.org/min-1147.html- Geology.com. Cordierite: A rock-forming mineral with industrial and gemstone uses. Retrieved from https://geology.com/minerals/cordierite.shtml
- Cordierite: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordierite
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