Aegirine

Mineral NaFeSi2O6

Also called Acmite

About it

Long, sharp black to green prisms with pointed tips in nepheline syenite and pegmatite; Mount Malosa, Malawi, gives large crystals with feldspar, as does Mont Saint-Hilaire.

Type
Mineral
Group
Silicate (inosilicate), pyroxene group
Formula
NaFeSi2O6
Hardness (Mohs)
6
Specific gravity
3.5–3.6
Streak
pale yellowish grey
Lustre
vitreous (glassy), resinous
Crystal system
Monoclinic
Colours
black, dark green, greenish brown
Transparency
transparent, translucent, opaque
Cleavage and fracture
good in two directions at nearly 90°

Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.