Bixbyite
Bixbyite is a mineral that is rare is rarely faceted. It forms as well formed crystals which can be isometric usually highly modified cubes, that are opaque black. Bixbyite was found in 1897 by Maynard Bixby, a Salt Lake City, Utah mineral dealer who also discovered Bixbite (Red Beryl). Bixbyite is usually found in association with Bixbite and Topaz rendering it a mineral that is popular collectors.
Bixbyite is found in a locaitons that are few the USA; from the Thomas Range, Juab County, Utah; at a quantity of places within the Black Range, Sierra and Catron Counties, New Mexico; and near Saddle Mountain, Pinal County, Arizona. Additionally a number of sources worldwide Mexico that is including, Germany, Sweden, India, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
| Category: | Oxide minerals |
| Chemical Formula: | (Mn3+,Fe3+)2O3 |
| Manganese Iron Oxide | |
| Molecular Weight: | 158.33 gm |
| Composition: | Manganese | 52.05 % | Mn | 74.78 % | Mn2O3 |
| Iron | 17.64 % | Fe | 25.22 % | Fe2O3 | |
| Oxygen | 30.32 % | O | |||
| 100.00 % | 100.00 % | = TOTAL OXIDE |
| Crystallography: | Isometric – Diploidal |
| Crystal Habit: | Crystals are cubes, commonly striated, to 6 cm; massive. |
| Twinning: | As penetration twins. |
| Cleavage: | Imperfect/Fair on {111} in traces |
| Fracture: | Irregular/Uneven |
| Tenacity: | Brittle |
| Moh’s Hardness: | 6.0 – 6.5 |
| Density: | 4.945 – 5.0 (g/cm3) |
| Luminescence: | None |
| Color: | Black |
| Transparency: | Opaque |
| Luster: | Metallic |
| Refractive Index: | 2.51 – 2.56 Isotropic |
| Birefringence: | 0.00 (Isotropic) |
| Dispersion: | n/a |
| Pleochroism: | None |
