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Formula: Mn2+3Si2O5(OH)4
Phyllosilicate (sheet silicate),
serpentine subgroup,
manganese-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 2.83 to 2.94 measured, 2.788 calculated
Hardness: 3 to 3½
Streak: Light brown
Colour: Brown, reddish-brown, tan
Solubility: Readily soluble in concentrated acids
Common impurities: Al,As,Fe,Zn,Ca,F,Cl
Environments
Sedimentary environments
Metamorphic environments
Hydrothermal environments
Caryopilite forms as an alteration product of primary
manganese silicates
such as rhodonite
(Webmin, Dana, HOM). It also occurs in metamorphosed manganese deposits and as
granules in sediments
(Dana).
Localities
At Långban, Sweden, caryopilite is asociated with gonyerite
(HOM, AM 65.335-339).
Caryopilite from Långban - Image
At the type locality, the Harstigen Mine, Pajsberg, Persberg ore district, Filipstad, Värmland County, Sweden,
caryopilite is
associated with sarkinite, calcite,
rhodonite, lead and
brandtite
(Mindat, HOM). It occurs with calcite as a replacement of
rhodonite crystals
(AM 65.335-339).
Caryopilite from the Harstigen Mine -
Image
At Bald Knob, North Carolina, USA, caryopilite is associated with manganese-bearing
calcite,
rhodonite and
jacobsite (HOM). The Bald Knob material occurs in a thin, discontinuous
consisting of manganese-bearing calcite,
rhodonite, jacobsite and
caryopilite,
cutting across gneiss
(AM 65.335-339).
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