Luogufengite

luogufengite

hydroniumjarosite

maghemite

hematite

Images

Formula: Fe₂O₃
Valence: Fe³⁺₂O^2-₃
Simple oxide of ferric iron Fe³⁺, orthorhombic paramorph of trigonal hematite
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 4.905 calculated
Magnetism: Large magnetic coercivity (the ability to withstand an external magnetic field)
Environments

Volcanic igneous environments

Luogufengite is a relatively new mineral, approved in 2016 and to date (March 2026) reported only from the type locality.

Localities

At the type locality, the Menan volcanic complex, Rexburg area, Madison County, Idaho, USA, Al-bearing luogufengite was discovered in vesicles in basaltic scoria. It is an oxidation product of Fe-bearing basaltic glass at high temperature and is associated with maghemite and hematite. Luogufengite is an euhedral or semi-euhedral nano-mineral with its crystal size ranging from ~20 to ~120 nm.
Luogufengite is an important mineral that records paleomagnetism of volcanic rocks because of its large magnetic coercivity. This unique magnetic property may explain the observed unusually high-remanent magnetisation in some igneous and metamorphic rocks and even some Martian rocks (AM 102.4.711-719).
Other associated minerals include quartz and hydroniumjarosite (HOM).

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