Mozartite

mozartite

pectolite

hausmannite

braunite

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Formula: CaMn³⁺(SiO₄)(OH)
Nesosilicate (insular SiO₄ groups), manganese-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 3.63 measured, 3.68 calculated
Hardness: 6
Streak: Red
Colour: Reddish brown to deep red
Luminescence: Not fluorescent under UV
Common impurities: Mg,Al
Environments

Metamorphic environments

Mozartite is named for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) and his opera "The Magic Flute". It was first noted in 1991, the 200th annivarsary of the composer's death (Webmin).
Mozartite is a rare mineral in some metamorphosed manganese deposits, found intergrown with pectolite in veins cutting massive braunite in ophiolitic metacherts. Associated minerals include pectolite, hausmannite, calcite and quartz (HOM).

Localities

At the type locality, the Cerchiara mine, Borghetto di Vara, La Spezia Province, Liguria, Italy, mozartite forms reddish brown aggregates of minute anhedral crystals intergrown with pectolite and minor amounts of calcite, quartz and hausmannite. Mozartite and the associated minerals fill large veins that cross-cut massive braunite interbedded within the ophiolitic metacherts at the mine. The size of the individual grains of mozartite ranges from O.l to 0.5 mm, and some subhedral single crystals, included in calcite or pectolite, develop with stocky prismatic habit (CM 31.331-336).

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