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Formula: Mn2+TiO3
Oxide, ilmenite group, forms a series with
ilmenite, manganese-bearing
mineral
Crystal System: Trigonal
Specific gravity: 4.537 measured, 4.596 calculated
Hardness: 5 to 6
Streak: Ochre yellow with greenish tinge
Colour: Blood red, greenish yellow, brownish, blackish; orange in transmitted light
Common impurities: Fe,Zn
Environments:
Metamorphic environments most common
Hydrothermal environments
Extraterrestrial environments very rare
Pyrophanite occurs principally in metamorphosed manganese deposits, less commonly as an accessory mineral in
granite, amphibolite or
serpentinite, and very rarely as a component in chondritic meteorites.
Associated minerals include ilmenite,
geikielite, hematite,
spinel, gahnite,
chromite, magnetite,
ganophyllite, biotite variety manganophyllite,
hendricksite, garnet and
calcite
(HOM).
Localities
The type locality is the Harstigen mine, Pajsberg, Persberg ore district, Filipstad, Värmland County, Sweden.
At the Sterling Hill mine pyrophanite has been found associated with
ganophyllite, garnet and
biotite variety manganophyllite, in cavities later filled with
calcite
(Dana).
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