Magnesite
| Colour | White, Clear, Yellow, Brown |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 3.5–4.5 |
| Lustre | Vitreous |
| Streak | white |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Cleavage | [101] perfect |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Chemical formula | MgCO 3 |
| Specific gravity | 3.0–3.2 |
What is Magnesite?
Magnesite is a mineral with the chemical formula MgCO3. Iron, manganese, cobalt, and nickel may occur as admixtures, but only in small amounts. Magnesite occurs naturally in both cryptocrystalline and crystalline forms depending on the conditions of formation.
How to identify Magnesite
- Lustre: Vitreous.
- Hardness: Mohs 3.5–4.5 — soft; a knife will scratch it.
- Streak: white.
- Habit: Trigonal crystal system.
Magnesite in different forms
Stones often confused with Magnesite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Magnesite?
Magnesite is Mohs 3.5–4.5 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Magnesite?
Magnesite is typically white, clear, yellow, brown (Colorless, white, pale yellow, pale brown, faintly pink, lilac-rose).