Musgravite
Real mineral · legendary · Be(Mg,Fe,Zn)₂Al₆O₁₂
First described in 1967 from the Musgrave Ranges of South Australia. For decades only eight specimens were known worldwide. Chemically related to taaffeite but with a different stacking sequence. Among the most expensive minerals per carat ever sold.
Identity
- Formula
- Be(Mg,Fe,Zn)₂Al₆O₁₂
- Chemical class
- oxide
- Also known as
- Magnesiotaaffeite-6N'3S
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- trigonal
- Habits
- massive, tabular
- Fracture
- conchoidal
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 8.5
- Density
- 3.68 g/cm³
- Luster
- vitreous
- Colors
- gray-green, olive green, purple, colorless
- Streak
- white
- Transparency
- transparent
Geology
- Origins
- metamorphic
- Host rocks
- granulite, gneiss
- Associated minerals
- Sapphire, Spinel, Kornerupine
- Geography
- Australia (Musgrave Ranges), Greenland, Madagascar, Tanzania, Antarctica
Classification
- Rarity
- legendary
- Gem quality
- Yes
Arcane properties
- Affinity
- earth, arcane
- Effects
- warding, elemental earth
- Planar origin
- Material Plane
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