Pyroxferroite
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Mineral NamePyroxferroite
Chemical FormulaFe7Si7O21
Mohs Hardness5.5
Crystal Systemtriclinic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorpale brown
CleavageGood on {110} and {1-10}
Fractureuneven
Specific Gravity3.75
Colorsbrown, reddish-brown, yellowish-brown
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityTranquility Base, Moon (type locality); also found in some terrestrial igneous rocks and meteorites
Mineral GroupSilicates (Inosilicates, Pyroxenoid Group)
Usesscientific research, collector's item
Associated Mineralspyroxene, plagioclase, ilmenite, olivine, tridymite
Rarityrare
Description
This image illustrates the atomic structure of pyroxferroite, featuring chains of silicon-oxygen tetrahedra (gray and red) interconnected by iron atoms (blue) in a complex, repeating pattern.
Geological Context
Pyroxferroite is a rare silicate mineral typically found in lunar rocks and some terrestrial igneous rocks that formed under high-temperature, low-pressure, and reducing conditions. It is also present in certain meteorites.
