Massachusetts State Mineral

Babingtonite

(Ca2(Fe++,Mn)Fe+++Si5O14(OH))

Adopted in April of 1971.

The finest quality Babingtonite in America has come from this state. Although the Commonwealth is not overly blessed with mineral resources, it is one of the few locations in the world where this usually jet black material with a brilliant submetallic luster is found. The Legislature adopted it in April of 1971.

A mineral occurring in triclinic crystals approaching pyroxene in angle, and of a greenish black color. It is a silicate of iron, manganese, and lime.

General Silicates Information

Chemical Formula Ca2(Fe++,Mn)Fe+++Si5O14(OH)

Composition Molecular Weight = 573.05 gm

Calcium        13.99 %   Ca    19.57 %   CaO

Manganese    2.40 %   Mn     3.09 %   MnO

Iron              17.05 %   Fe   21.94 %   FeO

Silicon           24.51 %   Si    52.43 %   SiO2

Hydrogen       0.18 %    H     1.57 %   H2O

Oxygen        41.88 % O

                     ______              ______

                   100.00 %           98.60 % = TOTAL OXIDE

Empirical Formula Ca₂Fe²⁺_0.75Mn²⁺_0.25Fe²⁺Si₅O₁₄(OH)

Environment Found with the typically white or pale colored zeolites

IMA Status Valid Species (Pre-IMA) 1824

Locality Poona, India; Devon, England; Baveno, Italy and several locations in Massachusetts

Name Origin Named after the Irish physicist and mineralogist, W. Babington (1757-1833).

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