Aenigmatite

Mineral Description

Aenigmatite is an iron and titanium silicate with sodium as a charge balancing cation. Its structure is complex, in part sharing characteristics with the inosilicates. It has a chain structure, but the chains branch alternately to the left and right at intervals. Because it does not easily fit into the current classification system, it is classified as an Unclassified Silicate. It is not a common mineral, but it does provide an opportunity to examine additional types of silica polymerization and more intricate mineral structures.

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Crystallographic Data

Reference

Cannillo, E., F. Mazzi, J.H. Fang, P.D. Robinson, and Y. Ohya. 1971. The crystal structure of aenigmatite sample FRO. American Mineralogist 56:427-446.

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Original release: 1 Oct 1998;