Naquite Explained

Naquite
Formula:FeSi
Imasymbol:Naq[1]
Strunz:1.BB.15
System:Cubic
Class:Isometric – tetartoidal
H-M symbol (23)
Space group P213
Unit Cell:a = 4.48 Å, Z = 4
Color:Steel grey, tin white
Cleavage:None
Fracture:Brittle – conchoidal
Mohs:6.5
Luster:Metallic
Streak:grayish black
Gravity:6.1–6.2 (calc.)
Diaphaneity:Opaque
References:[2] [3]

Naquite is a mineral of iron monosilicide, FeSi. It was discovered in the 1960s in Donetsk Oblast in Soviet Union, and named fersilicite, but was not approved by the International Mineralogical Association. It was later rediscovered in the Nagqu area of Tibet and given the name naquite. Naquite occurs together with other rare iron silicide minerals, xifengite (Fe5Si3) and linzhiite (FeSi2).[3]

Notes and References

  1. Warr. L.N.. 2021. IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine. 85. 3 . 291–320. 10.1180/mgm.2021.43 . 2021MinM...85..291W . 235729616 . free.
  2. https://www.mindat.org/min-40148.html Naquite
  3. http://www.webmineral.com/data/Fersilicite.shtml Fersilicite