Kaersutite

Kaersutite is a dark brown to black double chain calcic titanium bearing amphibole mineral with formula: NaCa₂(Mg₃Ti⁴⁺Al)(Si₆Al₂)O₂₂(OH)₂.

Kaersutite
General
Category	Inosilicate
Formula (repeating unit)	NaCa2(Mg3Ti4+Al)(Si6Al2)O22(OH)2
Strunz classification	9.DE.10
Dana classification	66.01.03a.18
Crystal system	Monoclinic
Crystal class	Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol)
Space group	C2/m
Identification
Color	Dark brown to black - yellow-brown, green-brown, or red-brown in thin section
Crystal habit	Prismatic phenocrysts, granular aggregates
Twinning	Simple or multiple twinning parallel to {100}
Cleavage	Perfect on {110}, intersecting at 56° and 124°
Tenacity	Brittle
Mohs scale hardness	5 - 6
Luster	Vitreous
Streak	Pale brownish-grey
Diaphaneity	Semitransparent
Specific gravity	3.20 - 3.28
Optical properties	Biaxial (-)
Refractive index	nα = 1.670 - 1.689 nβ = 1.690 - 1.741 nγ = 1.700 - 1.772
Birefringence	δ = 0.030 - 0.083
Pleochroism	Strong; X = yellow, yellow-brown; Y = red, red-brown; Z = deep brown, dark red-brown.
2V angle	66 - 82°
References	[1][2][3][4]

Ferro-kaersutite is the divalent iron rich endmember of the kaersutite group, with the iron replacing magnesium in the structure.[5]

It occurs as phenocrysts in alkalic volcanic rocks; in nodules of peridotite and gabbro in alkalic basalts; in syenites, monzonites and carbonatite tuffs. Mineral association includes titanian augite, rhoenite, olivine, ilmenite, spinel, plagioclase and titanian pargasite.[1]

It was first described in 1884 and is named for Qaersut (formerly Kaersut), Umanq district in northern Greenland.[2]