Tschermakite is a mineral that belongs to the amphibole group. It was named after the Austrian mineralogist, Franz von Tschermak, and is commonly found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. The spelling of "tschermakite" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), which indicates that the "ch" sounds like the "k" sound in "kite" and that the "k" at the end of the word should be pronounced with emphasis. Thus, the correct pronunciation of tschermakite is [ˈtʃɛrməkaɪt].
Tschermakite is a mineral that belongs to the amphibole group, which is a complex group of hydrous silicate minerals. It is named after Gustav Tschermak von Seysenegg, an Austrian mineralogist and geologist. Tschermakite is closely related to other calcium-rich amphiboles, such as hornblende and tschermigite, and is primarily found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
The mineral has a monoclinic crystal system with prismatic or bladed crystal habit, which means it forms elongated or platy crystals. Its color ranges from light to dark brown, sometimes exhibiting a slight greenish tint. Tschermakite's luster is vitreous to pearly, and it displays perfect cleavage along two planes.
Chemically, tschermakite is a calcium iron-magnesium aluminum silicate mineral with the chemical formula Ca2(Mg,Fe)4Al(Si7Al)O22(OH)2. It typically contains variable amounts of other elements like titanium, manganese, and sodium. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is around 5-6, indicating moderate hardness.
Tschermakite is commonly found in various rock types, including gabbros, diorites, and schists. It is formed during the cooling and crystallization of magma, as well as through regional metamorphism of existing rocks. Its presence can provide valuable information about past geological conditions and processes.
Due to its physical and chemical properties, tschermakite has applications in petrology, geological research, and crystallography. Studying tschermakite and its properties contributes to our understanding of the Earth's history and the formation of rocks in different
The word "tschermakite" originates from the German mineralogist and petrologist, Dr. Gustav Tschermak von Seysenegg. Gustav Tschermak (1836-1927) was an Austrian scientist known for his contributions to mineralogy and geology. He specialized in the study of minerals and rocks, and his research influenced the field of petrography.
In 1867, Tschermak described a new mineral species that was later named "tschermakite" in his honor. Tschermakite is a brownish-black amphibole mineral belonging to the group of inosilicates. Amphiboles are a group of minerals that share similar crystal structures, and this particular mineral was given the name "tschermakite" as a way to pay tribute to Tschermak's significant contributions to the field.