Melanophlogite - Encyclopedia

    Class : Silicates
    Subclass : Tectosilicates
    Crystal system : Tetragonal
    Chemistry : SiO₂ n(C, H, O, S)
    Rarity : Very rare

Melanophlogite is a particular silicate in which the voids available between the SiO₄ tetrahedra are occupied by organic compounds and sometimes sulfur, essential for the stability of the crystalline structure. Its name comes from the Greek melanos (black) and phlogai (to burn) because some samples of this mineral drown when burned. Crystals are rare (usually millimeter-size pseudocubes). Melanophlogite generally occurs in rounded polycrystalline aggregates with complex shapes, evoking drops, and building fine encrustations. Organic compounds are present in varying amounts (7 to 12%). Melanophlogite is colorless when pure, but often pale yellow to dark red-brown, due to the presence of impurities. It is a rare mineral, little known to collectors, which has no particular use.

The best melanophlogite crystals come from France and more particularly from the Limagne Basin in Puy-de-Dôme. They can form individual centimeter-sized pseudocubes and stacked groups of several centimeters. It is systematically found associated with lussatite, chalcedony and bitumen on the Mine des Rois deposit in Dallet.

No twin known for this mineral species.

No fake recorded for this mineral species.