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Eskolaite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Eskolaite
Formula:
Cr2O3
Colour:
Black to dark green.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
8 - 8½
Specific Gravity:
5.18
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named by Olavi Kouvo and Yrjö Vuorelained in 1958 in honor of Pentti Eelis Eskola (8 January 1883, Honkilahti, Finland – 6 December 1964, Helsinki, Finland), geologist at the University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. He did pioneering work on metamorphic rocks and won several international awards including the 1958 Wollaston medal.
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1411
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1411:9
IMA Classification of Eskolaite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cr3+2O3
First published:
1958
Classification of Eskolaite
4.CB.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
C : Metal: Oxygen = 2: 3,3: 5, and similar
B : With medium-sized cations
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
C : Metal: Oxygen = 2: 3,3: 5, and similar
B : With medium-sized cations
4.3.1.3
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
3 : A2X3
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
3 : A2X3
7.14.1
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
14 : Oxides of Cr
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
14 : Oxides of Cr
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Esk | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Esk | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
Physical Properties of Eskolaite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Black to dark green.
Streak:
Pale Green
Hardness:
8 - 8½ on Mohs scale
Density:
5.18 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.20 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Eskolaite
Anisotropism:
Strong
Colour in reflected light:
Gray
Internal Reflections:
Emerald green
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
In fragment / grain edges emerald green to olive green.
In polished sections, not pleochroic.
In polished sections, not pleochroic.
Chemistry of Eskolaite
Mindat Formula:
Cr2O3
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
V
Crystallography of Eskolaite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3c
Setting:
R3c
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.95 Å, c = 13.58 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.743
Unit Cell V:
288.16 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Morphology:
Hexagonal prisms and plates. {1120}, {0001}, {1123}, {1011}.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0019493 | Eskolaite | Kantor A, Kantor I, Merlini M, Glazyrin K, Prescher C, Hanfland M, Dubrovinsky L (2012) High-pressure structural studies of eskolaite by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 97 1764-1770 | 2012 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0004566 | Eskolaite | Logvinova A M, Wirth R, Sobolev N V, Seryotkin Y V, Yefimova E S, Floss C, Taylor L A (2008) Eskolaite associated with diamond from the Udachnaya kimberlite pipe, Yakutia, Russia American Mineralogist 93 685-690 | ![]() | 2008 | natural diamond, Udachnaya pipe, Yukutia, Russia | 0 | 293 |
| 0017802 | Eskolaite | Belokoneva E L, Shcherbakova Y K (2003) Electron density in synthetic eskolaite Cr2O3 with a corundum structure and its relation to antiferromagnetic properties Russian Journal of Inorganic Chemistry 48 861-869 | 2003 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0017805 | Eskolaite | Sawada H (1994) Residual electron density study of chromium sesquioxide by crystal structure and scattering factor refinement Materials Research Bulletin 29 239-245 | 1994 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0017804 | Eskolaite | Sawada H (1994) Residual electron density study of chromium sesquioxide by crystal structure and scattering factor refinement Materials Research Bulletin 29 239-245 | 1994 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0017803 | Eskolaite | Sawada H (1994) Residual electron density study of chromium sesquioxide by crystal structure and scattering factor refinement Materials Research Bulletin 29 239-245 | 1994 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0017737 | Eskolaite | Finger L W, Hazen R M (1980) Crystal structure and isothermal compression of Fe2O3, Cr2O3, and V2O3 to 50 kbars Journal of Applied Physics 51 5362-5367 | 1980 | synthetic | 0.0001 | 293 | |
| 0010596 | Eskolaite | Newnham R E, de Haan Y M (1962) Refinement of the alpha Al2O3, Ti2O3, V2O3 and Cr2O3 structures Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 117 235-237 | ![]() | 1962 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0017738 | Eskolaite | Finger L W, Hazen R M (1980) Crystal structure and isothermal compression of Fe2O3, Cr2O3, and V2O3 to 50 kbars Journal of Applied Physics 51 5362-5367 | 1980 | synthetic | 1.86 | 293 | |
| 0017739 | Eskolaite | Finger L W, Hazen R M (1980) Crystal structure and isothermal compression of Fe2O3, Cr2O3, and V2O3 to 50 kbars Journal of Applied Physics 51 5362-5367 | 1980 | synthetic | 4.06 | 293 | |
| 0017740 | Eskolaite | Finger L W, Hazen R M (1980) Crystal structure and isothermal compression of Fe2O3, Cr2O3, and V2O3 to 50 kbars Journal of Applied Physics 51 5362-5367 | 1980 | synthetic | 5.68 | 293 | |
| 0019494 | Eskolaite | Kantor A, Kantor I, Merlini M, Glazyrin K, Prescher C, Hanfland M, Dubrovinsky L (2012) High-pressure structural studies of eskolaite by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 97 1764-1770 | 2012 | synthetic | 8.1 | 293 | |
| 0019495 | Eskolaite | Kantor A, Kantor I, Merlini M, Glazyrin K, Prescher C, Hanfland M, Dubrovinsky L (2012) High-pressure structural studies of eskolaite by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 97 1764-1770 | 2012 | synthetic | 14 | 293 | |
| 0019496 | Eskolaite | Kantor A, Kantor I, Merlini M, Glazyrin K, Prescher C, Hanfland M, Dubrovinsky L (2012) High-pressure structural studies of eskolaite by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 97 1764-1770 | 2012 | synthetic | 20.4 | 293 | |
| 0019497 | Eskolaite | Kantor A, Kantor I, Merlini M, Glazyrin K, Prescher C, Hanfland M, Dubrovinsky L (2012) High-pressure structural studies of eskolaite by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 97 1764-1770 | 2012 | synthetic | 24.1 | 293 | |
| 0019498 | Eskolaite | Kantor A, Kantor I, Merlini M, Glazyrin K, Prescher C, Hanfland M, Dubrovinsky L (2012) High-pressure structural studies of eskolaite by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 97 1764-1770 | 2012 | synthetic | 29.6 | 293 | |
| 0019499 | Eskolaite | Kantor A, Kantor I, Merlini M, Glazyrin K, Prescher C, Hanfland M, Dubrovinsky L (2012) High-pressure structural studies of eskolaite by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 97 1764-1770 | 2012 | synthetic | 35.4 | 293 | |
| 0019500 | Eskolaite | Kantor A, Kantor I, Merlini M, Glazyrin K, Prescher C, Hanfland M, Dubrovinsky L (2012) High-pressure structural studies of eskolaite by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 97 1764-1770 | 2012 | synthetic | 39.7 | 293 | |
| 0019501 | Eskolaite | Kantor A, Kantor I, Merlini M, Glazyrin K, Prescher C, Hanfland M, Dubrovinsky L (2012) High-pressure structural studies of eskolaite by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 97 1764-1770 | 2012 | synthetic | 44.8 | 293 | |
| 0019502 | Eskolaite | Kantor A, Kantor I, Merlini M, Glazyrin K, Prescher C, Hanfland M, Dubrovinsky L (2012) High-pressure structural studies of eskolaite by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 97 1764-1770 | 2012 | synthetic | 50.2 | 293 | |
| 0019503 | Eskolaite | Kantor A, Kantor I, Merlini M, Glazyrin K, Prescher C, Hanfland M, Dubrovinsky L (2012) High-pressure structural studies of eskolaite by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 97 1764-1770 | 2012 | synthetic | 55.1 | 293 | |
| 0019504 | Eskolaite | Kantor A, Kantor I, Merlini M, Glazyrin K, Prescher C, Hanfland M, Dubrovinsky L (2012) High-pressure structural studies of eskolaite by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 97 1764-1770 | 2012 | synthetic | 63.9 | 293 | |
| 0019505 | Eskolaite | Kantor A, Kantor I, Merlini M, Glazyrin K, Prescher C, Hanfland M, Dubrovinsky L (2012) High-pressure structural studies of eskolaite by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 97 1764-1770 | 2012 | synthetic | 70.4 | 293 | |
| 0010608 | Eskolaite | Saalfeld H (1964) Strukturuntersuchungen im system Al2O3-Cr2O3 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 120 342-348 | ![]() | 1964 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0017966 | Eskolaite | Zachariasen W (1928) Untersuchungen ueber die Kristallstruktur von Sesquioxyden und Verbindungen ABO3 _cod_database_code 1011067 Skrifter utgitt av det Norske Videnskaps-Akademi i Oslo 1928 1-165 | 1928 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.630 Å | (96) |
| 2.665 Å | (97) |
| 2.479 Å | (94) |
| 2.174 Å | (48) |
| 1.8146 Å | (58) |
| 1.6746 Å | (100) |
| 1.4331 Å | (47) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Pre-terrestrial "Ur-minerals" | >4.57 |
| 1 : Stellar atmosphere condensates | |
| Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration | 4.566-4.550 |
| 5 : Primary asteroid phases | 4.566–4.560 |
| 6 : Secondary asteroid phases | 4.566-4.560 |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 26 : Hadean detrital minerals | |
| High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) |
Type Occurrence of Eskolaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Well developed hexagonal prisms 1-5 mm.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Chromium-bearing tremolite skarn.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Eskolaite
Relationship of Eskolaite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Hematite Group:
| Corundum | Al2O3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
| Hematite | Fe2O3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
| Karelianite | V3+2O3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
| Tistarite | Ti3+2O3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 13 photos of Eskolaite associated with Pyrrhotite | Fe1-xS |
| 7 photos of Eskolaite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 7 photos of Eskolaite associated with Pentlandite | (NixFey)Σ9S8 |
| 4 photos of Eskolaite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 3 photos of Eskolaite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Eskolaite associated with 'Chromium-bearing Diopside' | Ca(Mg,Cr)Si2O6 |
| 1 photo of Eskolaite associated with Mcconnellite | CuCrO2 |
| 1 photo of Eskolaite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.CB. | Magnesiohögbomite-6N12S | Mg5Al11TiO23(OH) |
| 4.CB. | Kidodite | BaMg2Fe16O27 |
| 4.CB. | Ferrohögbomite-2N2S | [(Fe2+,Mg,Zn,Al)3(Al,Ti,Fe3+)8O15(OH)]2 |
| 4.CB. | Zhenruite | (MoO3)2 · H2O |
| 4.CB. | Fuyuanite | Mg7Nb6O18(OH)8 |
| 4.CB. | Virgilluethite | MoO3 · H2O |
| 4.CB. | Pengite | (Pb8Sb3+3)Σ11Sb5+9O35 |
| 4.CB.05 | Brizziite | NaSb5+O3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Tistarite | Ti3+2O3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Ecandrewsite | ZnTiO3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Melanostibite | Mn2+2Fe3+Sb5+O6 |
| 4.CB.05 | 'UM1998-11-O-AuHSb' | Au+2Sb3+O2(OH) |
| 4.CB.05 | Karelianite | V3+2O3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Corundum | Al2O3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Geikielite | MgTiO3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Akimotoite | MgSiO3 |
| 4.CB.05 | 'Unnamed (Fe-Cr Oxide)' | FeCrO3 |
| 4.CB.05 | 'Auroantimonate' | AuSbO3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Hemleyite | Fe2+SiO3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
| 4.CB.05 | Pyrophanite | Mn2+TiO3 |
| 4.CB.10 | Bixbyite-(Fe) | (Fe,Mn)2O3 |
| 4.CB.10 | Bixbyite-(Mn) | Mn3+2O3 |
| 4.CB.10 | Avicennite | Tl3+2O3 |
| 4.CB.15 | Armalcolite | MgTi4+2O5 |
| 4.CB.15 | Ferropseudobrookite | Fe2+Ti4+2O5 |
| 4.CB.15 | Griffinite | Al2Ti4+O5 |
| 4.CB.15 | Pseudobrookite Group | |
| 4.CB.15 | Sassite | Ti3+2Ti4+O5 |
| 4.CB.15 | Pseudobrookite | Fe3+2Ti4+O5 |
| 4.CB.20 | Zincovelesite-6N6S | Zn3(Fe3+,Mn3+,Al,Ti)8O15(OH) |
| 4.CB.20 | Magnesiohögbomite-2N4S | (Mg8.43Fe2+1.57)Σ=10Al22Ti4+2O46(OH)2 |
| 4.CB.20 | Magnesiobeltrandoite-2N3S | (Mg6Al2)(Al18Fe3+2)O38(OH)2 |
| 4.CB.20 | Zincohögbomite-2N6S | [(Zn,Mg)7(Al,Fe3+,Ti)16O31(OH)]2 |
| 4.CB.20 | Magnesiohögbomite-6N6S | [(Mg,Fe2+)3(Al,Ti,Fe3+)8O15(OH)]6 |
| 4.CB.20 | Magnesiohögbomite-2N3S | [(Mg,Fe2+,Zn)4(Al,Ti,Fe3+)10O19(OH)]2 |
| 4.CB.20 | Magnesiohögbomite-2N2S | [(Mg,Fe2+)3[Al7(Ti,Fe3+)]O15(OH)]2 |
| 4.CB.20 | 'Ferrohögbomite-6N12S' | [(Fe2+,Mg,Zn)5(Al,Ti,Fe3+)12O23(OH)]6 |
| 4.CB.20 | Zincohögbomite-2N2S | [(Zn,Al,Fe2+)3(Al,Fe3+,Ti)8O15(OH)]2 |
| 4.CB.25 | Kleberite | FeTi6O11(OH)5 |
| 4.CB.25 | Pseudorutile | Fe3+2Ti4+3O9 |
| 4.CB.30 | Oxyvanite | V3+2V4+O5 |
| 4.CB.30 | Berdesinskiite | V3+2TiO5 |
| 4.CB.30 | Kaitianite | Ti3+2Ti4+O5 |
| 4.CB.35 | Machiite | Al2Ti3O9 |
| 4.CB.35 | Vestaite | (Ti4+Fe2+)Ti4+3O9 |
| 4.CB.35 | Olkhonskite | (Cr,V)2Ti3O9 |
| 4.CB.35 | Schreyerite | V3+2Ti4+3O9 |
| 4.CB.40 | Zincorinmanite-(Zn) | Zn2Sb2(Fe3+4Zn2)O14(OH)2 |
| 4.CB.40 | Majindeite | Mg2Mo3O8 |
| 4.CB.40 | Almagreraite | CuZnMn4+3O8 |
| 4.CB.40 | Kamiokite | Fe2Mo3O8 |
| 4.CB.40 | Nolanite | V3+8Fe3+2O14(OH)2 |
| 4.CB.40 | Iseite | Mn2Mo3O8 |
| 4.CB.40 |





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