The chemical formula of mineral Bixbyite is indicated by (Mn,Fe)2O3 or Manganese Iron Oxide. Bixbyite actually belongs to the Oxides and Hydroxides mineral class. Bixbyite was named after Maynard Bixby, a mineral dealer of Salt Lake City, Utah in the United States. It was Bixby who provided the first specimens of this mineral. Bixbyite was first discovered in the year 1897 at the Thomas Range in Utah, USA. Bixbyite is known to crystallize in the isometric system. In optical mineralogy, this isometric system comprises crystals having three axes, all of which are perpendicular to one another and all are found equal in lengths. Bixbyite is actually considered very rare in occurrence. But it is actually very well known among serious mineral collectors.
Bixbyite mineral is considered as a minor ore of manganese and also as a mineral specimen. Bixbyite mineral is usually under appreciated being an ore of manganese. When Bixbyite is found in massive form, it is commonly associated with other manganese oxides and it is usually impossible to differentiate. Bixbyite is most commonly found forming well-formed isometric crystals that are usually in highly modified cubes that are usually interesting to view under polarizing microscope for mineralogists. Bixbyite is usually found exhibiting nice high luster in reflected light of a polarized microscope and is also commonly found associated with several other attractive and interesting minerals. For this reason, Bixbyite is considered popular among collectors. This is true despite the fact that Bixbyite is exhibiting an unimpressive black color and it crystals are usually small in size.
Bixbyite is most commonly found in dark black shade in both reflected and transmitted light of petrographic polarizing microscopes. Bixbyite is most often found exhibiting a metallic to submetallic luster when viewed in reflected light of petrographic polarizing light microscope. Bixbyite mineral specimen also shows octahedral cleavage when the mineral is evaluated under several adjustments on the aperture diaphragm of polarizing light microscope for mineralogists. Bixbyite also displays uneven fracture when closely evaluated under several minor adjustments on the aperture diaphragm of the petrographic polarizing microscope. The specific gravity measure of Bixbyite is commonly found ranging from 4.9 grams per cubic centimeters to 5 grams per cubic centimeters, which is considered slightly above average for metallic minerals. The hardness measure for mineral Bixbyite when it is evaluated using the Mohs scale method is usually found 6.5. Bixbyite mineral specimen is most commonly found leaving a black streak it is rubbed on a white porcelain streak plate.
Bixbyite mineral crystals are commonly found opaque in appearance. The crystal habits of Bixbyite as described in the field of optical mineralogy usually include cubes, which are often with dodecahedral and octahedral faces modifying the corners, which can be clearly seen with the aid of petrographic polarizing light microscopes. Bixbyite crystals are found in fine crystalline forms, which usually occur as well-formed fine sized crystals and are commonly showing nice and wonderful microscope views when evaluated with the aid of polarized light microscopes. They can be also found in massive forms and sometimes granular, which are commonly exhibiting interesting microscope images under a polarizing light microscope for geologists. Sometimes Crystal faces of Bixbyite are commonly striated and occasionally deeply pitted and are clearly visible when viewed with the aid of geological polarizing light microscopes.
Bixbyite crystals are usually found in cube form and are usually exhibiting interesting microscope images under polarized microscopes used in optical mineralogy. Bixbyite crystals are commonly small at about half an inch wide. The corners of the cubes can be modified by octahedral faces that are commonly found truncating the corners with a single face that is usually flat. The corners of the predominant cube can be also found modified by the faces of a dodecahedron, and usually with three faces per corner. Bixbyite crystals will actually appear very complex and exquisitely beautiful when viewed with the aid of petrographic polarizing light microscope if these three forms are found present.
Bixbyite is actually an isotropic mineral and this property can be seen more clearly exhibited when the mineral is viewed between crossed nicols of polarizing microscope. In optical mineralogy, isotropic mineral have sections have no power to produce any illumination when viewed between crossed nicols of petrographic polarizing microscope for mineralogists. They can be also found as singly refracting and are consequently quite dark when evaluated between crossed nicols of polarizing light microscope used in optical mineralogy. Bixbyite crystals are sometimes twinned and these are more clearly visible when the mineral section is evaluated under polarized microscopes for geologists. They can be actually found having penetration twins that are interesting when viewed under polarizing light microscopes. After several chemical evaluations made, Bixbyite minerals are found not radioactive. Bixbyite is also found as partly soluble in hydrochloric acid.
Bixbyite minerals are commonly associated with several other interesting minerals such as quartz, topaz, beryl, spessartine, braunite, hematite, hausmannite and pseudobrookite. The best field indicators of Bixbyite mineral usually include density, locality, crystal habit, hardness and its wonderful and exquisitely beautiful association with several other minerals. Bixbyite are actually commonly found in some pneumatolytic, hydrothermal and metamorphic rocks. They can be also found forming in siliceous volcanic rocks. Various assortments of Bixbyite mineral are actually found in cavities in rhyolitic rock. It can be actually found forming in the lithophysal cavities in rhyolite. They can be also found in metamorphosed manganese ores. And most of them make for very attractive and very much sought after mineral specimens. Bixbyite minerals have limited occurrence at some types of localities including Sweden, Argentina, South Africa, Spain, Utah, India and Mexico. Especially wonderful and attractive Bixbyite mineral specimens are actually from the Thomas Range in Utah.
