The chemical formula of mineral Inesite is indicated by Ca2Mn7Si10O28(OH)2 or Hydrated Calcium Manganese Silicate Hydroxide. Inesite is actually a Silicate mineral. The mineral species Inesite was first described from the Hilfe Gottes Mine in Germany in 1887. The name of Inesite was actually derived from the Greek word ines, which means flesh fibers. This is relative to the crystal habit formed by the mineral. Mineral Inesite is known to crystallize in the triclinic system. In optical mineralogy, this triclinic crystal system commonly comprises crystals having three axes, of which all are unequal in length and are positioned oblique to one another.
Inesite is most commonly used as mineral specimen and is often found exhibiting nice and fascinating appearance when viewed with the aid of polarizing light microscopes. Inesite can form a very attractive pink or rose colored specimens that are usually splendidly exhibited under petrographic polarizing light microscopes although it is not commonly found in rock shops. Most mineral collectors commonly seek after Inesite specimens. The most common prismatic crystals of Inesite are usually found having slanted or chisel-shaped termination that can be seen more clearly visible when viewed under petrographic polarizing light microscope for mineralogists.
Mineral Inesite is most commonly found exhibitng pink to orange or flesh-red to rose color that are usually more fascinatingly attractive when viewed with the aid of petrographic polarizing light microscopes used in optical mineralogy. Crystals of Inesite usually tarnishes to a brown color. Inesite is most commonly found exhibiting vitreous luster when viewed in reflected light of polarizing light microscope for mineralogists. Inesite is most commonly found exhibiting a good cleavage in one direction and perfect in another when viewed under polarized light microscope. Inesite also exhibits uneven fracture under polarizing microscope for mineralogists. The specific gravity measure of mineral Inesite usually gives an approximately value of about 3.0 grams per cubic centimeters, which is considered average for translucent minerals. The hardness measure of mineral Inesite when it is evaluated using the Mohs scale method is usually 6. Inesite is commonly found leaving a pale pink streak when it is rubbed on a white porcelain streak plate.
Generally, the crystals of Inesite are translucent in appearance. The crystal habit of mineral Inesite as described in optical mineralogy usually include prismatic crystals with chisel-like terminations and it can be seen visible when viewed with the aid of polarizing light microscopes. Inesite can be also found forming tabular and fibrous crystals as well as radiating aggregates and sphericules that are usually splendidly exhibited under petrographic polarizing light microscopes. Inesite also shows moderate surface relief when viewed under geological polarizing microscope. When Inesite is viewed between crossed nicols of polarized light microscope, it is commonly found having biaxial negative figure. The refractive index of Inesite is usually found ranging from 1.609 to 1.644 when the specimen is evaluated with the aid of geological polarizing light microscopes. It also exhibits strong dispersion when evaluated under polarized microscopes. The maximum birefringence exhibited by Inesite between crossed nicols of petrographic polarizing light microscope is usually 0.035. There is no specific data on the toxicity and health dangers for mineral Inesite. However, the specimens of Inesite should be treated with great care and use of sensible precaution is advised upon handling them. Inesite is a non-radioactive mineral species.
Inesite mineral is most commonly associated with other interesting minerals such as apophyllite, rhodonite, axinite, serpentine, and rhodochrosite. The best field indicators of mineral Inesite usually include color, luster, crystal habit and associations. Mineral Inesite can be found in hydrothermally altered manganese bearing rocks. Inesite notably occurs at several localities including the New Broken Hill Mine in Australia, Durango in Mexico, Nanzenbach in Germany and Trinity Co. in California in USA.
