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Spinel [abbr. Spl ]

Year of discovery: 1779 (World), 1916 (Japan)

Locality list: 373 localities of spinel

• MgAl₂O₄
• [Mg²⁺][Al³⁺₂][O₄]^8-

• Class: Spinel subgroup < Oxyspinel group < Spinel supergroup
• Class: Oxide
• Variety: Ceylonite (+Fe)
• Insoluble in: HCl
• Fluorescence: UV excitation (Some examples, Red)

• Mg => Zn: Gahnite (Series)
• Mg => Mn: Galaxite
• Mg => Fe: Hercynite (Series)
• Mg => Be: Chrysoberyl

• Al => Cr: Magnesiochromite (Series)
• Al => Fe: Magnesioferrite
• Al => V: Magnesiocoulsonite

• Color: Black, Blue, Red, Green
• Streak: Gray
• Luster: Vitreous
• Diaphaneity: Transparent-Translucent

• Habit: Octahedral
• Twin: Spinel twin

• Cleavage: No, Parting on {111} (4 planes)
• Hardness: 7.5-8
• Density: 3.6

• System: Cubic
• Group: m3m, Fd3m
• Lattice: a=8.1

Etymology: Spina (Splinter) in Latin