Magnetite (Oxides)

Magnetite iron oxide Fe3O4
magnetite crystals (photo courtesy of Amethyst Galleries, Inc.)

Diagnostic properties:

Hardness: 6.
Specific Gravity: 5.18.
Luster: metallic.
Color: iron-black.
Streak: black.
Cleavage: some octahedral parting.
Transparency: opaque.
Other properties: strongly magnetic; may act as a natural magnet (lodestone).
Occurrence: very common.
Crystal system: isometric.
Uses: An important ore of iron.

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