Inesite


Inesite is a hydrous calcium manganese silicate mineral.  Its chemical formula is Ca2Mn7Si10O282•5. Inesite is an inosilicate with a triclinic crystal system. It has a Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6, and a specific gravity of 3.0. Its name originates from the Greek Ίνες, "fibers" in allusion to its color and habit.

Occurrence and distribution

Inesite occurs in hydrothermal replacement deposits of manganese-rich metamorphic rocks and serpentines.  It was first described in 1887 at Hilfe Gottes Mine, Oberscheld, Dillenburg, Dillenburg District, Hesse, Germany. Outside of the type locality, there are several notable localities of inesite, such as: