Biotite is a mineral belonging to the iron mica category. It is very soft and elastic, easy to process. In nature, the stone can often be found near feldspars, muscovites and garnets. Main deposits: Norway, Italy, Russia, Brazil, Germany and Alaska.
Biotite is a mineral belonging to the category of iron micas
Description and varieties
The mineral biotite, depending on the chemical composition and amount of impurities, can be yellow, black, bronze, red and dark green. This iron mica was first discovered in the mid-19th century. French scientist J.B. Biot. The stone got its name in his honor. It is worth noting that the mineral easily melts in fire, and when exposed to the sun for a long time, it loses its color.
The mineral biotite, depending on the chemical composition and amount of impurities, can be yellow, black, bronze, red and dark green.
Depending on the impurities included in the chemical composition, the following types of biotite are distinguished:
- Bowerite. Better known as cat's gold. It is distinguished by a bronze color.
- Rubellan is a red-brown mineral.
- Meroxene. It contains a small proportion of iron.
- Siderophyllite. Dark brown crystals are saturated with iron.
- Lepidomelan. This black mineral is composed primarily of iron oxide.
The stone is actively used in the cosmetics industry; sparkles for toys are made from it. In jewelry, beautiful jewelry is made from biotite.
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But mineralogists use it to determine the age of rocks. Particularly large and spectacular crystals are included in the collection.
Description of the mineral
The most iron-rich variety of biotite is lepidomelan, whose name is translated from Greek as “black scale.” This mica really looks like black fish scales, it shines beautifully and easily breaks into separate layers - translucent scales. The hardness of this mica on the Mohs scale is only 3 units. It is found mainly in iron-rich and manganese-poor rock eruptions. This stone can be found in large crystals in Alaska, Canada, the southern Urals and the Kola Peninsula. Currently, after biotite has lost the right to the title of mineral, black scale has become its analogue and is now described as a mineral composition with the general formula K(Fe,Mg)3(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2.
Other varieties of the former mineral suffered the same fate: iron-poor meroxene, iron-rich siderophyllite and reddish rubellane.
Magical and healing properties
The mineral has a number of magical and healing properties. So, depending on the color, it has a special effect on its owners. The green crystal brings peace of mind and helps get rid of internal contradictions. The red stone improves family relationships, returns love and passion. Black mica is used to connect with higher powers and develop intuition. Magicians believe that lepidomelan helps to understand the Universe and reveal all its secrets.
The bronze mineral attracts good luck and financial well-being. It is believed that if you constantly carry it in your wallet, your material well-being will significantly improve. Lepidomelan also helps to cope with shyness and lack of self-confidence.
Lithotherapists claim that the mineral has the ability to relieve stress and nervous tension. Lepidomelan improves the functioning of the body's endocrine, immune and hormonal systems. It normalizes blood sugar levels, metabolism, and improves hair condition.
The mineral has a number of magical and healing properties.
Astrologers note that the stone has a positive effect on representatives of any zodiac sign. Products made from the mineral are recommended to be worn by anyone who wants to improve their intuition, get rid of internal blocks and develop extrasensory abilities.
Practical use
The former mineral has not ceased to be beautiful and desirable for collectors. On the gem shelves you can see large specimens, surrounded by admiring connoisseurs who want to purchase a layered shiny example for their collection. Especially large plates can be looked at as if in a mirror - their smooth black surface reflects the surrounding reality so well.
There are cases when the dimensions of the plates reached several meters.
The active use of biotite in other areas is hampered by its softness and susceptibility to weathering, as a result of which the layered structure loses strength and crumbles. However, it is these crumbs that are used as an additive to paint, giving the effect of golden sparkles. Sometimes the crumbled layers are used for toys, theatrical scenery is covered with shiny scales, the crushed mineral is added to roof tiles, and is also used as an insulating material.
In addition to collectors, translucent mica plates are very popular with scientists, who through them learn about changes in geological processes that took place in ancient times. The layers on the stone represent a chronicle of the history of rocks, the reading of which opens the door to the past for researchers, allowing them to touch the study of the origin of life on earth.
Magical properties of the stone
People who believe in the magic of stones should definitely purchase biotite. The mineral has various magical properties that differ among varieties of iron mica. If a person wants to attract profit and material stability, he must put a bronze-colored stone in his wallet. With green crystals you can achieve peace of mind. Pink and red stones will help strengthen family ties and establish intimate relationships between spouses.
Minerals are used by magicians in occult practices. Individuals enlightened in this matter use them to contact their patrons. Biotite helps magicians and sorcerers develop the gift of clairvoyance, predict the future and enhance intuitive sensations. Correct use of the stone guarantees the discovery of the secrets of the universe, getting rid of energy blocks and enhancing the extrasensory abilities of its wearer.
In astrology, biotite crystals will have a beneficial effect on all zodiac signs. Anyone can use an amulet with this mineral without fear, since such a talisman does not cause any harm.
Scope of application of the material
Until recently, the unusual stone was practically not used in industrial areas. The mineral usually served as an additive in the decoration of children's toys and the design of theatrical decorative elements. It was also an excellent material for glitter.
Today, the practical uses of biotite are very diverse. The mineral is used in many industries due to its numerous properties.
Popular applications of odenite:
- Electrical and radio industry;
- Field of optical instrumentation;
- Construction;
- Paint and varnish production;
- Agriculture;
- Mineralogy;
- Cosmetology.
Excellent insulating properties and resistance to high temperatures make biotite a useful material in the production of radio engineering and electronics as a substitute for synthetic components. In the field of optical instrumentation, the mineral is used due to its significant birefringence.
Known varieties of biotite
Minerals of the aluminosilicate group can form in various sediments. For this reason, varieties of iron mica come in different shapes and shades.
Known types of biotite:
- Bowerite (or cat's gold) is a bronze-colored mineral;
- Lepidomelan is a black odenite containing a large amount of iron oxide;
- Meroxene is a stone with a small proportion of iron;
- Rubellan is a biotite characterized by a red-brown color;
- Siderophyllite is a dark brown or black mineral characterized by a high percentage of iron and a minimal amount of magnesium.
Glauconite (hydromica) is a green crystal formed under the influence of sea waters. Scientists consider this species to be an independent group. Glauconite often acts as an independent unit, and not a subspecies of biotite.
Description and physical properties
Biotite is a solid solution that is the interval between the annite-phlogopite and siderophyllite-istonite series. The official list includes a stone with the designation IMA: the rock-forming material is a group of minerals.
Scientists give two chemical formulas for biotite:
- K (Mg, Fe2+)3 (Si3Al) O 10 (OH, F)2;
- K2O 6 (Mg, Fe) OAl2O3 6SiO2 2H2O.
They are equivalent, since they have the same meaning, but taking into account different types of impurities.
Under natural conditions, the substance occurs in the following form:
- Lamellar;
- Scaly;
- Columnar.
Origin and places of extraction
Biotite, which is often called brown or black mica, began to be studied back in the 19th century. The properties of the material were then studied by the French military specialist, academician, physicist and mathematician Jean-Baptiste Biot. The breed received its name in his honor. The name was assigned to the stone by mineralogist Johann Hausmann in 1847. He decided to study the mineral in detail, identifying a whole group of substances. The properties of biotite were studied in the 20th century, and a more detailed account of it was made by the beginning of the 21st century. It was since 2000 that scientists believed that the stone had been studied to a relatively complete extent.
According to the occurrence factor, biotite is divided into:
- Granite - formed in igneous rocks;
- Pegmatite - found in basalt deposits;
- Metamorphic - found in gneisses or schists.
Most stones come from volcanic and igneous rocks. The mineral is no less often found in granites and trachytes. It can be found less frequently in basalt veins. Some specimens can be found in ore deposits, although there they are in a destroyed state. Neighbors of biotites are feldspars, potassium micas, garnets and aluminum silicate.
Stones can be found in many places around the world. The most famous biotite deposits are:
- Ilmen Mountains;
- Southern Urals (Svetlinsky quarry);
- Germany (Harz, Lausitz, Meissen, Oberwiesenthal);
- Tanzania (Uluguru);
- Canada (Ontario).
Greenland, Brazil, Sweden, and Norway can also boast significant volumes of minerals. Deposits of the material have been found in Alaska in the United States and in several Italian cities.
