Humite (mineral group)
The humite group is a group of nesosilicates with the general formula Anm2.
When A is predominantly magnesium we have the humite subgroup:
- norbergite, Mg32
- chondrodite, 522
- humite, 732
- clinohumite, 942
The manganese-humite subgroup has members
- alleghanyite, 522
- manganhumite, 732
- sonolite, Mn942
and the leucophoenicite subgroup has members
- ribbeite, Mn522
- leucophoenicite, 32
- jerrygibbsite 942
Chondrodite is the most common member of the humite group. It may contain Ti up to 9.6% TiO2. Chondrodite from Sterling Hill Mine and Franklin Mine contains zinc to 11.5% ZnO and Mn to 36% MnO, and grades to alleghanyite.
The humite minerals commonly alter to serpentine or Mg-rich chlorite and dissolve by weathering, leaving iron oxide residues.
