chromite

views updated May 08 2018

chromite Member of the chromite group of minerals in the spinel group, Fe²⁺Cr₂O₄, along with magnesiochromite (MgCr₂O₄); sp. gr. 5.1; black; sub-metallic lustre; crystals cubic, but normally it is massive or a granular aggregate; occurs in basic and ultrabasic rocks. It is the primary source of chromium.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

chromite

views updated May 23 2018

chro·mite / ˈkrōˌmīt/ • n. a brownish-black mineral that consists of a mixed oxide of chromium and iron and is the principal ore of chromium.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

chromite

views updated May 18 2018

chromite Black mineral, ferrous chromic oxide (FeO.Cr₂O₃), separated from magma in the formation of igneous rock. It is weakly magnetic and opaque. Hardness 5.5; r.d. 4.6.

World Encyclopedia