Holmquistite is a lithium magnesium aluminium inosilicate mineral with chemical formula Li2(Mg,Fe2+)3Al2Si8O22(OH)2. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system as prismatic crystals up to 10 cm (3.9 in) or as massive aggregates. It has a Mohs hardness of 5–6 and a specific gravity of 2.95 to 3.13.

Holmquistite
Holmquistite from the Foote Mineral Co., Kings Mountain, North Carolina
General
CategoryInosilicate
Formula
(repeating unit)
(Li2)(Mg3Al2)(Si8O22)(OH)2
IMA symbolHlm[1]
Strunz classification9.DD.05
Dana classification66.1.2.9
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classDipyramidal (mmm)
H-M Symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupPnma

Color could vary from black, dark violet to light sky blue.

It occurs as metasomatic replacements on the margins of lithium rich pegmatites.

It was first described in 1913 from an occurrence in Utö, near Stockholm, Sweden. It was named for the Swedish petrologist Per Johan Holmquist (1866–1946).[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Mindat with location data
  3. ^ Webmineral data