The incredibly beautiful and varied magnesite stone attracts not so much jewelers as industrialists. The ore, which is this stone, is the basis for the smelting of refractory materials, such as steel. In addition, this stone has unique healing properties. And those who believe in magic attribute magical abilities to it.
What is magnesite?
Magnesite is a rock distributed almost throughout the world. Its other name is magnesium carbonate or magnesia spar. The chemical formula of magnesite is MgCO 3. This is a fairly popular and common mineral that is actively used in heavy industry for the manufacture of refractory alloys.
Magnesite is also called a refractory material, which includes MgO and impurities.
Stone history
Magnesite deposits were first discovered in ancient Greece. The name of the stone was received in honor of the Greek region of Magnasia, where it was found. Magnesite is an amazing stone that immediately struck people with its intricate structure and diversity of inclusions. Having discovered the property of refractoriness, the ancient Greeks immediately began to use magnesite in industry, and the entrepreneurial Greeks began to use crystalline stones that shone beautifully in the sun to create jewelry.
The origin of the mineral
The origin of magnesite is associated with hydrothermal and surface deposits.
The rocks in which magnesite deposits are found differ in the nature of their formation. They may be:
- salinity;
- igneous;
- ultrabasic;
- metamorphic.
In addition, magnesite is located in hidden arrays of granular porcelain. Dolomite magnesite is mined on an industrial scale.
Mineral description
Externally, this mineral is very similar to marble, but unlike it, magnesite is a rather fragile stone due to the high percentage of carbon dioxide in it. The basis of this rock is magnesium, because of which it has a predominantly white color. Depending on the impurities that make up magnesite, it can be a stone of yellow, green, gray, brown or even bluish tint. It can be impurities of calcium, iron and other chemicals. In nature, magnesite with a dull surface and a stone having a glossy glass luster are found.
Beautiful shiny magnesite is much less common and is mainly used in jewelry production.
Stone properties
The physical properties of magnesite include the following characteristics:
- The stone has a non-metallic matte luster, sometimes with a glass tint.
- The structure of the mineral is represented by crystals or elongated grains - trigonal and rhombohedral.
- This rock has perfect cleavage.
- The mineral is fragile, like porcelain.
- Due to the low density of the substance, its mass is not large.
- Magnesite is a poorly soluble mineral.
- The stone has increased chemical activity.
- Irregular rock formations are often found in nature.
- When a magnesite powder is exposed to heated hydrochloric acid, it begins to boil; the reaction with other dilute acids proceeds without boiling.
Magnesite deposits
The first deposits of magnesite were discovered in ancient Greece in the region of Magnasia. Today, the extraction of this natural mineral is carried out in many countries of the world.
The magnesite mining champion is Russia. It is also extracted from the bowels of the earth in Greece, India, China, the United States of America, North Korea, Brazil, Mexico and Australia.
The largest development of magnesite deposits in the world is located in the Irkutsk region. This is the Savinskoye deposit, which produces Siberian magnesite. The same type of stone is mined in the Volga region and the Far East. Also in Russia there are deposits of a special type of magnesite - astrakhan.
Special magnesite is mined in the Chelyabinsk region at the Satka deposit. This mineral has a special decorative look. This is due to the fact that it contains wood components.
Bright yellow magnesite is mined in Austria. It attracts with its extraordinary beauty, which is why it is very in demand in the production of jewelry.
Pink magnesite samples found in France. And Brazilian ores are famous for their especially large sizes.
In the photo below - magnesite with different impurities, as a result of which the appearance of the stone is very different.
Mineral application
Magnesite is a fairly common rock. The diversity of its species is due to the large number of impurities that make up the stone. It also provides a wide range of industries in which magnesite is used.
The main industrial sector in which magnesite is actively used is ferrous metallurgy.
Metallurgical magnesite is the main material in the manufacture of magnesite products. In production, it is often replaced by caustic.
Due to its properties, this type of ore is the basis for the production of refractory materials.
Rubber and plastics are synthesized from magnesite, and heat-insulating materials and even fertilizers are produced.
Magnesite is used in the pulp and chemical industries. Also, this mineral is used in the manufacture of building materials. Fundamentally new are magnesite plates. These are even sheets that consist of several layers. Thanks to the high-tech processing of magnesite ore, scientists were able to obtain magnesite cement, which has a sufficiently high strength. And due to the property of fire resistance, this material has become indispensable in construction.
Decorative pieces of stone attract masters of jewelry.
Particularly noteworthy are the samples of bright yellow, pink and blue. The most popular in the jewelry industry are necklaces, necklaces and earrings made of shiny magnesite.
Ores of this mineral are also used in medicine.
The therapeutic effect of the stone on the nervous system is confirmed not only by traditional medicine, but also official. Magnesite has a calming effect, positively affecting the human nervous system.
The effect of the mineral on eyesight is proven. Magnesite is able to relieve fatigue from the eyes, normalize intraocular pressure. It is also used to prevent eye diseases and gradually improve vision.
However, seers believe that magnesite can protect a person from harm and disease, but not cure it.
