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Silicate

Barysilite

Pb₈Mn(Si₂O₇)₃
Hardness3
Crystal systemHexagonal
ClassSilicate

Barysilite

Barysilite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula Pb₈Mn(Si₂O₇)₃.

It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group R-3c).

Key properties: Mohs hardness 3; specific gravity 6.55–6.71; Pearly on cleavage luster; optically uniaxial.

IMA symbol Bsl, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1888.

Found in iron ores (Harstigen mine, Sweden); as thin films and veinlets in a metamorphosed zinc orebody (Franklin, New Jersey, USA).

It is found associated with Garnet, willemite, axinite, hardystonite (Franklin, New Jersey, USA).

Its name comes from the Greek for heavy and for SILicon in its composition.

Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet. Browse more B minerals or help write this entry.