Machiite
Machiite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula Al₂Ti₃O₉.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group C2/c). It is a member of the Schreyerite structural group.
Key properties: specific gravity 4.27.
IMA symbol Mci, IMA status: approved, named in 2016.
An ultra-refractory phase in matrix of a carbonaceous chondrite meteorite, likely formed in the solar nebula, either by gas-solid condensation or by crystallization from a Ca-Al-rich melt with solar-like oxygen isotopic composition.
It is found associated with Corundum, serpentine, tochilinite, olivine.
The mineral was named to honor Chi Ma (b. 1968), mineralogist at California Institute of Technology, USA, for his contributions to meteorite mineralogy and discovery of 45 new minerals.