Dark reddish brown crystal aggregates of the extremely rare Mg-Fe oxide mineral muskoxite from the type and only known locality worldwide in the Muskoxite Intrusion (Muskox Intrusion, Coppermine River, Nunavut Territory, Canada), on a contrasting white matrix. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Muskoxite
Muskoxite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula Mg₇Fe³⁺₄(OH)₂₆·H₂O.
It is a member of the Hydrotalcite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3; specific gravity 3.1–3.2; Pale orange-brown streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Mkx, IMA status: questionable, named in 1967.
Found in thin veinlets in serpentinite from a layered ultramafic complex.
It is found associated with Lizardite, coalingite, Mg–Fe–Mn oxides.
The name refers to its occurrence in the Muskox intrusion, Canada.