Xieite
The high-pressure spinel polymorph of chromite — discovered in the shocked Suizhou meteorite.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Xieite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula FeCr₂O₄.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Bbmm). It is a member of the Post-spinel structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 5.5; specific gravity 5.342; [Metallic.] luster.
IMA symbol Xi, IMA status: approved, named in 2007.
Found in a shock vein in a L6 chondrite meteorite, formed by solid-state transformation of chromite under shock-induced high pressure and temperature (Suizhou).
It is found associated with Ringwoodite, majorite, lingunite, tuite, olivine, pyroxene, chromite (Suizhou); chenmingite, chromite, Fe-Cr-rich ulvöspinel (Tissint).
The mineral was named to honor Professor Xiande Xie, former president of the International Mineralogical Association (1990 to 1994) for his contributions to mineralogy and shock effects on minerals.