Moissanite
SiCIMA symbol: Moigrandfathered
Moissanite is a native element or alloy mineral with the formula SiC, crystallizing in the hexagonal system. It has a Mohs hardness of 9.25, typically green in color, a calculated density of 3.213 g/cm3. Cleavage is imperfect.
Photos
Crystallography
| Crystal system | hexagonal crystal systemWikidata (CC0) |
|---|---|
| Space group | P 63 m c |
| Cell (Å, °) | a = 3.081, b = 3.081, c = 15.1248; α = 90, β = 90, γ = 120 |
| Cell volume | 124.338 ų, Z = 6 |
| Axial ratios | 1.0000:1:4.9091calculated from COD 9010158 |
| Source structure | COD 9010158 (American Mineralogist, 2007) — 1 of 3 structures |
Powder X-ray diffraction (calculated)
| d (Å) | 2.516 | 2.521 | 1.541 | 2.358 | 2.628 | 1.314 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I/I₀ | 100 | 67.4 | 61 | 59.7 | 55.9 | 47 |
xrd-v1: CuKa1 1.5406A, 2theta 5-90, top10, Imax=100, no DW/PO. Computed from COD 9010158; idealized occupancies, no preferred orientation.
Physical properties
| Density (calculated) | 3.213 g/cm³calculated from COD 9010158 |
|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs) | 9.25single sourceWikidata (CC0) |
| Color | greenDana's System, 2nd Appendix (1909) |
| Cleavage | imperfectDana's System, 2nd Appendix (1909) |
Chemistry (calculated)
| Molecular weight | 40.1 g/molcalculated from the IMA formula |
|---|---|
| Composition (wt%) | Si 70.05%, C 29.95% |
Classification
| Nickel-Strunz (10th) | 1.DA.Wikidata (CC0) |
|---|---|
| Nickel-Strunz (9th) | 1.DA.05Wikidata (CC0) |