chromite

/kroh"muyt/, n.

1. Chem. a salt of chromium in the bivalent state.

2. Mineral. a cubic mineral, ferrous chromate, Fe₃Cr₂O₃, usually with much of the ferrous iron and aluminum replaced by magnesium, and some of the chromium by ferric iron: the principal ore of chromium.

[1830-40; CHROM(IUM) or CHROM(ATE) + -ITE¹]

* * *

Relatively hard, metallic, black oxide mineral of chromium and iron (FeCr₂O₄) that is the chief commercial source of chromium.

Chromite is commonly found as brittle masses in peridotites, serpentines, and other basic igneous and metamorphic rocks. The principal producing areas are South Africa, Russia, Albania, the Philippines, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Brazil, India, and Finland.

* * *

▪ mineral

      relatively hard, metallic, black oxide mineral of chromium and iron (FeCr₂O₄) that is the chief commercial source of chromium. It is the principal member of the spinel series of chromium oxides; the other naturally occurring member is magnesiochromite, oxide of magnesium and chromium (MgCr₂O₄). Chromite is commonly found as brittle masses in peridotites, serpentines, and other basic igneous and metamorphic rocks; an unusual occurrence is as a crystalline inclusion in diamond. The earliest worked deposits were those in the serpentine of the Bare Hills near Baltimore, Md., U.S. The principal producing areas of chromite are South Africa, Russia, Albania, the Philippines, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Brazil, India, and Finland. For detailed physical properties, see oxide mineral (table).

* * *