bruciet

Bruciet is not a widely recognized term in mineralogy. It may be a misspelling or variant of brucite, a known mineral. The entry below summarizes brucite, which is likely what is meant.

Brucite (chemical formula Mg(OH)2) is a magnesium hydroxide mineral that forms white to colorless crystals or masses. It has a Mohs hardness of about 2.5 and a specific gravity near 2.4. It commonly occurs in sheet-like, platy crystals and in foliated masses, with a pearly to vitreous luster. It is commonly found in metamorphic and hydrothermal environments.

Geologic occurrence: Brucite is characteristic of serpentinite and other magnesium-rich rocks and can appear as veins or disseminations in ultramafic rocks. It often coexists with serpentine minerals, talc, calcite, and magnesite.

Formation and stability: Brucite forms through hydration reactions in ultramafic rocks and during alteration of magnesium-bearing minerals. It is soluble in acids, releasing Mg2+ ions and water.

Economic and practical aspects: While not a major ore, brucite is a potential source of magnesium; industrially, its dehydration yields magnesium oxide and other magnesium compounds used in flame retardants, ceramics, and chemical processing. In laboratory settings, brucite can be used to study hydrogen bonding and hydroxide sheet structures.