gabbroon

Gabbroon is a rare and distinctive mineral that belongs to the pyroxene group. It is primarily composed of calcium, iron, magnesium, and silicon, with the chemical formula (Ca,Na)(Fe,Mg,Al)Si2O6. Gabbroon is typically found in igneous rocks, particularly in gabbros, which are coarse-grained intrusive rocks formed from the slow cooling of magma beneath the Earth's surface.

The mineral is characterized by its dark green to black color, which is due to the presence of iron and magnesium. It has a hardness of approximately 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively hard and durable. Gabbroon exhibits a prismatic crystal structure and often forms as euhedral crystals, meaning they have well-defined faces.

Gabbroon is not commonly encountered in mineral collections due to its rarity and the fact that it is often found in association with other minerals in gabbros. However, it is of interest to geologists and mineralogists for its unique composition and the geological context in which it forms. The study of gabbroon can provide insights into the processes of magma formation, crystallization, and the evolution of igneous rocks.