metahewettite

Metahewettite is a rare mineral discovered in 1989 in the United States. It is named after its chemical composition, which includes magnesium, iron, and oxygen, and its similarity to the mineral hewettite. Metahewettite is typically found in metamorphic rocks, particularly those that have undergone contact metamorphism, where rocks are altered by the heat from nearby igneous intrusions.

The mineral is characterized by its dark brown to black color and its metallic luster. It has a hardness of approximately 5.5 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively hard but not as hard as some other minerals. Metahewettite is orthorhombic in crystal structure, and its crystals are typically small and prismatic.

Metahewettite is of limited interest to mineral collectors due to its rarity and the difficulty in finding well-formed crystals. However, it is of interest to geologists and petrologists for its insights into the processes of metamorphism and the formation of metamorphic rocks. The mineral's discovery and study have contributed to our understanding of the complex chemical and physical changes that occur during metamorphism.