Tags: Chemical Substance, Mineral.
Periclase occurs naturally in contact metamorphic rocks and is a major component of most basic refractory bricks. It is a cubic form of magnesium oxide (MgO).It was first described in 1840 and named from the Greek περικλάω (to break around) in allusion to its cleavage. The type locality is Monte Somma Somma-Vesuvius Complex Naples Province Campania Italy.The old term for the mineral is magnesia.