Tags: Chemical Substance, Mineral.
Sapphirine is a rare mineral a silicate of magnesium and aluminium with the chemical formula (MgAl)8(AlSi)6O20 (with iron as a major impurity). Named for its sapphire-like colour sapphirine is primarily of interest to researchers and collectors: well-formed crystals are treasured and occasionally cut into gemstones. Sapphirine has also been synthesized for experimental purposes via a hydrothermal process.
