CHEMISTRY - Mg(OH)2
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY - Hexagonal
CRYSTAL GROWTH AND HABITS - Crystals of Brucite are tabular. It is normally found as foliated masses and rosettes. It is also fibrous.
COLOR AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES - White, light green, light blue to gray; various shades of reddish brown
HARDNESS - 2.5
SPECIFIC GRAVITY - 2.39
LUSTER - Waxy to pearly on cleavage faces; mats are dull
STREAK - White
BREAKABILITY - Crystals have perfect {0001} cleavage. Brucite is sectile and flexible. The fibers are elastic.
OCCURRENCE - Brucite is found in low temperature hydrothermal veins in marbles and schists rich in chlorite. It is often formed during the alteration of Dunites. It is commonly the alteration product of periclase in marble.
ASSOCIATED MINERALS - Calcite, Dolomite, Magnesite, Hydromagnesite, Talc
MINERAL NAME - Named for Archibald Bruce - a Professor of Mineralogy at Yale University.