Found as one subhedral crystal in a cluster of micrometer-sized refractory grains along with khamrabaevite (TiC), rutile, and corundum crystals within a chondrule. Corundum group.
IMA Status:
Approved IMA 2008 (Dana # Added)
Locality:
Allende meteorite, Pueblito de Allende, Chihuahua, Mexico Link to MinDat.org Location Data.
Name Origin:
Named after the composition "Ti" and the word "star," implying that this new refractory mineral is among the first solids formed in the solar system.
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Newnham R E , de Haan Y M , Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie , 117 (1962) p.235-237, Refinement of the alpha Al2O3, Ti2O3, V2O3 and Cr2O3 structures, Locality: synthetic
Physical Properties of Tistarite
Diaphaneity:
Opaque
Fracture:
Unknown - Minerals too small to observe fractures.
Habit:
Microscopic Crystals - Crystals visible only with microscopes.
Hardness:
8.5 - Chrysoberyl
Luster:
Metallic
Optical Properties of Tistarite
Optical Data:
NCalc= 1.8 - from Gladstone-Dale relationship (KC = 0.2643) where Ncalc=Dcalc*KC+1
Calculated Properties of Tistarite
Electron Density:
Bulk Density (Electron Density)=2.86 gm/cc note: Specific Gravity of Tistarite =3.02 gm/cc.
Fermion Index:
Fermion Index = 0.08 Boson Index = 0.92
Photoelectric:
PETistarite = 11.59 barns/electron U=PETistarite x rElectron Density= 33.16 barns/cc.
Radioactivity:
GRapi = 0 (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units) Tistarite is Not Radioactive