Chromite: Gemstones Information

Chromite is Fe2Cr2O4 and provides translucent to opaque material in a lustrous black which has sometimes been fashioned as cabochons. The crystal system is cubic and the masses finely granular with hardness 5.5 and SG 4.5–4.8. The lustre is submetallic to metallic and the RI 2.08–2.16.Chromite occurs in olivine-rich igneous rocks. Distribution is wide-spread and there is no obvious place of origin for the odd cabochon.