igneous
Indigo Gabbro
Gabbro (Mafic Intrusive Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Mottled pattern of black, grey, and violet; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals); Cleavage: Good in two directions (due to feldspar and pyroxene)
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Mottled pattern of black, grey, and violet
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Mottled pattern of black, grey, and violet; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals); Cleavage: Good in two directions (due to feldspar and pyroxene)
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of magnesium-rich and iron-rich magma deep within the Earth's crust (plutonic). It is typically of various geological ages depending on the specific deposit location.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as a decorative stone, semi-precious gemstone for jewelry, polished eggs or spheres for collectors, and occasionally used as a durable building material (dimension stone).
Geological facts
This specific trade name 'Indigo Gabbro' or 'Mystic Merlinite' refers to a unique variety found in Madagascar that displays subtle violet hues when polished and under bright light.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic mottling and phaneritic texture. It is denser than granite. Commonly found in Madagascar, North America, and various oceanic crustal formations.
