galaxite

{{infobox mineral | name = Galaxite | category = Oxide minerals Spinel group Normal Spinel structural group | image = Galaxite-Jacobsite-Wiserite-697074.jpg | alt = | caption = Galaxite from the Kaso mine, Japan | formula = | IMAsymbol = Glx | molweight = | strunz = 4.BB.05 | dana = | system = Cubic | class = Hexoctahedral (mm) H-M symbol: (4/m 2/m) | symmetry = Fdm (no. 227) | unit cell = a = 8.271 Å; Z = 8 | color = Black, red-brown, red to yellow | colour = | habit = Octahedra and rounded grains and exolution blebs | twinning = Spinel law with {111} as both twin and composition plane | cleavage = Indistinct to none | fracture = Conchoidal to irregular | tenacity = Brittle | mohs = 7.5 | luster = Vitreous | streak = Red-brown | diaphaneity = Opaque; may be translucent in thin section | gravity = 4.234 | density = | polish = | opticalprop = Isotropic | refractive = n = 1.923 | birefringence = | pleochroism = | 2V = | dispersion = | extinction = | length fast/slow = | fluorescence = | absorption = | melt = | fusibility = | diagnostic = | solubility = | impurities = | alteration = | other = weakly to moderately magnetic | prop1 = | prop1text = | references = }} Galaxite, also known as 'mangan-spinel' is an isometric mineral belonging to the spinel group of oxides with the ideal chemical formula {{chem2|Mn^{2+}Al2O4}}. It is sometimes used as a gemstone.

==Occurrence== It was first described in 1932 for an occurrence at Bald Knob, Alleghany County, North Carolina near its namesakes, the town of Galax, Virginia, named after the plant galax or wandflower which grows in the area.