Graphite
Fun Fact: It was used thousands of years ago as a crayon.
Introduction: The Greeks used graphite as a crayon thousands of years ago and called it graphein, meaning 'to write'. Platy crystals are usually black to silvery-black. The main use is for pencil lead as well as brake linings, batteries, refractory bricks and carbon brushes.
Distribution: The metamorphic rocks 20km south-west of Otjiwarongo contain small flakes of graphite. A graphite mine did operate 60km east of Aus.
Composition: Native element
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Lustre: Metallic, dull, earthy
Streak: Black
Hardness: 1-2
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