a mineral of the nesosilicate class, with the composition 2Mg₂[SiO₄]Mg(F, OH)₂. Chondrodite contains admixtures of Fe²⁺ and Mn. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system, but well-formed crystals are rare. It is found in the form of grains embedded in rocks and in the form of granular aggregates. The color is orange, honey, yellow, or red-brown. The hardness on Mohs’ scale is 6.5, and the density is 3,250–3,300 kg/m³. Chondrodite is a typical mineral of contact metasomatic formations. It is widespread in magnesian skarns in association with olivine, diopside, magnetite, and other minerals. It has also been found in calciphyres and carbonatites.