Ankerite is a
calcium,
iron,
magnesium,
manganese carbonate mineral of the group of rhombohedral carbonates with formula: Ca(Fe,Mg,Mn)(CO
3)
2. In composition it is closely related to
dolomite, but differs from this in having magnesium replaced by varying amounts of iron(II) and manganese. Forms series with dolomite and
kutnohorite. The crystallographic and physical characters resemble those of
dolomite and
siderite. The angle between the perfect rhombohedral cleavages is 73° 48', the
hardness is 3.5 to 4, and the
specific gravity is 2.9 to 3.1. The color is white, grey or reddish to yellowish brown.