SpodumeneChemistry: LiAlSi2 O6, Lithium Aluminum Silicate
Class: Silicates
Subclass: Inosilicates
Group: Pyroxenes
Uses: gemstone and ore of lithium.
Specimens Also see variety specimens: <p>
Kunzite Specimens <p>
Hiddenite Specimens <p>
Color is white, colorless, gray, pink, lilac, violet, yellow and green.
Luster is vitreous.
Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is monoclinic; 2/m
Crystal Habits include prismatic, generally flattened and elongated crystals. The termination is usually the two faces of a dome or rounded, curved and faces indisernable. Crystal faces are often pitted and rough. Some crystals of spodumene have been found in record large crystals of more than 12 meters long.
Cleavage is perfect in two direction at close to right angles and a parting direction that breaks diagonally transect one of the cleavage angles and is parallel to the typical flattening of the crystals.
Fracture is splintery due to the cleavage and parting.
Hardness is 6.5 - 7
Specific Gravity is approximately 3.2 (slightly above average)
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals are lepidolite, plagioclase feldspars, quartz, tourmaline and topaz.
Other Characteristics: index of refraction is 1.66, prism faces are deeply striated lengthwise and clear colorful varieties show strong pleochroic color intensity variation when a crystal is viewed from the top or bottom then from other directions.
Notable Occurrences include California, North Carolina and South Dakota, USA; Afganistan; Pakistan; Brazil and Madagascar.
Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, striated prisms, color, fracture and cleavage
Spodumene ( non in mia collezione ma vendita ) - Afghanistan
25,12 KBSpodumene, variet? Kunzite - Brasile ( foto orribile )
18,75 KB(C) Chinellato Matteo cubo = 1 cm.
