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Enstatite
Current inventory:  0 gems
 

Chemistry:  Mg₂Si₂O₆

Discovered in 1855;   IMA status: Valid (pre-IMA; Grandfathered).
Enstatite is named for the Greek word enstates meaning an opponent because of its high melting point.

Classification

Mineral Classification:

Silicates

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

8/F.02-10

Nickel-Strunz 10th Ed. ID:

9.AD.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
A : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si₂O₆; pyroxene family
05 : Enstatite Group; Enstatite-Ferrosilite Series

Crystal Data

Crystallography:

Orthorhombic - Dipyramidal

Crystal Habit:

Crystals prismatic, to 40 cm; commonly lamellar, fibrous, or massive.

Twinning:

Simple and lamellar twinning

Physical Properties

Cleavage:

[210] Distinct, [010] Distinct

Fracture:

Irregular/Uneven

Tenacity:

Brittle

Hardness (Mohs):

5.0 - 6.0

Density:

3.20 - 3.30 (g/cm³)

Luminescence:

None

Radioactivity:

Not Radioactive

Optical Properties

Color:

White, Grayish, Yellowish, Greenish, Olive-Green, Brown

Transparency:

Transparent, Translucent, Opaque

Luster:

Vitreous, Pearly

Refractive Index:

1.649 - 1.680  Biaxial ( + )

Birefringence:

0.0090 - 0.0110

Dispersion:

Weak, r < v

Pleochroism:

None

Occurances

Geological Setting:

In pyroxenites, peridotites, and dunites; in ultramafic inclusions in alkalic olivine basalts and kimberlite; in mafic volcanics, rarely in felsic volcanics. Characteristic of charnockites and the granulite metamorphic facies, in regionally metamorphosed rocks and metagabbros. Common in chondrite, achondrite, and stony-iron meteorites.

Type Locality:

n/a

Year Discovered:

1855

View mineral photos:

Enstatite Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org
Webmineral.com

Enstatite is a member of the Orthopyroxene Group that also includes Bronzite and Hypersthene. It is found as colorless, gray, green, yellow and brown crystals. Enstatite is closely related to Bronzite which has slightly more iron content than Enstatite and is, as the name implies, a beautiful bronze color and has sub-adamantine luster. A very dark green to black Enstatite cat's eye is also available and a chrome green Enstatite is rarely found.

Enstatite is found in many locations worldwide but only a few produce gem quality crystals. Two of the best known locations are Embilipituya, Sri Lanka and Mbeya, Tanzania. Enstatite is also commonly found in stony and iron meteorites.
 

  
Enstatite gems for sale:

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