General Information:
Chemical Formula:
LiAlSi2O6
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 186.09 gm)
Lithium 3.73 % Li
Aluminum 14.50 % Al
Silicon 30.18 % Si
Oxygen 51.59 % O
Empirical Formula:
LiAl(Si2O6)
Environment:
Lithium-bearing granitic pegmatites.
IMA Status:
Approved IMA 1960
Locality:
Pala district, San Diego Co., California.
Name Origin:
Spodumene is from the Greek, spodoumenos, "burnt to ash," alluding to the ashy color of early specimens. Kunzite is named after the American gem expert, G. F. Kunz (1856-1932). Hi ddenite is named after the American mi
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[110] Perfect, [100] Good
Color:
grayish white, pink, violet, emerald green, or yellow.
Density:
3.1 - 3.2, Average = 3.15
Diaphaniety:
Transparent to translucent
Habits:
Bladed - Aggregates of thin lath-like crystals (e.g. kyanite)., Prismatic - Crystals Shaped like Slender Prisms (e.g. tourmaline).,
Hardness:
6.5-7 - Pyrite-Quartz
Luminescence:
Non-fluorescent.
Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak:
white
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