Difference between revisions of "Spodumene"
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A transparent to translucent colored [[gemstone|gemstone]]. Spodumene is composed of lithium aluminum silicate. It can occur as a colorless, gray, green (hiddenite), yellow, pink (kunzite), lavender, or gray crystals. Spudomenes are only found in granite pegmatites. They are mined in Sweden, Ireland, the Malagasy Republic, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. (South Dakota, California, North Carolina). Spudomene is used industrially as a source of [[lithium|lithium]]. It is also used in the manufacture of [[ceramic|Ceramics]], [[enamel, inorganic|Enamel]], and [[glass|glass]]. It undergoes an irreversible expansion from its alpha to beta form at 900C. | A transparent to translucent colored [[gemstone|gemstone]]. Spodumene is composed of lithium aluminum silicate. It can occur as a colorless, gray, green (hiddenite), yellow, pink (kunzite), lavender, or gray crystals. Spudomenes are only found in granite pegmatites. They are mined in Sweden, Ireland, the Malagasy Republic, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. (South Dakota, California, North Carolina). Spudomene is used industrially as a source of [[lithium|lithium]]. It is also used in the manufacture of [[ceramic|Ceramics]], [[enamel, inorganic|Enamel]], and [[glass|glass]]. It undergoes an irreversible expansion from its alpha to beta form at 900C. | ||
| − | + | [[File:Spodumee IR-ATR RRUFF R040050.png|thumb|Infrared spectrum of spodumene from [https://rruff.info/spodumene/display=default/R040050 RRUFF]]] | |
| + | [[File:Spodumee Raman RRUFF R040050.png|thumb|Raman spectrum of spodumene from [https://rruff.info/spodumene/display=default/R040050 RRUFF]]] | ||
== Synonyms and Related Terms == | == Synonyms and Related Terms == | ||
| − | hiddenite (green); kunzite (pink to lavender); triphane; Kunzit, Spodumen (Deut.); espodúmeno (Esp.); spodumen (Pol.); espodumena (Port.); spodumen (Ned.); spudomene (sp.) | + | hiddenite (green); kunzite (pink to lavender); triphane; Kunzit, Spodumen (Deut.); espodúmeno (Esp.); spodumen (Pol.); espodumena (Port.); spodumen (Ned.); spudomene (sp.) |
== Physical and Chemical Properties == | == Physical and Chemical Properties == | ||
| − | * Monoclinic system with flat, prismatic, striated crystals | + | * Monoclinic system with flat, prismatic, striated crystals |
| − | * Cleavage is good in | + | * Cleavage is good in two directions (87 degrees) |
| − | * Fracture = uneven and splintery | + | * Fracture = uneven and splintery |
| − | * Luster = vitreous to pearly | + | * Luster = vitreous to pearly |
| − | * Streak = white | + | * Streak = white |
| + | * Fluorescence = inert (spodumene); strong pink to orange in LW (kunzite) | ||
| + | * Pleochroism = moderate to strong in kunzite; pink, light purple and colorless | ||
| + | * Inclusions = may have growth tubes or trapped liquid | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| Line 25: | Line 29: | ||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| Density | ! scope="row"| Density | ||
| − | | 3. | + | | 3.03 - 3.23 g/ml |
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| Refractive Index | ! scope="row"| Refractive Index | ||
| 1.648 - 1.679 | | 1.648 - 1.679 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | ! scope="row"| Birefringence | ||
| + | | 0.014 - 0.016 | ||
|} | |} | ||
== Resources and Citations == | == Resources and Citations == | ||
| − | + | * Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016. | |
* Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Spodumene.shtml Spodumene] | * Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Spodumene.shtml Spodumene] | ||
| − | |||
* Richard S. Lewis, ''Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary'', Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993 | * Richard S. Lewis, ''Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary'', Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993 | ||
| − | |||
* Robert Fournier, ''Illustrated Dictionary of Practical Pottery'', Chilton Book Company, Radnor, PA, 1992 | * Robert Fournier, ''Illustrated Dictionary of Practical Pottery'', Chilton Book Company, Radnor, PA, 1992 | ||
| − | |||
* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com Comment: "spodumene" [Accessed December 4, 2001]. (tech info) | * ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com Comment: "spodumene" [Accessed December 4, 2001]. (tech info) | ||
| − | |||
* C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, ''Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979 | * C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, ''Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979 | ||
| − | + | * Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spodumene Spodumene] (Accessed Sept. 17, 2005 and Dec 2022) | |
| − | * Wikipedia: | ||
| − | |||
* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976 | * ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976 | ||
| − | |||
* Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997 | * Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997 | ||
| − | |||
* ''The American Heritage Dictionary'' or ''Encarta'', via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998 | * ''The American Heritage Dictionary'' or ''Encarta'', via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998 | ||
Latest revision as of 10:50, 4 January 2023
Description
A transparent to translucent colored Gemstone. Spodumene is composed of lithium aluminum silicate. It can occur as a colorless, gray, green (hiddenite), yellow, pink (kunzite), lavender, or gray crystals. Spudomenes are only found in granite pegmatites. They are mined in Sweden, Ireland, the Malagasy Republic, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. (South Dakota, California, North Carolina). Spudomene is used industrially as a source of Lithium. It is also used in the manufacture of Ceramics, Enamel, and Glass. It undergoes an irreversible expansion from its alpha to beta form at 900C.
Infrared spectrum of spodumene from RRUFF
Raman spectrum of spodumene from RRUFF
Synonyms and Related Terms
hiddenite (green); kunzite (pink to lavender); triphane; Kunzit, Spodumen (Deut.); espodúmeno (Esp.); spodumen (Pol.); espodumena (Port.); spodumen (Ned.); spudomene (sp.)
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Monoclinic system with flat, prismatic, striated crystals
- Cleavage is good in two directions (87 degrees)
- Fracture = uneven and splintery
- Luster = vitreous to pearly
- Streak = white
- Fluorescence = inert (spodumene); strong pink to orange in LW (kunzite)
- Pleochroism = moderate to strong in kunzite; pink, light purple and colorless
- Inclusions = may have growth tubes or trapped liquid
| Composition | LiAlSi2O6 |
|---|---|
| Mohs Hardness | 6.5 - 7.0 |
| Density | 3.03 - 3.23 g/ml |
| Refractive Index | 1.648 - 1.679 |
| Birefringence | 0.014 - 0.016 |
Resources and Citations
- Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016.
- Mineralogy Database: Spodumene
- Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
- Robert Fournier, Illustrated Dictionary of Practical Pottery, Chilton Book Company, Radnor, PA, 1992
- Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "spodumene" [Accessed December 4, 2001]. (tech info)
- C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
- Wikipedia: Spodumene (Accessed Sept. 17, 2005 and Dec 2022)
- Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
- Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
- The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998