Enstatite

Enstatite

Description

A pyroxene mineral composed of magnesium silicate. Enstatite was first described by G.A. Kenngott in 1855. It occurs naturally in metamorphic rocks and meterorites. The mineral is usually a gray, pale green, or brown in color although a gemstone quality emerald green variety occurs rarely. Weathered enstatite can have a metallic luster and is called bronzite. Enstatite can alter to form steatite. Steatite may also be heated to form enstatite.

FTIR (MFA)

IR-ATR (RRUFF)

Raman (RRUFF)

Raman (RASMIN)

Synonyms and Related Terms

bronzite; Enstatit (Deut.); enstatiet (Ned.)

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Orthorhombic crystal system with prismatic crystals commonly lamellar, fibrous or massive
• Cleavage = distinct in two directions
• Fracture = uneven
• Luster = vitreous to pearly
• Streak = gray
• Fluorescence = inert
• Pleochroism = weak to strong; pink to green; green to yellowish green; or brown to yellow

Composition	MgSiO3
Mohs Hardness	5 - 6
Density	3.21-3.96 g/ml
Refractive Index	1.650-1.679
Birefringence	0.008 - 0.11

Resources and Citations

• Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016.
• Wikipedia: Enstatite (Accessed Nov. 2, 2005 and Dec 2022)
• Minerals.net: Enstatite