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Enstatite


Properties
Chemical Composition: 
Silicate of Magnesium and Iron - (Mg,Fe)SiO3. Increasing iron content changes into Hypersthene.
Classification / Type: 
Enstatite belongs to the orthopyroxene group. Of gem interest are enstatite, bronzite, hypersthene (increasing iron content) and the intermediate series. As a result there is a variation in properties, with higher values for stones with higher iron content.
Colors / Varieties: 
  • Colorless, green, brownish green, yellowish green, brown, gray.
  • Chatoyant and 6-Ray Star.
  • Bronzite: a variety of enstatite - hypersthene, brown with fibrous inclusions.
Crystal System / Forms: 
Orthorhombic System / Prismatic crystals; twinning is common.
Hardness: 
5 - 6 (Enstatite - Hypersthene)
Specific Gravity: 
  • Enstatite: 3.20 - 3.30
  • Hypersthene: 3.40 - 3.50
Cleavage / Fracture: 
Distinct 2 directional prismatic cleavage; parting / Uneven fracture.
Optic Character: 
  • Enstatite: Biaxial positive
  • Hypersthene: Biaxial negative
Lustre: 
Vitreous
Refractive Index / Birefringence: 
  • Enstatite: 1.663 - 1.673 / 0.010
  • Hypersthene: 1.673 - 1.683 and 1.715 - 1.731
Pleochroism: 
Moderate: green / yellowish green / brownish green
Dispersion: 
-
Magnification: 
Parting planes and cleavage cracks, liquid fingerprints and crystal inclusions.
U.V. Fluorescence: 
Inert.
Spectrum: 
Strong lines at 505nm, 550nm, 483nm, 459nm, 449nm, 425nm.
Cause of Color: 
Iron (increasing iron content changes into hypersthene)
Treatment (Enhancement): 
-
Specific Tests & Remarks: 
-
Synthesis: 
-
Simulants (with key separation tests): 
Diopside (R.I., birefringence), Kornerupine (spectrum, pleochroism), Sillimanite (R.I., birefringence, spectrum), Moldavite (optic character).
Geological Occurrence: 
Common in basic and ultrabasic rocks and metamorphic rocks.
Sources: 
Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India, South Africa, Tanzania, U.S.A., Norway, Greenland.
Cuts & Uses: 
Facetted cuts, cabochons, beads, etc.
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