Pyroxene

Pyroxene

Pyroxene is derived from the Ancient Greek πῦρ, pur and ξένος, xenos ("fire" and "strange"). This name was given in 1796 by Rene Just Haüy. This is due to the occurrence in volcanic lavas where pyroxenes are sometimes embedded as crystals in the surrounding volcanic glass.

It was supposed to be imperfections in the glass, hence the name "fire strangers". However, they are early-forming minerals that according to the Bowen reaction series have already crystallized before the magma reaches the surface of the earth (and from then on is called lava). In this way the pyroxene crystals "float" in the melt that forms the volcanic glass, or obsidian by rapid cooling.

Data

Formula (NaCa) (Mg, Fe, Al) (Al, Si) 2O6
Color Usually dark green, dark brown or black, some variétés are white - light green
Gloss Glassy of Metallic
Hardness 5.5
Specific Gravity 3.2 to 3.5 This is average, the specific weight increases with the iron content
Crystal System Monoclinic, Orthorhombic
Transparency
Location Pyroxene occurs in all mafic igneous rocks, in mantle rocks such as peridotite and serpentinite.

Pyroxene is an important silicate group in magmatic and metamorphic rocks. Characteristic is a structure of some silica chains in tetrahedra; inosilicate. According to the crystal system, there are two types of Pyroxenes:

Clinopyroxenes: crystallize in the monoclinic system and Orthopyroxenes: crystallize in the orthorhombic system.

The Pyroxene Group includes: Diopside, Jadeite, Enstation & Spodumene

If in stock you will find my collection of Raw Gemstones within this group below.

Are you looking for cut Gemstones from the Pyroxene Group then look at PYROXEN GROUP

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