 |
|
|
Hedenbergite forms a series with Diopside, the magnesium equivalent of Hedenbergite, and may be partially replaced by it. Diopside and Hedenbergite can even occur together in a single crystal, with a core of Hedenbergite and outer zone of Diopside. Hedenbergite is often confused and misidentified as both Diopside and Augite. |
|
|
Chemical Formula |
CaFeSi2O6 |
|
Composition |
Calcium magnesium silicate, usually with some magnesium |
| Variable Formula |
Ca(Fe,Mg)Si2O6 |
|
Color |
Green to dark green, brownish-green, brown, gray, black |
|
Streak |
Colorless to light green |
|
Hardness |
5 - 6 |
|
Crystal System |
Monoclinic |
|
|
|
Crystal Forms
and Aggregates |
Crystals are stubby and prismatic, and usually have a rectangular cross section. Elongated crystals are uncommon. Also occurs grainy, columnar, acicular, massive, radiating, and fibrous. May also be in v-shaped penetration twins, and crystals from certain localities have partially hollow etchings. |
|
Transparency |
Opaque. Occassionally translucent. |
|
Specific Gravity |
3.3 - 3.6 |
|
Luster |
Vitreous to dull |
|
Cleavage |
1,2 - prismatic at cleavage angles of 87º and 93º (Characteristic of minerals in the pyroxene group). May also exhibit parting in one direction. |
|
Fracture |
Uneven to splintery |
|
Tenacity |
Brittle |
|
In Group |
Silicates; Inosilicates; Pyroxene Group |
|
Striking Features |
Color, cleavage angles, and mineral associations |
| Environment |
Contact metamorphic rocks in hornfels, and in skarn deposits of hydrothermal metamorphic rock. |
| Rock Type |
Metamorphic |
|
Popularity (1-4)
|
2 |
|
Prevalence (1-3)
|
2 |
|
Demand (1-3) |
2 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Large Hedenbergite crystals are uncommon and of interest to mineral collectors.
|
This mineral is more common than perceived, and is often misidentified as Diopside or Augite. Fibrous and radiating aggregates occur in Italy at Temperino, Campiglia Marittima, in Livorno Province. Dark, lustrous crystals come from Nordmark, Varmland, Sweden; and famous green Quartz with Hedenbergite inclusions in Quartz from Mega Xhorio, Seriphos Island, Greece.
Another locality with excellent Hedenbergite inclusions in Quartz is the Sinerechenskoye deposit, west of Kavalerovo, Primorskij Kraj, Russia, where the Quartz is darker green and forms pointier crystals than the Greek locality. Dal'negorsk, in Primorskij Kraj, Russia has several important deposits containing Hedenbergite. Good crystals, sometimes translucent, come from Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia; and dark lustrous crystals from Tormiq, Haramosh Mountains, Pakistan.
In the U.S., good Hedenbergite crystals come from Franklin, Sussex Co., New Jersey; Warwick, Orange Co., New York; Keene, Essex County, New York; and the Iron Cap Mine, Graham County, Arizona. Aesthetic prismatic crystal groupings of Hedenbergite come from the Laxey Mine, South Mountain, Owyhee Co., Idaho.
|
Epidote - Different cleavage, usually heavily striated.
Enstatite and Augite - Very difficult to distinguish.
Diopside - Usually lighter in color, otherwise cannot be distinguished practically.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have a question about Hedenbergite? Visit our Q&A Community and ask the experts!
|
|
|
|
Let us know how we can update this page
(Click for more details)
|
|
We strive for accurate content and locality information. If you feel any of the content is incorrect, or if you feel we are missing vital locality information, please fill out the form below so we can update the site. If you are requesting a locality be added, please only include significant locality occurences for the mineral.
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
