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Chemical Formula | (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe2+,Fe3+,Al)Si2O6 |
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Composition | A silicate of calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, and aluminum |
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Color | Light to dark green |
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Streak | White to light green |
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Hardness | 5 - 6 |
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Crystal Forms and Aggregates |
(Monoclinic) Occurs as prismatic or equant crystals with a square cross-section. Also occurs grainy and massive. |
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Transparency | Translucent in thin splinters |
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Specific Gravity | 3.3 - 3.4 |
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Luster | Vitreous, dull |
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Cleavage | 1,2 - prismatic at cleavage angles of 87º and 93º (characteristic of minerals in the pyroxene group). |
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Fracture | Uneven |
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Tenacity | Brittle |
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In Group | Silicates ; Inosilicates ; Pyroxene group |
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Striking Features | Crystal forms, cleavage habits, and environments |
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Popularity (1-4) | 4 |
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Prevalence (1-3) | 3 |
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Demand (1-3) | 3 |
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Distinguishing Similar Minerals |
Difficult to distinguish from Pyroxenes such as Augite, Enstatite, Hedenbergite, etc. |
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Commonly Occurs With |
Quartz, Biotite, Muscovite, Garnet |
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Noteworthy Localities |
Found in Val d'Osta (Osta Valley) and Ivrea, Italy; Hof, Bayreuth, Germany; Koralpe, Austrial; Hareidland, Sunmore, Norway; and Besshi, Japan. |
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Picture Icon Links |
Sorry. No Images currently available. |
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Picture Links | Sorry. No Images currently available. |
