orthorhombic Inosilicates
Enstatite (Prismatic)
Formula MgSiO3
Crystal Structure
#! Species: Enstatite
#! System: Orthorhombic (mmm)
#! Habit: Prismatic orthorhombic
orthorhombic[mmm]:{210}@1.0 + {010}@0.8 + {100}@0.6 + {001}@0.9
orthorhombic
mmm
{210} {010} {100} {001}
Quick Facts
Hardness
5.0
Specific Gravity
3.2
Refractive Index
1.656
Optical Character
Biaxial +
Physical Properties
- Crystal System
- orthorhombic
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 5.0
- Specific Gravity
- 3.2
- Cleavage
- Good {210} at ~88°
- Fracture
- Uneven
- Lustre
- Vitreous to submetallic
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.656
- Birefringence
- 0.01
- Optical Character
- Biaxial +
- Dispersion
- 0.01
- Pleochroism
- moderate: Green / Brownish-green
Characteristics
Colours
Brownish-greenGreenYellow-greenBronze (bronzite)
Localities
MyanmarSri LankaIndiaTanzaniaSouth Africa
Common Inclusions
Metallic platelets (bronzite)Two-phase inclusions
Known Treatments
None commonly applied
Crystal Forms
prismpinacoid
Related Minerals
Other minerals in the orthorhombic system
