About Enstatite
A magnesium inosilicate, an orthopyroxene, often greenish-brown to brown. Bronzite is an altered, chatoyant variety. It's a grounding stone that encourages chivalry, courtesy, and overcoming shyness.
Primary Hues
Greenish-White, Greyish, Yellowish, Brownish, Green, rarely Lilac
Geological & Scientific Details
Enstatite is classified as a inosilicate mineral which typically crystallizes in the orthorhombic system. Its chemical formula is MgSiO3. Common crystal habits include prismatic crystals, commonly lamellar, fibrous, or massive.
Key Geological Properties:
- Mineral Category: Inosilicate
- Chemical Formula: MgSiO3
- IMA Symbol: En[1]
- Crystal System: Orthorhombic
- Formula Mass (g/mol): 100.387 g·mol−1
- Predominant Geological Color: White, grey, green, yellow or brown - colorless in thin section.
- Crystal Habit: Prismatic crystals, commonly lamellar, fibrous, or massive
- Twinning: Simple and lamellar on [100]
- Cleavage: Good/distinct on [210]
- Luster: Vitreous, pearly on cleavage
- Streak: Gray
- Diaphaneity: Translucent to opaque
Associated Minerals
- Bronzite
- Hypersthene
- Pyroxene
- Ferrosilite
- Diopside
- Augite
- Olivine
- Feldspar
- Chromite