Enstatite
Tanzania
7.51 carats
© Rarestone.com
Clear transparent specimens can be faceted. Greenish-gray enstatite cat's eye ans star enstatite are known.
Enstatite has been identified in some meteorites. It is thought to be one of the early stages for the formation of crystalline silicates in Space.
Enstatite Gemstones by Colour
This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 |  |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |  |
Enstatite Gemstones by Size
This table shows distribution of Enstatite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.58 cts
Heaviest:26.54 cts
Average:4.59 cts
Total photos:25
Do you have a larger Enstatite? Why not upload a photo?
| General Information | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varieties/Types: | Bronzite - A green-brown iron-rich variety of Enstatite. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Chemical Formula |
| |||||||||||||||||||
| Physical Properties of Enstatite | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 5.5, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||
| Specific Gravity | 3.20 to 3.25, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cleavage Quality | Good, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fracture | Conchoidal, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Properties of Enstatite | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Refractive Index | 1.650 to 1.680, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Character | Biaxial/+, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||
| Birefringence | 0.009 to 0.012, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||
| Pleochroism | Brown variety has strong trichroism: pinkish red to brown - yellow - green; Green variety - distinct: yellow-green - green, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||
| Dispersion | Little to none, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||
| Chatoyancy | Star 4, rarely 8. Black star: fuzzy rays, bronze color sheen, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Colour | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Colour (General) | Green, yellowish-green, brownish-green, greenish-gray, yellow-brown, brownish-pink, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||
| Causes of Colour | Greenish brown, Fe2+. Green, Fe2+ with minor Cr3+, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Transparency | Transparent,Translucent,Opaque, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lustre | Vitreous,Pearly, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fluorescence & other light emissions | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fluorescence (General) | None, Gemstones of the world (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Crystallography of Enstatite | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystal System | Orthorhombic, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||
| Habit | Prismatic, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||
| Geological Environment | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Where found: | Enstatite occurs in pyroxenites, peridotites and dunites and in ultramafic inclusions in alkalic olivine basalts and kimberlite and in several other contexts., Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Spectrographic Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Calculated Spectra: Click spectra for more information | Enstatite - Locality: Unknown Enstatite - Locality: Mogok, Burma Enstatite - Locality: Mogok, Burma Enstatite - Locality: Mogok, Burma Enstatite - Locality: Burma Enstatite - Locality: Tanzania | |||||||||||||||||||
| Further Information | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mineral information: | Enstatite information at mindat.org | |||||||||||||||||||
| Significant Gem Localities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||