Spodumene

About

Spodumene

Spodumene, a pyroxene mineral made of the lithium aluminum inosilicate LiAl(SiO3)2, is a significant source of lithium for industry. It manifests as prismatic crystals that range in color from colorless to yellowish, purple, or lilac kunzite (see below), as well as yellowish-green or emerald-green hiddenite. Single crystals measuring 14.3 m (47 ft) in length have been found in South Dakota's Black Hills. The monoclinic system is present in the naturally occurring low-temperature form of -spodumene, and the tetragonal system is present in the high-temperature form. At temperatures more than 900 °C, -spodumene transforms into -spodumene. Usually, the primary axis of crystals is strongly striated. Triangle-shaped marks are frequently etched and pitted onto crystal faces. The first description of sporumene was made in 1800 for an instance in the type locality in Utö, Södermanland.

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