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Chemical Formula | CaFeSi2O6 |
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Composition | Calcium magnesium silicate, usually with some magnesium |
| Variable Formula | Ca(Fe,Mg)Si2O6 | |
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Color | Green to dark green, brownish-green, brown, gray, black |
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Streak | Colorless to light green |
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Hardness | 5 - 6 |
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Crystal Forms and Aggregates |
(Monoclinic) Crystals, which are quite rare, are stubby and prismatic, and have a rectangular cross section. Very rarely occurs in elongated crystals. Also occurs grainy, columnar, acicular, massive, radiating, and fibrous. |
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Transparency | Opaque. Translucent in thin splinters. |
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Specific Gravity | 3.3 - 3.6 |
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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). May also exhibit parting in one direction. |
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Fracture | Uneven, splintery |
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Tenacity | Brittle |
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In Group | Silicates ; Inosilicates ; Pyroxene group |
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All About | Hedenbergite forms a series with Diopside, and may be partially replaced by it. Hedenbergite usually contains a slight amount of magnesium. Pure, magnesium-free Hedenbergite is rather uncommon. Large crystals of this mineral are rare and highly sought after. |
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Uses | Hedenbergite crystals are rare and in demand by mineral collectors |
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Striking Features | Color, cleavage angles, and mineral associations |
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Popularity (1-4) | 2 |
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Prevalence (1-3) | 2 |
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Demand (1-3) | 2 |
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Distinguishing Similar Minerals |
Epidote - different
cleavage, usually heavily striated Enstatite - very difficult to distinguish Augite - very difficult to distinguish Diopside - usually lighter in color |
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Commonly Occurs With |
Wollastonite, Grossular, Andradite, Vesuvianite, Actinolite, Ilvaite, Magnetite, Calcite |
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Noteworthy Localities |
Localities where collectible specimens are found are few. Fibrous and radiating aggregates occur in Italy in Livorno and on the Island of Elba. Also found in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia; Obira, Japan; Arendal, Norway; Nordmark, Sweden; and Ilimaussaq, Greenland. In the U.S., it occurs in Fresno Co., California; Franklin, Sussex Co., New Jersey; and Warwick, Orange Co., New York. |
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Picture Icon Links |
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Picture Links | Sorry. No Images currently available. |
