Spodumene (Var. Kunzite)
Mawi
Lagham Province, Afghanistan
This specimen measures 11cm x 4cm
Spodumene LiAlSi2O6
Inosilicates; lithium aluminum silicate; pyroxene group
Color and Luster: White, gray, yellowish, emerald-green(Var. hiddenite), pink to purple(Var. kunzite); vitreous, pearly; streak white
Hardness: 6.5-7
Cleavage: Good, two directions lengthwise at nearly right angles; parting frequently, prominent in one direction bisecting larger cleavage angle
Fracture: Uneven, splintery
Crystals: Monoclinic; mostly lathlike flattened crystals with deep grooves parallel to the elongation; also cleavage masses, columnar
Photo by Mary Sutherland
Descriptions taken from
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals