Spodumene
Nuristan, Afghanistan

This specimen is a well formed, gemmy, golden yellow crystal from Afghanistan. The crystal measures 29cm x 8cm x 8cm.




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

     Large monoclinic crystals are found in lithium bearing pegmatites and are mined as a major ore of lithium.

Photo by Mary Sutherland


Descriptions taken from
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals