:About enstatite
Enstatite, with the chemical formula Mg2(SiO6), is a very rare and soft gemstone, and for this reason, it has attracted the attention of gemstone collectors. However, it may be used in a limited way in making jewelry such as earrings, pendants and other models. This stone belongs to a very large group of minerals called peroxyn. Pure enstatite is transparent and colorless and is very rare. In general, this stone has a brown-green color and looks a little opaque due to iron impurities. Cat’s eye and star enstatite species are also very rare and are seen in green-gray color. Enstatite sources are located in countries such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Myanmar, East Africa, South Africa, Sri Lanka and America. In terms of appearance, stones such as andalusite, idocrase, sphalerite and brown zircon may be confused with enstatite
Enstatite is a rare gem that belongs to the pyroxene group of minerals
This stone was first discovered in 1855 by G.A. Congate was identified and its unusual name is derived from Greek words meaning resistant, which refers to its high melting point
The mineral enstatite is more common, but gem crystals are very rare
Enstatite is one of the less familiar types of gemstones and is kept in private collections due to its rarity
In its purest form, enstatite is very clear and colorless
Its brown-green color and its dullness are due to iron impurity
Some enstatite gemstones may be composed of hematite and goethite
Iron oxide impurities cause bronze color and metallic transparency
Enstatite may be found in the form of three stars due to its needle impurities
:Identification of enstatitis
Enstatite is a member of the proxy group of minerals and includes other types of gemstones
In terms of composition, enstatite is magnesium silicate
In some cases, iron replaces most of its magnesium
If a large percentage of its magnesium composition is replaced by iron, the gemstone should be classified as hypersteine
Enstatite has a hardness of 5.5 on the Mohs scale and a density of 3.2 to 3.3
This stone is multi-colored and highly brittle
The luster of enstatite is due to the presence of hematite and metallic goethite inclusions
Although most enstatite is green-brown, star enstatite and cat’s eye are usually green-gray in color
:Originality and sources of enstatite
Enstatite is very common as a mineral, but rare in its clear, gem-quality form
This mineral is found in meteorites along with olivine
Some notable sources for enstatite are in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Myanmar/Burma, East Africa, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the United States
Enstatite color
Enstatite gemstones vary in color from brown-green to colorless or slightly yellow
Bronzite is an iron type of enstatite, which is known for its green to dark brown color and semi-metallic transparency
South African chrome enstatite is emerald green to dark green in color due to its high chromium content
Cat’s eye and star enstatitis is usually gray-green in color. Pure enstatite is colorless and very rare
:Clarity and brilliance of enstatite
Enstatite can range from shiny to opaque. The best materials are the most transparent
Enstatite contains materials such as iron oxides such as hematite and goethite
These materials make the transparency semi-metallic. Most stones acquire a glassy clarity after polishing. Stellate enstatitis and cat’s eye are very rare.
Enstatite cut and shape
Enstatite is most commonly found in carved, cut or beaded form and is rarely polished because of its prismatic refractibility
Cat eye and star enstatite are shaved to reveal the effects of light refraction
The most common and popular shapes include oval, circle, cushion and octagon
High quality shapes like trillion and heart are very rare
Enstatite preparation
There is no method for preparing and modifying enstatite
:Chemical properties of enstatite
Chemical formula: Mg2[SiO6]- magnesium silicate
Crystal structure: orthorhombic, prismatic
Color: brown-green, green, yellow, colorless
Hardness: 5.5 on the Mohs scale
Refractive index: 1.650 to 1.680
Density: 3.20 to 3.30
Defeatability: Good
Transparency: transparent to opaque
Birefringence: 0.009 to 0.012
Luster: glassy
Sheb Tabi: No
Gems similar to enstatite
Enstatite belongs to the very large group of peroxyne minerals
Other proxine gemstones include diposide, jadeite, rhodonite, spadomine, kunzite, and hedinite
Some types of enstatite gemstones include bronzite and chrome enstatites
Bronzite may have a variable luster when polished, giving a cat’s eye or star effect
You may confuse enstatite with other types of gemstones such as andalusite, cornephrine, idocrase, sphalerite, and brown zircon
