Spodumene Composition, Crystallization & Structure
Composition. Lithium-aluminum metasilicate, LiA(SiO3)2 = Silica 64.5, alumina 27.4 lithia 8.4. Usually has a small amount of sodium replacing the lithium.
Crystallization. Monoclinic. Prismatic crystals flattened frequently parallel to the orthopinacoid. Deeply striated vertically (see Fig. B, pl. X). Crystals usually coarse and with roughened faces, Sometimes very large.
Structure. In Crystals or cleavable masses.
Physical Properties. Perfect prismatic cleavage . H. = 6.5-7. G. = 3.18. Vitreous luster. Color White, Gray, pink, yellow, green. Transparent to translucent when unaltered.
Tests. Fusible at 3.5, throwing out fine branches at first, and then fusing to a clear glass. Gives a crimson flame (lithium). Insoluble in acids.
Varieties. Ordinary. Color white or gray, sometimes pink. Commonly in flattened prismatic crystals, often very large. Frequently altered to other mineral.
- Hiddenite. A clear, transparent variety ranging in color from yellow – green to deep emerald. Found in small striated and etched crystals.
- Kunzite. A transparent variety ranging from pale pink to deep amethystine purple. Has been found in flattened crystals 8 to 10 inches in length, 5 to 6 in breadth.
Alteration. Spodumene very easily alters to other species, becoming dull and opaque. The alteration products include albite, eucryptite (LiAlSiO4) muscovite, microcline.
Occurrence. A comparatively rare species, but found occasionally in very large crystals in pegmatite veins. Occurs in Goshen, Chester-field , Huntington and Sterling, Massachusetts; Branchville, Connecticut; Etta tin mine, Pennington County South Dakota, in crystals measuring many feet in length. Hiddinite occurs with emerald beryl at Stony Point, Alexander County, North Carolina. Kunzite is found with pink beryl in San Diego County, California. Occurs at various localities in Madagascar.
Names. Spodumene comes from a Greek word meaning ash colored. Hiddenite is named for Mr. W. E. Hidden; kunzite for Dr. G. F. Kunz.
Use. The varieties hiddenite and kunzite furnish very beautiful gem stones but are limited in their occurrence.
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