Enstatite
| Colour | Brown, Green |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 5 to 6 |
| Lustre | Vitreous, pearly on cleavage |
| Streak | Gray |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Transparency | Translucent to opaque |
| Cleavage | Good/distinct on [210] |
| Fracture | Uneven |
| Chemical formula | MgSiO 3 |
| Specific gravity | 3.2–3.3 |
What is Enstatite?
Enstatite is a mineral; the magnesium endmember of the pyroxene silicate mineral series enstatite (MgSiO3) – ferrosilite (FeSiO3). The magnesium rich members of the solid solution series are common rock-forming minerals found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. The intermediate composition, (Mg,Fe)SiO3, has historically been known as hypersthene, although this name has been formally abandoned and replaced by orthopyroxene. When determined petrographically or chemically the composition is given as relative proportions of enstatite (En) and ferrosilite (Fs) (e.g., En80Fs20).
How to identify Enstatite
- Lustre: Vitreous, pearly on cleavage.
- Hardness: Mohs 5 to 6 — about as hard as a steel knife.
- Streak: Gray.
- Habit: Orthorhombic crystal system.
Enstatite in different forms
Stones often confused with Enstatite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Enstatite?
Enstatite is Mohs 5 to 6 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Enstatite?
Enstatite is typically brown, green (White, grey, green, yellow or brown - colorless in thin section).