Enstatite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Enstatite
Formula:
Mg2Si2O6
Simplified: MgSiO3.
Colour:
White, yellowish green, brown, greenish white or grey, olive-green
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
5 - 6
Specific Gravity:
3.2 - 3.9
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
From the Greek enstates - "opponent" for refractory nature under blowpipe flame.
Polymorph of:
Visit gemdat.org for Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1384
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1384:6
IMA Classification of Enstatite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
MgSiO3
Classification of Enstatite
9.DA.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
A : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si2O6; pyroxene family
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
A : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si2O6; pyroxene family
65.1.2.1
65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
1 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P=2
65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
1 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P=2
14.4.2
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
4 : Silicates of Mg
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
4 : Silicates of Mg
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| En | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| En | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
| En | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
| En | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
| En | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Enstatite
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Comment:
Pearly on cleavage
Colour:
White, yellowish green, brown, greenish white or grey, olive-green
Streak:
Grey to white
Hardness:
5 - 6 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on {210}
Good on {210}
Parting:
on {100} and {010}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.2 - 3.9 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.189 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Enstatite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.65 - 1.668 nβ = 1.652 - 1.673 nγ = 1.659 - 1.679
2V:
Measured: 54° to 90°, Calculated: 58° to 86°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.009 - 0.011
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r < v weak
Chemistry of Enstatite
Mindat Formula:
Mg2Si2O6
Simplified: MgSiO3.
Simplified: MgSiO3.
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Fe,Ca,Al,Co,Ni,Mn,Ti,Cr,Na,K
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| SiO2 | 50.17 % | 49.61 % |
| TiO2 | 0.2 % | 1.80 % |
| Al2O3 | 5.68 % | 2.43 % |
| FeOt | 20.46 % | |
| MnO | 0.17 % | 0.42 % |
| MgO | 22.48 % | 21.16 % |
| CaO | 0.11 % | 1.29 % |
| Na2O | 0.03 % | 0.47 % |
| Fe2O3 | 0.80 % | |
| FeO | 21.81 % | |
| K2O | 0.45 % | |
| Total: | 99.3 % | 100.24 % |
Empirical formulas:
| Sample ID | Empirical Formula |
|---|---|
| 2 | (Ca0.05Na0.02K0.01)(Mg01.19Fe2+0.69Fe3+0.02Ti0.05Al0.02)(Si1.87Al0.13)O6 |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kosavankovilpatti, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India | Yadav, Roopali; Prakash, Divya; Kumar Rai, Swapnil; K. Yadav, Manoj; Kumar Singh, Pradip; Jaiswal, Srishti (2021) Decompression Textures in Garnet–Cordierite Gneiss from Kosavankovilpatti, Southern India: Constraints from Reaction Textures and Phase Equilibria Modelling. Geologica Carpathica, 72 (4). doi:10.31577/geolcarp.72.4.1 | Orthopyroxene from a granulite facies cordierite-garnet gneiss. EMPA analysis |
| 2 | Mont-Tremblant, Les Laurentides RCM, Laurentides, Québec, Canada | Wet chemical analysis of enstatite ((En₆₀Fs₃₇Wo₃)) from Quartz-feldspar granulite. |
Crystallography of Enstatite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbca
Cell Parameters:
a = 18.23 Å, b = 8.84 Å, c = 5.19 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.062 : 1 : 0.587
Unit Cell V:
836.39 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Prismatic crystals, common forms include {100}, {010}, {100}, {210}, {101}, {111}, {211}; frequently striated // [001]
Twinning:
The often reported "Simple and lamellar twinning on {100}" is no twinning (the symmetry plane is part of the crystal structure). Twinning may be confused with exsolution lamellae.
Crystallographic forms of Enstatite
Crystal Atlas:
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Enstatite no.12 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Enstatite no.67 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0020255 | Enstatite | Jacob D, Palatinus L, Cuvillier P, Leroux H, Domeneghetti C, Camara F (2013) Ordering state in orthopyroxene as determined by precession electron diffraction American Mineralogist 98 1526-1534 | 2013 | Wilson Terrane, North Victoria Land, Antarctica | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020254 | Enstatite | Jacob D, Palatinus L, Cuvillier P, Leroux H, Domeneghetti C, Camara F (2013) Ordering state in orthopyroxene as determined by precession electron diffraction American Mineralogist 98 1526-1534 | 2013 | Wilson Terrane, North Victoria Land, Antarctica | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020253 | Enstatite | Jacob D, Palatinus L, Cuvillier P, Leroux H, Domeneghetti C, Camara F (2013) Ordering state in orthopyroxene as determined by precession electron diffraction American Mineralogist 98 1526-1534 | 2013 | Wilson Terrane, North Victoria Land, Antarctica | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020252 | Enstatite | Jacob D, Palatinus L, Cuvillier P, Leroux H, Domeneghetti C, Camara F (2013) Ordering state in orthopyroxene as determined by precession electron diffraction American Mineralogist 98 1526-1534 | 2013 | Wilson Terrane, North Victoria Land, Antarctica | 0 | 293 | |
| 0004362 | Enstatite | Smyth J R, Mierdel K, Keppler H, Langenhorst F, Dubrovinsky L, Nestola F (2007) Crystal chemistry of hydration in aluminous orthopyroxene American Mineralogist 92 973-976 |  | 2007 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0004153 | Enstatite | Nestola F, Gatta G D, Ballaran T B (2006) The effect of Ca substitution on the elastic and structural behavior of orthoenstatite American Mineralogist 91 809-815 | | 2006 | synthetic sample | 0.0001 | 293 |
| 0006055 | Enstatite | Tribaudino M, Nestola F, Meneghini C (2005) Rietveld refinement of clinopyroxenes with intermediate Ca-content along the join diopside-enstatite The Canadian Mineralogist 43 1411-1421 | | 2005 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0006054 | Enstatite | Tribaudino M, Nestola F, Meneghini C (2005) Rietveld refinement of clinopyroxenes with intermediate Ca-content along the join diopside-enstatite The Canadian Mineralogist 43 1411-1421 | | 2005 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0010680 | Enstatite | Morimoto N, Koto K (1969) The crystal structure of orthoenstatite Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 129 65-83 | | 1969 | Bishopville meteorite | 0 | 293 |
| 0004154 | Enstatite | Nestola F, Gatta G D, Ballaran T B (2006) The effect of Ca substitution on the elastic and structural behavior of orthoenstatite American Mineralogist 91 809-815 | | 2006 | synthetic sample | 1.76 | 293 |
| 0004155 | Enstatite | Nestola F, Gatta G D, Ballaran T B (2006) The effect of Ca substitution on the elastic and structural behavior of orthoenstatite American Mineralogist 91 809-815 | | 2006 | synthetic sample | 3.36 | 293 |
| 0004156 | Enstatite | Nestola F, Gatta G D, Ballaran T B (2006) The effect of Ca substitution on the elastic and structural behavior of orthoenstatite American Mineralogist 91 809-815 | | 2006 | synthetic sample | 3.94 | 293 |
| 0004157 | Enstatite | Nestola F, Gatta G D, Ballaran T B (2006) The effect of Ca substitution on the elastic and structural behavior of orthoenstatite American Mineralogist 91 809-815 | | 2006 | synthetic sample | 6.25 | 293 |
| 0019068 | Enstatite | Zhang J S, Dera P, Bass J D (2012) A new high-pressure phase transition in natural Fe-bearing orthoenstatite American Mineralogist 97 1070-1074 | 2012 | San Carlos, Arizona, USA | 12.66 | 293 | |
| 0019069 | Enstatite | Zhang J S, Dera P, Bass J D (2012) A new high-pressure phase transition in natural Fe-bearing orthoenstatite American Mineralogist 97 1070-1074 | 2012 | San Carlos, Arizona, USA | 14.26 | 293 | |
| 0009068 | Enstatite | Gatta G D, Rinaldi R, Knight K S, Molin G, Artioli G (2007) High temperature structural and thermoelastic behaviour of mantle orthopyroxene: an in situ neutron powder diffraction study Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 185-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0009067 | Enstatite | Gatta G D, Rinaldi R, Knight K S, Molin G, Artioli G (2007) High temperature structural and thermoelastic behaviour of mantle orthopyroxene: an in situ neutron powder diffraction study Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 185-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0009066 | Enstatite | Gatta G D, Rinaldi R, Knight K S, Molin G, Artioli G (2007) High temperature structural and thermoelastic behaviour of mantle orthopyroxene: an in situ neutron powder diffraction study Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 185-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0009065 | Enstatite | Gatta G D, Rinaldi R, Knight K S, Molin G, Artioli G (2007) High temperature structural and thermoelastic behaviour of mantle orthopyroxene: an in situ neutron powder diffraction study Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 185-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0009064 | Enstatite | Gatta G D, Rinaldi R, Knight K S, Molin G, Artioli G (2007) High temperature structural and thermoelastic behaviour of mantle orthopyroxene: an in situ neutron powder diffraction study Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 185-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0009063 | Enstatite | Gatta G D, Rinaldi R, Knight K S, Molin G, Artioli G (2007) High temperature structural and thermoelastic behaviour of mantle orthopyroxene: an in situ neutron powder diffraction study Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 185-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0009062 | Enstatite | Gatta G D, Rinaldi R, Knight K S, Molin G, Artioli G (2007) High temperature structural and thermoelastic behaviour of mantle orthopyroxene: an in situ neutron powder diffraction study Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 185-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0009061 | Enstatite | Gatta G D, Rinaldi R, Knight K S, Molin G, Artioli G (2007) High temperature structural and thermoelastic behaviour of mantle orthopyroxene: an in situ neutron powder diffraction study Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 185-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0009060 | Enstatite | Gatta G D, Rinaldi R, Knight K S, Molin G, Artioli G (2007) High temperature structural and thermoelastic behaviour of mantle orthopyroxene: an in situ neutron powder diffraction study Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 185-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0009059 | Enstatite | Gatta G D, Rinaldi R, Knight K S, Molin G, Artioli G (2007) High temperature structural and thermoelastic behaviour of mantle orthopyroxene: an in situ neutron powder diffraction study Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 185-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0009058 | Enstatite | Gatta G D, Rinaldi R, Knight K S, Molin G, Artioli G (2007) High temperature structural and thermoelastic behaviour of mantle orthopyroxene: an in situ neutron powder diffraction study Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 185-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0009057 | Enstatite | Gatta G D, Rinaldi R, Knight K S, Molin G, Artioli G (2007) High temperature structural and thermoelastic behaviour of mantle orthopyroxene: an in situ neutron powder diffraction study Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 34 185-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0009043 | Enstatite | Camara F, Iezzi G, Tiepolo M, Oberti R (2006) The crstal chemistry of lithium and Fe3+ in synthetic orthopyroxene Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 33 475-483 | 2006 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0009042 | Enstatite | Camara F, Iezzi G, Tiepolo M, Oberti R (2006) The crstal chemistry of lithium and Fe3+ in synthetic orthopyroxene Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 33 475-483 | 2006 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0009041 | Enstatite | Camara F, Iezzi G, Tiepolo M, Oberti R (2006) The crstal chemistry of lithium and Fe3+ in synthetic orthopyroxene Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 33 475-483 | 2006 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0006979 | Enstatite | Nestola F, Tribaudino M (2003) The structure of Pbca orthopyroxenes along the join diopside-enstatite (CaMgSi2O6-Mg2Si2O6) European Journal of Mineralogy 15 365-371 | 2003 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0006978 | Enstatite | Nestola F, Tribaudino M (2003) The structure of Pbca orthopyroxenes along the join diopside-enstatite (CaMgSi2O6-Mg2Si2O6) European Journal of Mineralogy 15 365-371 | 2003 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0006932 | Enstatite | Tribaudino M, Nestola F (2002) Average and local structure in P2_1/c clinopyroxenes along the join diopside-enstatite (CaMgSi2O6-Mg2Si2O6) European Journal of Mineralogy 14 549-555 | 2002 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0006931 | Enstatite | Tribaudino M, Nestola F (2002) Average and local structure in P2_1/c clinopyroxenes along the join diopside-enstatite (CaMgSi2O6-Mg2Si2O6) European Journal of Mineralogy 14 549-555 | 2002 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0006930 | Enstatite | Tribaudino M, Nestola F (2002) Average and local structure in P2_1/c clinopyroxenes along the join diopside-enstatite (CaMgSi2O6-Mg2Si2O6) European Journal of Mineralogy 14 549-555 | 2002 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0006929 | Enstatite | Tribaudino M, Nestola F (2002) Average and local structure in P2_1/c clinopyroxenes along the join diopside-enstatite (CaMgSi2O6-Mg2Si2O6) European Journal of Mineralogy 14 549-555 | 2002 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008018 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008009 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007922 | Enstatite | Yang H, Ghose S (1995) High temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of the ortho-proto phase transition in enstatite, Mg2Si2O6 at 1360 K Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 22 300-310 | 1995 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007921 | Enstatite | Yang H, Ghose S (1995) High temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of the ortho-proto phase transition in enstatite, Mg2Si2O6 at 1360 K Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 22 300-310 | 1995 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007920 | Enstatite | Yang H, Ghose S (1995) High temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of the ortho-proto phase transition in enstatite, Mg2Si2O6 at 1360 K Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 22 300-310 | 1995 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007919 | Enstatite | Yang H, Ghose S (1995) High temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of the ortho-proto phase transition in enstatite, Mg2Si2O6 at 1360 K Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 22 300-310 | 1995 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0001756 | Enstatite | Domeneghetti M C, Molin G M, Stimpfl M, Tribaudino M (1995) Orthopyroxene from the Serra de Mage meteorite: Structure refinement and estimation of C2/c pyroxene contributions to apparent Pbca diffraction violations American Mineralogist 80 923-929 | | 1995 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001755 | Enstatite | Domeneghetti M C, Molin G M, Stimpfl M, Tribaudino M (1995) Orthopyroxene from the Serra de Mage meteorite: Structure refinement and estimation of C2/c pyroxene contributions to apparent Pbca diffraction violations American Mineralogist 80 923-929 | | 1995 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001693 | Enstatite | Yang H, Ghose S (1995) A transitional structural state and anomalous Fe-Mg order-disorder in Mg-rich orthopyroxene, (Mg0.75Fe0.25)2Si2O6 American Mineralogist 80 9-20 | | 1995 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001644 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Angel R J (1994) A compressional study of MgSiO3 orthoenstatite up to 8.5 GPa American Mineralogist 79 405-410 | | 1994 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001244 | Enstatite | Angel R J, Gasparik T, Finger L W (1989) Crystal structure of a Cr-bearing pyroxene American Mineralogist 74 599-603 | | 1989 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001201 | Enstatite | Carlson W D, Swinnea J S, Miser D E (1988) Stability of orthoenstatite at high temperature and low pressure American Mineralogist 73 1255-1263 | | 1988 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0007358 | Enstatite | Ohashi Y (1984) Polysynthetically-twinned structures of enstatite and wollastonite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 10 217-229 | 1984 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0005140 | Enstatite | Hawthorne F C, Ito J (1977) Synthesis and crystal-structure refinement of transition-metal orthopyroxenes I: Orthoenstatite and (Mg, Mn, Co) orthopyroxene The Canadian Mineralogist 15 321-338 | | 1977 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005139 | Enstatite | Hawthorne F C, Ito J (1977) Synthesis and crystal-structure refinement of transition-metal orthopyroxenes I: Orthoenstatite and (Mg, Mn, Co) orthopyroxene The Canadian Mineralogist 15 321-338 | | 1977 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0017925 | Enstatite | Takane K (1932) Crystal Structure of Bronzite from Chichi-jiama in the Bonin Islands _cod_database_code 1011018 Proceedings of the Japan Academy 8 308-311 | 1932 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0018104 | Enstatite | Warren B, Modell D (1930) The structure of enstatite, MgSiO3 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 75 1-14 | 1930 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0001694 | Enstatite | Yang H, Ghose S (1995) A transitional structural state and anomalous Fe-Mg order-disorder in Mg-rich orthopyroxene, (Mg0.75Fe0.25)2Si2O6 American Mineralogist 80 9-20 | | 1995 | 0 | 1000 | |
| 0001695 | Enstatite | Yang H, Ghose S (1995) A transitional structural state and anomalous Fe-Mg order-disorder in Mg-rich orthopyroxene, (Mg0.75Fe0.25)2Si2O6 American Mineralogist 80 9-20 | | 1995 | 0 | 1100 | |
| 0001696 | Enstatite | Yang H, Ghose S (1995) A transitional structural state and anomalous Fe-Mg order-disorder in Mg-rich orthopyroxene, (Mg0.75Fe0.25)2Si2O6 American Mineralogist 80 9-20 | | 1995 | 0 | 1200 | |
| 0001697 | Enstatite | Yang H, Ghose S (1995) A transitional structural state and anomalous Fe-Mg order-disorder in Mg-rich orthopyroxene, (Mg0.75Fe0.25)2Si2O6 American Mineralogist 80 9-20 | | 1995 | 0 | 1300 | |
| 0008019 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 1.04 | 293 | ||
| 0001645 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Angel R J (1994) A compressional study of MgSiO3 orthoenstatite up to 8.5 GPa American Mineralogist 79 405-410 | | 1994 | 1.04 | 293 | |
| 0008010 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 1.54 | 293 | ||
| 0008020 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 1.9 | 293 | ||
| 0001646 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Angel R J (1994) A compressional study of MgSiO3 orthoenstatite up to 8.5 GPa American Mineralogist 79 405-410 | | 1994 | 1.95 | 293 | |
| 0008011 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 2.5 | 293 | ||
| 0008021 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 3 | 293 | ||
| 0008012 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 3.17 | 293 | ||
| 0001647 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Angel R J (1994) A compressional study of MgSiO3 orthoenstatite up to 8.5 GPa American Mineralogist 79 405-410 | | 1994 | 3.27 | 293 | |
| 0008022 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 4.03 | 293 | ||
| 0001648 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Angel R J (1994) A compressional study of MgSiO3 orthoenstatite up to 8.5 GPa American Mineralogist 79 405-410 | | 1994 | 4.09 | 293 | |
| 0008013 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 4.14 | 293 | ||
| 0008014 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 4.76 | 293 | ||
| 0008023 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 4.93 | 293 | ||
| 0001649 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Angel R J (1994) A compressional study of MgSiO3 orthoenstatite up to 8.5 GPa American Mineralogist 79 405-410 | | 1994 | 4.95 | 293 | |
| 0008015 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 5.77 | 293 | ||
| 0001650 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Angel R J (1994) A compressional study of MgSiO3 orthoenstatite up to 8.5 GPa American Mineralogist 79 405-410 | | 1994 | 5.85 | 293 | |
| 0008024 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 6.01 | 293 | ||
| 0008016 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 6.59 | 293 | ||
| 0001651 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Angel R J (1994) A compressional study of MgSiO3 orthoenstatite up to 8.5 GPa American Mineralogist 79 405-410 | | 1994 | 7 | 293 | |
| 0008017 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Chopelas A, Angel R J (1997) Tetrahedral compression in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 orthopyroxenes Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 301-310 | 1997 | 7.5 | 293 | ||
| 0014680 | Enstatite | Angel R J, Chopelas A, Ross N L (1992) Stability of high-density clinoenstatite at upper-mantle pressures Nature 358 322-324 | 1992 | 7.93 | 293 | ||
| 0001652 | Enstatite | Hugh-Jones D A, Angel R J (1994) A compressional study of MgSiO3 orthoenstatite up to 8.5 GPa American Mineralogist 79 405-410 | | 1994 | 8.1 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.175 Å | (100) |
| 2.878 Å | (55) |
| 2.540 Å | (25) |
| 1.488 Å | (25) |
| 2.497 Å | (18) |
| 2.477 Å | (18) |
| 1.473 Å | (18) |
Comments:
Bamble, Norway. Data from Lee and Heuer (1987).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Pre-terrestrial "Ur-minerals" | >4.57 |
| 1 : Stellar atmosphere condensates | |
| Stage 1: Primary nebular phases | 4.567-4.561 |
| 4 : Primary chondrule phases | 4.566–4.561 |
| Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration | 4.566-4.550 |
| 5 : Primary asteroid phases | 4.566–4.560 |
| 6 : Secondary asteroid phases | 4.566-4.560 |
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 7 : Ultramafic igneous rocks | |
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 12 : Hadean hydrothermal subsurface sulfide deposits (see also #33) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 38 : Ophiolites | |
| 39 : High-? metamorphism (blueschist, eclogite, ultrahigh ? facies) | |
| 40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) |
Geological Setting:
Magmatic mafic rocks
Synonyms of Enstatite
Other Language Names for Enstatite
Dutch:Enstatiet
German:Enstatit
Amblystegit
Chladnit
Cladnit
Enstadit
Ficinit
O-enstatit
Orthobronzit
Orthoenstatit
Paulit
Peckhamit
Protobastit
Shepardit
Victorit
Amblystegit
Chladnit
Cladnit
Enstadit
Ficinit
O-enstatit
Orthobronzit
Orthoenstatit
Paulit
Peckhamit
Protobastit
Shepardit
Victorit
Japanese:頑火輝石
Russian:Энстатит
Varieties of Enstatite
| Bronzite | An iron(II)-bearing variety of enstatite. The iron-dominant member is ferrosilite. See also the obsolete hypersthene, a mid-way member between enstatite and ferrosilite. |
| Lime-Bronzite | A Calcian Bronzite |
| Vanadinbronzite | A vanadium-bearing variety of enstatite. Originally reported from Bracco, Genova Province, Liguria, Italy. |
Relationship of Enstatite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Orthopyroxene Subgroup:
| Donpeacorite | Mn2+MgSi2O6 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca |
| Ferrosilite | Fe2+2Si2O6 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca |
| Protoenstatite | Mg2Si2O6 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 169 photos of Enstatite associated with Pseudobrookite | Fe3+2Ti4+O5 |
| 109 photos of Enstatite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 82 photos of Enstatite associated with Tridymite | SiO2 |
| 78 photos of Enstatite associated with Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
| 65 photos of Enstatite associated with Magnetite | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
| 59 photos of Enstatite associated with Sanidine | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 54 photos of Enstatite associated with Fluorophlogopite | KMg3(Si3Al)O10F2 |
| 33 photos of Enstatite associated with Phlogopite | KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 26 photos of Enstatite associated with 'Armalcolite-Pseudobrookite Series' | |
| 26 photos of Enstatite associated with Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.DA. | Colomeraite | NaTi3+Si2O6 |
| 9.DA. | Protoenstatite | Mg2Si2O6 |
| 9.DA. | Ryabchikovite | CuMgSi2O6 |
| 9.DA.05 | Donpeacorite | Mn2+MgSi2O6 |
| 9.DA.05 | Ferrosilite | Fe2+2Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.10 | Clinoenstatite | MgSiO3 |
| 9.DA.10 | Clinoferrosilite | Fe2+2Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.10 | Kanoite | Mn2+MgSi2O6 |
| 9.DA.10 | Pigeonite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.15 | Grossmanite | CaTi3+ AlSiO6 |
| 9.DA.15 | Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 |
| 9.DA.15 va | 'Jeffersonite' | Ca(Mn,Zn,Fe)Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.15 | Hedenbergite | CaFe2+Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.15 | Johannsenite | CaMn2+Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.15 | Petedunnite | CaZnSi2O6 |
| 9.DA.15 | Esseneite | CaFe3+[AlSiO6] |
| 9.DA.15 | Kushiroite | CaAlAlSiO6 |
| 9.DA.15 | Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.15 | Davisite | CaScAlSiO6 |
| 9.DA.20 | Aegirine-augite | (NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(Fe3+eAlfFe2+gMgh)Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.20 | Omphacite | (NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(AleFe3+fFe2+gMgh)Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.25 | Jadeite | Na(Al,Fe3+)Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.25 | Namansilite | NaMn3+Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.25 | Natalyite | NaV3+Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.25 | Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.25 | Jervisite | NaSc3+Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.25 | Tissintite | (Ca,◻)AlSi2O6 |
| 9.DA.25 | Kosmochlor | NaCrSi2O6 |
| 9.DA.30 | Spodumene | LiAlSi2O6 |
| 9.DA.35 | Hiroseite | FeSiO3 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Enstatite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Enstatite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1384.html
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References for Enstatite
Reference List:
Henry, N. F. M. (1935) Some data on the iron-rich hypersthenes. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 24 (151) 221-226 doi:10.1180/minmag.1935.024.151.04
Walls, Ronert (1935) A critical review of the data for a revision of the enstatite-hypersthene series. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 24 (150) 165-172 doi:10.1180/minmag.1935.24.150.04
Pollack, Sidney S., Ruble, William D. (1964) X-ray identification of ordered and disordered ortho-enstatite. American Mineralogist, 49 (7-8) 983-992
Pollack, Sidney S. (1966) Disordered orthopyroxene in meteorites. American Mineralogist, 51 (11-12) 1722-1726
Morimoto, Nobuo, Koto, Kichiro (1969) The crystal structure of orthoenstatite. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 129 (1) 65-83 doi:10.1524/zkri.1969.129.1-4.65
Anastasiou, P., Seifert, F. (1972) Solid solubility of Al2O3 in enstatite at high temperatures and 1?5 kb water pressure. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 34 (4) 272-287 doi:10.1007/bf00373758
Runciman, W. Alan, Sengupta, Dipankar, Marshall, and Marc (1973) The polarized spectra of iron in silicates. I. Enstatite. American Mineralogist, 58 (5-6) 444-450
Arima, Makoto, Onuma, Kosuke (1977) solubility of alumina in enstatite and the phase equilibria in the join MgSiO3-MgAl2SiO6 at 10-25 kbar. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 61 (3). 251-265 doi:10.1007/bf00376700
Danckwerth, P. A., Newton, R. C. (1978) Experimental determination of the spinel peridotite to garnet peridotite reaction in the system MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 in the range 900-1100 °C and Al2O3 isopleths of enstatite in the spinel field. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 66 (2). 189-201 doi:10.1007/bf00372158
Annersten, Hans, Olesch, Martin, Seifert, Friedrich A. (1978) Ferric iron in orthopyroxene: a Mössbauer spectroscopic study. Lithos, 11 (4) 301-310 doi:10.1016/0024-4937(78)90037-3
Ohashi, Yoshikazu (1984) Polysynthetically-twinned structures of enstatite and wollastonite. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 10 (5) 217-229 doi:10.1007/bf00309314
Ghose, Subrata, Schomaker, Verner, McMullan, R. K. (1986) Enstatite, Mg2Si206: A neutron diffraction refinement of the crystal structure and a rigid-body analysis of the thermal vibration. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 176 (3-4). 159-175 doi:10.1524/zkri.1986.176.3-4.159
LEE, W. E., HEUER, A. H. (1987) On the Polymorphism of Enstatite. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 70 (5). 349-360 doi:10.1111/j.1151-2916.1987.tb05007.x
Duffy, Thomas S., Vaughan, Michael T. (1988) Elasticity of enstatite and its relationship to crystal structure. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 93. 383-391 doi:10.1029/jb093ib01p00383
Carlson, William D., Swinnea, J. Steven, Miser, Donald E. (1988) Stability of orthoenstatite at high temperature and low pressure. American Mineralogist, 73 (11-12) 1255-1263
Angel, R. J., Gasparik, T., Finger, L. W. (1989) Crystal structure of a Cr2+-bearing pyroxene. American Mineralogist, 74 (5-6) 599-603
Angel, R. J., Hugh-Jones, D. A. (1994) Equations of state and thermodynamic properties of enstatite pyroxenes. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 99. 19777-19783 doi:10.1029/94jb01750
Hugh-jones, Demelza A., Angel, Ross J. (1994) A compressional study of MgSiO3 orthoenstatite up to 8.5 GPa. American Mineralogist, 79 (5-6) 405-410
Yang, Hexiong, Ghose, Subrata (1995) High temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of the ortho-proto phase transition in enstatite, Mg2Si2O6 at 1360 K. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 22 (5). 300-310 doi:10.1007/bf00202770
Zhao, Yusheng; Schiferl, David; Shankland, ThomasJ. (1995) A high P-T single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of thermoelasticity of MgSiO3 orthoenstatite. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 22 (6). 393-398 doi:10.1007/bf00213337
Jackson, Jennifer M., Sinogeikin, Stanislav V., Bass, Jay D. (1999) Elasticity of MgSiO3 orthoenstatite. American Mineralogist, 84 (4). 677-680 doi:10.2138/am-1999-0421
MORISHITA, Tomoaki, ARAI, Shoji (2001) Extremely low-Al orthopyroxene in the Horoman peridotite, Japan. Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences, 96 (2) 48-53 doi:10.2465/jmps.96.48
Angel, Ross J., Jackson, Jennifer M. (2002) Elasticity and equation of state of orthoenstatite, MgSiO3. American Mineralogist, 87 (4) 558-561 doi:10.2138/am-2002-0419
Tarantino, Serena C., Domeneghetti, M. Chiara, Carpenter, Michael A., Shaw, Cliff J.S., Tazzoli, Vittorio (2002) Mixing properties of the enstatite-ferrosilite solid solution: I. A macroscopic perspective. European Journal of Mineralogy, 14 (3) 525-536 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2002/0014-0525
Tarantino, Serena C., Ballaran, Tiziana Boffa, Carpenter, Michael A., Domeneghetti, M. Chiara, Tazzoli, Vittorio (2002) Mixing properties of the enstatite-ferrosilite solid solution: II. A microscopic perspective. European Journal of Mineralogy, 14 (3) 537-547 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2002/0014-0537
Lin, Chung-Cherng (2003) Pressure-induced metastable phase transition in orthoenstatite (MgSiO3) at room temperature: a Raman spectroscopic study. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 174. 403-411 doi:10.1016/s0022-4596(03)00278-0
Jackson, Jennifer M., Sinogeikin, Stanislav V., Carpenter, Michael A., Bass, Jay D. (2004) Novel phase transition in orthoenstatite. American Mineralogist, 89 (1) 239-244 doi:10.2138/am-2004-0128
Kung, Jennifer, Li, Baosheng, Uchida, Takeyuki, Wang, Yanbin, Neuville, Daniel, Liebermann, Robert C. (2004) In situ measurements of sound velocities and densities across the orthopyroxene → high-pressure clinopyroxene transition in MgSiO3 at high pressure. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 147 (1). 27-44 doi:10.1016/j.pepi.2004.05.008
Localities for Enstatite
Showing 1,615 localities.
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(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
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All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
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Ohngaing, Mogok Valley, Mogok Township, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District, Mandalay Region, Myanmar