Spodumene

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Physical & Optical Properties

Category Semi-Precious Gems

Mohs Hardness 6.0 – 7.0

Specific Gravity 3.15 – 3.21

Refractive Index 1.657 – 1.681

Crystal System Monoclinic

Luster Vitreous

Cleavage Perfect

Fracture Splintery

Color various

Birefringence 0.014

Dispersion 0.017

Pleochroism Yellow stones - distinct: very light yellow - yellow - deep yellow

Mohs Hardness

Mohs Hardness: 6.0 – 7.0

1 Soft10 Hard

Crystal System

Value & Market

Price Tier Moderate ($50-500/ct)

Where to Buy Spodumene

Blue Nile Fine jewelry retailer

James Allen Gemstone jewelry

Brilliant Earth Ethically sourced gems

Amazon Wide selection

Links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Treatments

6 to 7Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references 3.15 to 3.21Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references BrittleMichael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) PerfectHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) Easy and perfect prismatic cleavageMore from other references SplinteryArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) 1.657 to 1.681Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references Biaxial/+Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references 0.014 to 0.016Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references Yellow stones - distinct: very light yellow - yellow - deep yellowHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references 0.017Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) Colourless, green, lilac, pink, white, yellowArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) Purple to pink (kunzite), Mn3+ in tetrahedral coordination, Mn3+ in octahedral coordination. Emerald green (hiddenite), Cr3+ in octahedral coordination with also unstable Mn4+ color center; V3+ in octahedral coordination. Paler green, unstable Mn4+ in octahedral coordination plus Fe2+→Fe3+ charge transfer; Fe3+ in octahedral coordination. Greenish yellow to brownish orange, color center of unknown structureW. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011) TransparentMichael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references VitreousArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) Much weaker orange-yellowMichael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) Yellowish-green stone: inert to weak orangy-yellowHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references Yellow-green spodumene gives a fairly strong glow but with no phosphorescence or change of colour.Michael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) MonoclinicHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references Highly characteristic flattened and striated prismaticMichael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references Spodumene is a common constituent of lithium-rich granite pegmatites.Michael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) Growth and etch tubes, healing cracks, liquid and multi-phase inclusions - Gemmological Tables, Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, 2004, p 18 Spodumene information at mindat.org Afghanistan  [var: Kunzite] E.Ya. Kievlenko, Geology of gems, 2003, p. 110 [var: Kunzite] Bowersox and Chamberlin (1995) [var: Kunzite] Bowersox and Chamberlin (1995) [var: Kunzite] Bowersox and Chamberlin (1995) [var: Kunzite] Bowersox and Chamberlin (1995) Brazil  [var: Kunzite] Proctor (1985) Proctor (1985) [var: Kunzite] [var: Kunzite] Proctor (1985) [var: Kunzite] Proctor (1985) Madagascar[var: Kunzite] E.Ya. Kievlenko, Geology of gems, 2003, p. 110 Lefevre and Thomas (1997) Pakistan  E.Ya.Kievlenko, Geology of gems, 2003, p. 110 Sri Lanka  [var: Kunzite] Ceylon Aluvial Mine, (Book, Co. 2002) USA  [var: Kunzite] Sinkankas (1997) [var: Hiddenite] Rocks & Min.:60:84. [var: Hiddenite] Rocks & Minerals 79:5 p 344; Rocks & Min. (2007) 82:243

About Spodumene

Spodumene is a lithium aluminum pyroxene that produces two important gem varieties: the lavender to purple kunzite and the vivid green hiddenite, both occurring as large, often well-formed crystals in lithium-rich pegmatites. Brazil, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and North Carolina produce superb kunzite crystals, while the finest hiddenite comes exclusively from Alexander County, North Carolina, USA. Beyond gemstones, spodumene has become a critical mineral as a major source of lithium for batteries.