Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Mawi, Nuristan, Afghanistan
SIZE : 20 x 10 x 7.8 cm

This isolated crystal of spodumene (kunzite variety) is pink-violet and transparent verily has a gemmeous quality. This prismatic crystal has a sharp termination that is typical of spodumene. It measures 20 x 10 x 7.8 cm.

This sample comes from Mawi pegmatites in Afghanistan. Acquired thanks to support from Total, it is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Spodumene
VARIETY :Kunzite

HISTORY : Name inspired by the Greek word "σποδυμενοσ" [spodumenos] meaning "ash" colour, in reference to its gray cristals

Species first described in 1800 by José Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva (1763-1838), Brazilian politician and geologist

Type-locality: Utö Island, Sodermanland, Sweden
ANCIENT NAME : Triphane

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Li Al Si2O6
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Monoclinic
COLOR : Colourless, pink, yellow, green, violet, gray
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Prismatic crystals, flats and striated
HARDNESS : 6,5-7,0
DENSITY : 3,184

CHEMICAL CLASS : IX - Silicates
GROUP : Pyroxen (Li)
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 8/F.01-120
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 9.DA.30

Explore the Mineral Treasures of the Muséum

Welcome to
the Virtual Gallery of Mineralogy

Spodumene

Kunzite

MNHN N°202.43

general description

The Species page

Mineralogy