Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Ambatovita, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar
SIZE : 13.7 x 8.5 x 2.4 cm

This spodumene is a kunzite variety. The kunzite is colourless to pink and is gemmeous, it a 13.7 x 8.5 x 2.4 cm. Some changes of growth can be seen on its facets.

This sample comes from Ambatovita in Madagascar. The Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle could obtain this specimen thanks to support from Total.

It is today kept in the storage rooms of the collections of the Muséum (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

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

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Kunzite

MNHN N°203.118

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