Spodumene
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Spodumene
Formula:
LiAlSi2O6
Colour:
Colourless, yellow, light green, emerald-green, pink to violet, purple, white, gray
Lustre:
Vitreous, Dull
Hardness:
6½ - 7
Specific Gravity:
3.1 - 3.2
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
From Greek "spodoumenos", "reduced to ashes", alluding to the grayish-white mass that is formed when the mineral is ignited.
Type Locality:
Pyroxene Group - Clinopyroxene Subgroup.
Spodumene is worked as an ore of lithium, but it is most highly prized as a gem material - the varieties Kunzite (pink) and Hiddenite (green) are especially sought after. It is usually found as a constituent of lithium-rich pegmatites. It forms crystals to 12 meters in length.
Spodumene is worked as an ore of lithium, but it is most highly prized as a gem material - the varieties Kunzite (pink) and Hiddenite (green) are especially sought after. It is usually found as a constituent of lithium-rich pegmatites. It forms crystals to 12 meters in length.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Spodumene.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3733
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3733:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
7e613376-c696-4912-9c3f-3a688e5116ff
IMA Classification of Spodumene
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Spodumene
9.DA.30
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
65.1.4.1
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
16.1.2
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
1 : Aluminosilicates of Li
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
1 : Aluminosilicates of Li
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 |
---|---|---|
Spd | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Spd | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
Spd | 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 |
Spd | 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 |
Spd | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Pronunciation of Spodumene
Pronunciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Spodumene
Vitreous, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, yellow, light green, emerald-green, pink to violet, purple, white, gray
Streak:
White
Hardness:
6½ - 7 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
(110), (110)
(110), (110)
Parting:
{100}, {010}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
3.1 - 3.2 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.184 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Spodumene
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.648 - 1.661 nβ = 1.655 - 1.670 nγ = 1.662 - 1.679
2V:
Measured: 54° to 69°, Calculated: 88°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.014 - 0.018
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
weak
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = purple to green; Z = colorless.
Chemistry of Spodumene
Mindat Formula:
LiAlSi2O6
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Fe,Mn,Mg,Ca,Na,K,H2O
Crystallography of Spodumene
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.46 Å, b = 8.39 Å, c = 5.22 Å
β = 110.17°
β = 110.17°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.128 : 1 : 0.622
Unit Cell V:
388.90 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Twinning:
On {110}, uncommon (Afghanistan).
Crystallographic forms of Spodumene
Crystal Atlas:
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0000355 | Spodumene | Cameron M, Sueno S, Prewitt C T, Papike J J (1973) High-temperature crystal chemistry of acmite, diopside, hedenbergite, jadeite, spodumene, and ureyite pyroxene American Mineralogist 58 594-618 | 1973 | 0 | 297 | ||
0000356 | Spodumene | Cameron M, Sueno S, Prewitt C T, Papike J J (1973) High-temperature crystal chemistry of acmite, diopside, hedenbergite, jadeite, spodumene, and ureyite pyroxene American Mineralogist 58 594-618 | 1973 | 0 | 573 | ||
0000357 | Spodumene | Cameron M, Sueno S, Prewitt C T, Papike J J (1973) High-temperature crystal chemistry of acmite, diopside, hedenbergite, jadeite, spodumene, and ureyite pyroxene American Mineralogist 58 594-618 | 1973 | 0 | 733 | ||
0000358 | Spodumene | Cameron M, Sueno S, Prewitt C T, Papike J J (1973) High-temperature crystal chemistry of acmite, diopside, hedenbergite, jadeite, spodumene, and ureyite pyroxene American Mineralogist 58 594-618 | 1973 | 0 | 1033 | ||
0005836 | Spodumene | Tribaudino M, Nestola F, Prencipe M, Rundlof H (2003) A single-crystal neutron-diffraction investigation of spodumene at 54 K The Canadian Mineralogist 41 521-527 | 2003 | 0 | 293 | ||
0005837 | Spodumene | Tribaudino M, Nestola F, Prencipe M, Rundlof H (2003) A single-crystal neutron-diffraction investigation of spodumene at 54 K The Canadian Mineralogist 41 521-527 | 2003 | 0 | 293 | ||
0008492 | Spodumene | Arlt T, Angel R J (2000) Displacive phase transitions in C-centred clinopyroxenes: spodumene, LiScSi2O6 and ZnSiO3 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 27 719-731 | 2000 | 0 | 293 | ||
0008493 | Spodumene | Arlt T, Angel R J (2000) Displacive phase transitions in C-centred clinopyroxenes: spodumene, LiScSi2O6 and ZnSiO3 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 27 719-731 | 2000 | 3.164 | 293 | ||
0008494 | Spodumene | Arlt T, Angel R J (2000) Displacive phase transitions in C-centred clinopyroxenes: spodumene, LiScSi2O6 and ZnSiO3 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 27 719-731 | 2000 | 3.342 | 293 | ||
0008495 | Spodumene | Arlt T, Angel R J (2000) Displacive phase transitions in C-centred clinopyroxenes: spodumene, LiScSi2O6 and ZnSiO3 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 27 719-731 | 2000 | 8.835 | 293 | ||
0018064 | Spodumene | Warren B, Biscoe J (1931) The crystal structure of monoclinic pyroxenes _cod_database_code 1011191 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 80 391-401 | 1931 | 0 | 293 | ||
0010656 | Spodumene | Li C T, Peacor D R (1968) The crystal structure LiAlSi2O6-II ("beta spodumene") Note, y coordinate of Si1 altered according to Clarke and Spink (1969) Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 126 46-65 | 1968 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0010702 | Spodumene | Clarke P T, Spink J M (1969) The crystal structure of beta spodumene, LiAlSi2O6-II Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 130 420-426 | 1969 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0011109 | Spodumene | Redhammer G J, Roth G (2004) Structural variation and crystal chemistry of LiMe3+Si2O6 clinopyroxenes Me3+ = Al, Ga, Cr, V, Fe, Sc, and In Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 219 278-294 | 2004 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
2.921 Å | (100) |
2.793 Å | (90) |
4.205 Å | (75) |
6.12 Å | (40) |
4.36 Å | (35) |
3.444 Å | (35) |
3.190 Å | (35) |
Comments:
ICDD 33-786.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
Lithium rich pegmatites.
Type Occurrence of Spodumene
Synonyms of Spodumene
Other Language Names for Spodumene
Basque:Espodumeno
Croatian:Spodumen
Dutch:Spodumeen
Estonian:Spodumeen
Finnish:Spodumeeni
French:Spodumène
German:Spodumen
Hungarian:Spodumen
Italian:Spodumene
Lithuanian:Spodumenas
Norwegian:Spodumen
Polish:Spodumen
Portuguese:Espodúmena
Russian:Сподумен
Simplified Chinese:锂辉石
Swedish:Spodumen
Traditional Chinese:鋰輝石
Varieties of Spodumene
Hiddenite | Hiddenite was not originally defined by Kunz as has been sometimes claimed. Smith (1881) did state: "I have employed all the necessary care in examining for chromium, but have found no indication of its presence." Smith tried to verify the presence of van... |
Kunzite | A pink gem variety of Spodumene. Kunzite is frequently irradiated to enhance the colour. |
Relationship of Spodumene to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Aegirine-augite | (NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(Fe3+eAlfFe2+gMgh)Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Burnettite | CaVAlSiO6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Clinoenstatite | MgSiO3 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Clinoferrosilite | Fe2+2Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Colomeraite | NaTi3+Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Davisite | CaScAlSiO6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Esseneite | CaFe3+[AlSiO6] | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Grossmanite | CaTi3+ AlSiO6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Hedenbergite | CaFe2+Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Jadeite | Na(Al,Fe3+)Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Jervisite | NaSc3+Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Johannsenite | CaMn2+Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Kanoite | Mn2+(Mg,Mn2+)Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Kosmochlor | NaCrSi2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Kushiroite | CaAl[AlSiO6] | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Namansilite | NaMn3+Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Natalyite | NaV3+Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Omphacite | (NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(AleFe3+fFe2+gMgh)Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m |
Petedunnite | Ca(Zn,Mn2+,Mg,Fe2+)Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Pigeonite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Ryabchikovite | CuMgSi2O6 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Tissintite | (Ca,Na,◻)AlSi2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
UM2001-19-SiO:AlCaMgNa | (Na,Mg,Ca)(Mg,Al)Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
UM2003-36-SiO:CaNa | NaCrSi2O6 - CaMgSi2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
111 photos of Spodumene associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
61 photos of Spodumene associated with Elbaite | Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
49 photos of Spodumene associated with Lepidolite | |
48 photos of Spodumene associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
45 photos of Spodumene associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
42 photos of Spodumene associated with Cleavelandite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
32 photos of Spodumene associated with Kunzite | LiAlSi2O6 |
25 photos of Spodumene associated with Eucryptite | LiAlSiO4 |
23 photos of Spodumene associated with Spessartine | Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
19 photos of Spodumene associated with Smoky Quartz | SiO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.DA. | Protoenstatite | Mg2Si2O6 |
9.DA. | Ryabchikovite | CuMgSi2O6 |
9.DA. | Colomeraite | NaTi3+Si2O6 |
9.DA.05 | Donpeacorite | (Mn,Mg)MgSi2O6 |
9.DA.05 | Enstatite | Mg2Si2O6 |
9.DA.05 | Ferrosilite | Fe2+2Si2O6 |
9.DA.10 | Clinoenstatite | MgSiO3 |
9.DA.10 | Clinoferrosilite | Fe2+2Si2O6 |
9.DA.10 | Kanoite | Mn2+(Mg,Mn2+)Si2O6 |
9.DA.10 | Pigeonite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
9.DA.15 | Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
9.DA.15 | Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 |
9.DA.15 | Esseneite | CaFe3+[AlSiO6] |
9.DA.15 | Hedenbergite | CaFe2+Si2O6 |
9.DA.15 va | Jeffersonite | Ca(Mn,Zn,Fe)Si2O6 |
9.DA.15 | Johannsenite | CaMn2+Si2O6 |
9.DA.15 | Petedunnite | Ca(Zn,Mn2+,Mg,Fe2+)Si2O6 |
9.DA.15 | Davisite | CaScAlSiO6 |
9.DA.15 | Kushiroite | CaAl[AlSiO6] |
9.DA.15 | Grossmanite | CaTi3+ AlSiO6 |
9.DA.20 | Aegirine-augite | (NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(Fe3+eAlfFe2+gMgh)Si2O6 |
9.DA.20 | Omphacite | (NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(AleFe3+fFe2+gMgh)Si2O6 |
9.DA.25 | Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
9.DA.25 | Jadeite | Na(Al,Fe3+)Si2O6 |
9.DA.25 | Jervisite | NaSc3+Si2O6 |
9.DA.25 | Kosmochlor | NaCrSi2O6 |
9.DA.25 | Namansilite | NaMn3+Si2O6 |
9.DA.25 | Natalyite | NaV3+Si2O6 |
9.DA.25 | Tissintite | (Ca,Na,◻)AlSi2O6 |
9.DA.35 | Hiroseite | FeSiO3 |
Fluorescence of Spodumene
Yellow, orange, or pink fluorescence under LW and SW UV.
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.
Spodumene in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Spodumene
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3733.html
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References for Spodumene
Reference List:
Cameron, Maryellen, Sueno, Shigeho, Prewitt, C. T., Papike, and J. J. (1973) High-temperature crystal chemistry of acmite, diopside, hedenbergite, jadeite, spodumene, and ureyite. American Mineralogist, 58 (7-8) 594-618
Localities for Spodumene
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
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Laghman, Afghanistan