SPODUMENE
SPODUMENE
Spodumene comes from the Greek word SPODIOS which means Ash-Colored. This name, describes the opaque, industrial-grade spodumene crystals which are often found in dull ash-gray color.
Spodumene is of a lithium aluminum silicate chemical composition. This mineral was an important ore of lithium metal throughout most of the 20th century. Lithium refined from spodumene was of very high purity. But it was very costly to liberate lithium from the silicate mineral. As lithium-rich brine deposits were developed, the more costly use of spodumene as an ore of lithium declined.
Spodumene is a mineral and a family of gemstones which include the transparent pale-yellow to golden-yellow Spodumene; the 'green Hiddenite' and 'pink Kunzite'. Kunzite by definition is of a pink to violet colored Spodumene.
Triphane, on the other hand, is the colorless to yellow Spodumene. This name and this colored variety of Spodumene is used in crystal healing circles.
The blue to green-blue, and the multicolored Spodumene variety are usually not used as gemstones.
The presence of manganese in spodumene attributes to the pink in kunzite, chromium impurities creates the green in hiddenite, and iron the yellow of Spodumene.
Spodumene has a hardness ranging from 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. It is transparent with a vitreous (or glass-like) luster when cut and polished. It is strongly pleochroic where the color ranges from yellow to violet when viewed at different angles. Pink kunzite often exhibits a deeper pink color.
Spodumene has a high refractive index and a perfect prismatic cleavage. Spodumene has a perfect cleavage, which means that it should be handled with care, for any hard knock or blow can split this precious stone in two.
Spodumene can sometimes display chatoyancy or cat's eye effect but these specimens are rare.
Spodumene is typically faceted and the most common shapes include ovals, rounds, cushions, pears and trillions.
Spodumene is very sensitive to light. Its colors fade easily when exposed to sunlight. The brownish and green-violet Spodumene may be heated to improve their color.
Spodumene is a cleansing crystal and is often used to re-energize and revitalize the body. It empowers the wearer with motivation, inspiration and encouragement to finish a task or project.
It is a shield against harmful and negative energies.
Spodumene are considered powerful eye charms, and a great benefit to the kidneys and loins.
To cleanse your spodumene, use plain water with soap and a soft cloth. Always remember to remove all residue.
Spodumene was first discovered in Sweden, whereas kunzite and hiddenite spodumene were discovered in the United States. Kunzite was named after George Frederick Kunz and hiddenite was named after William Earl Hidden.
Hiddenite was first found in Hiddenite, North Carolina. However, other deposits have been found in Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar (Burma) and California. Some have argued that only the green spodumene that is found in Hiddenite should be called Hiddenite; the other green specimens found elsewhere should be traded as green spodumene.
The pink kunzite is found at Minas Gerais in Brazil. Nonetheless, there are other sources where kunzite has been found. These include Afghanistan, Madagascar, Myanmar (Burma), Pakistan and the United States. In Madagascar a rare colorless variety of spodumene has been discovered and in Afghanistan, too, a rare blue type has been found.
The most well-known deposits for spodumene are found in Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar, Pakistan and in the United States (California, North Carolina and South Dakota).
Spodumene comes from the Greek word SPODIOS which means Ash-Colored. This name, describes the opaque, industrial-grade spodumene crystals which are often found in dull ash-gray color.
Spodumene is of a lithium aluminum silicate chemical composition. This mineral was an important ore of lithium metal throughout most of the 20th century. Lithium refined from spodumene was of very high purity. But it was very costly to liberate lithium from the silicate mineral. As lithium-rich brine deposits were developed, the more costly use of spodumene as an ore of lithium declined.
Spodumene is a mineral and a family of gemstones which include the transparent pale-yellow to golden-yellow Spodumene; the 'green Hiddenite' and 'pink Kunzite'. Kunzite by definition is of a pink to violet colored Spodumene.
Triphane, on the other hand, is the colorless to yellow Spodumene. This name and this colored variety of Spodumene is used in crystal healing circles.
The blue to green-blue, and the multicolored Spodumene variety are usually not used as gemstones.
The presence of manganese in spodumene attributes to the pink in kunzite, chromium impurities creates the green in hiddenite, and iron the yellow of Spodumene.
Spodumene has a hardness ranging from 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. It is transparent with a vitreous (or glass-like) luster when cut and polished. It is strongly pleochroic where the color ranges from yellow to violet when viewed at different angles. Pink kunzite often exhibits a deeper pink color.
Spodumene has a high refractive index and a perfect prismatic cleavage. Spodumene has a perfect cleavage, which means that it should be handled with care, for any hard knock or blow can split this precious stone in two.
Spodumene can sometimes display chatoyancy or cat's eye effect but these specimens are rare.
Spodumene is typically faceted and the most common shapes include ovals, rounds, cushions, pears and trillions.
Spodumene is very sensitive to light. Its colors fade easily when exposed to sunlight. The brownish and green-violet Spodumene may be heated to improve their color.
Spodumene is a cleansing crystal and is often used to re-energize and revitalize the body. It empowers the wearer with motivation, inspiration and encouragement to finish a task or project.
It is a shield against harmful and negative energies.
Spodumene are considered powerful eye charms, and a great benefit to the kidneys and loins.
To cleanse your spodumene, use plain water with soap and a soft cloth. Always remember to remove all residue.
Spodumene was first discovered in Sweden, whereas kunzite and hiddenite spodumene were discovered in the United States. Kunzite was named after George Frederick Kunz and hiddenite was named after William Earl Hidden.
Hiddenite was first found in Hiddenite, North Carolina. However, other deposits have been found in Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar (Burma) and California. Some have argued that only the green spodumene that is found in Hiddenite should be called Hiddenite; the other green specimens found elsewhere should be traded as green spodumene.
The pink kunzite is found at Minas Gerais in Brazil. Nonetheless, there are other sources where kunzite has been found. These include Afghanistan, Madagascar, Myanmar (Burma), Pakistan and the United States. In Madagascar a rare colorless variety of spodumene has been discovered and in Afghanistan, too, a rare blue type has been found.
The most well-known deposits for spodumene are found in Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar, Pakistan and in the United States (California, North Carolina and South Dakota).