Formula: LiAlSi2O6
Origin of name: from Greek for reduced to ashes
Crystal system: monoclinic
Crystal class: 2/m
Twinning: common on {100} lamellar
Unit cell: a = 9.47 Å, b = 8.39 Å, c = 5.22 Å, b = 110.1°
Colour: colourless, white, gray, yellowish, greenish, emeral-green, pink
Diaphaneity:
Luster: vitreous to dull
Habit: crystals prismatic, may be flattened, striated vertically, large, massive, cleavable
Hardness: 6.5 to 7.5
Specific gravity: 3.0 to 3.2
Cleavage: 3; {110} perfect, {010} and {100} parting
Tenacity: brittle
Streak: white
Synonyms/varieties: hiddenite (green, Cr-rich variety), kunzite (pink to purple variety), triphane (colourless or yellow variety)
Comments: member of the pyroxene group
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