Enstatite
This crystal is from a sand sample collected at the mouth
of the Kalaloch River on the Olympic Peninsula,
Washington State.
Transmitted Circular Polarized Light
Definition/Function:
Enstatite is one of the orthopyroxenes (Mg,Fe2+SiO3).
Significance in the Environment:
Characteristic Features:
Enstatite with about 15% iron is an orthorhombic crystal with gamma green and alpha pink
pleochroism. the crystals tend to elongate along
gamma so this refractive index is generally easy to measure and is a good indicator of
the iron content in this mineral. The gamma refractive
index ranges from 1.658 to 1.788. The alpha refractive index ranges from 1.650 to 1.768
and the beta refractive index from 1.653 to 1.770.
Enstatite can be distinguished from andalusite by andalusite's tendency to elongate
along alpha rather than gamma.
Associated Particles:
References:
Deer, W. A., R. A. Howie, and J. Zussman, AN INTRODCUTION TO THE ROCK-FORMING MINERALS,
ISBN 0-582-30094-0, pp. 155-165, 1992.
