Hypersthene
| Colour | Black, Gray, Brown, Green |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 5.5–6 |
| Lustre | Vitreous to pearly |
| Streak | Greyish white, greenish |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Cleavage | {100} Perfect, {010} Perfect |
| Fracture | Uneven |
| Specific gravity | 3.4–3.9 |
What is Hypersthene?
Hypersthene is a common rock-forming inosilicate mineral belonging to the group of orthorhombic pyroxenes. Its chemical formula is (Mg,Fe)SiO3. It is found in igneous and some metamorphic rocks as well as in stony and iron meteorites. Many references have formally abandoned this term, preferring to categorise this mineral as enstatite or ferrosilite. It forms a solid solution series with the minerals enstatite and ferrosilite, being a mid-way member between the two. Pure enstatite contains no iron, while pure ferrosilite contains no magnesium; hypersthene is the name given to the mineral when
How to identify Hypersthene
- Lustre: Vitreous to pearly.
- Hardness: Mohs 5.5–6 — about as hard as a steel knife.
- Streak: Greyish white, greenish.
- Habit: Orthorhombic crystal system.
Hypersthene in different forms
Stones often confused with Hypersthene
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Hypersthene?
Hypersthene is Mohs 5.5–6 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Hypersthene?
Hypersthene is typically black, gray, brown, green (Gray, brown, or green).