SEMINAR TOPIC

on

PYROXENE GROUP
OF MINERALS
SUBMITTED BYGROUP H
DEBASHIS KONWAR ( 111 )
MUKUNDA MADHAB BORAH ( 16 )
BEDANTA BIKASH GOGOI ( 124 )
PINKY VAIDYA ( 221 )
JAGRITI DAIMARI ( 153 )

3RD SEMESTER
GEOLOGY MAJOR

PYROXENE GROUP OF MINERALS

Pyroxenes form an important group of rock-forming silicates containing the Si 2O6
single chain structure (inosilicates). Pyroxenes are anhydrous silicates of Mg and Fe
and thus are predominantly found in ferro-magnesian rocks, i.e. in basic and
ultrabasic rocks. They are recognized by their melanocratic appearance ( i.e. dark
colour).
ATOMIC STRUCTURE : Pyroxenes are inosilicates having single-chain structure in
which Si : O=1:3. The chains consist of a large number of linked SiO 4 groups, in
which each SiO4 tetrahedron share two oxygen atoms, and have the chain
composition [ Si2O6]n4- . Here, the excess negative charge on the Si 2O6 chain is
balanced by the valencies of other cations. The chains run parallel to the c-axis of
the mineral and are bonded together by the Ca and Mg ions which lie between
them.

CLASSIFICATION : Pyroxenes are commonly classified on the basis of their

crystallization in two groups

1. Orthorhombic Pyroxenes
a. Enstatite [MgSiO3 ]
enstatite, (Mg,Fe)SiO3]

b. Bronzite [ Fe-rich

c. Hypersthene [ (Fe,Mg)SiO3]
[ FeMgSiO3]

d. Ferrohypersthene

e. Eulite [ Mg content 10 to 30 % ]

f. Ferrosilite [ FeSiO 3]

2. Monoclinic Pyroxenes
a.

Clinoenstatite [ MgSiO3 or Mg2Si2O6]

(MgFe)Si2O6 ]

c.
[ CaFeSi2O6 ]

Diopside [ CaMgSi 2O6 ]

b. Pigeonite [ (CaMg)

d. Hedenbergite

e.
NaFeSi2O6]

g.
[ LiAlSi2O6]

i.

Augite [ (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe,Al)(Si,Al) 2O6 ]

Jadeite [ NaAlSi 2O6]

f. Acmite or Aegirine [

h. Spodumene

Johannsenite [ CaMnSi2O6 ]

Triclinic Pyroxenes or the Pyroxenoids : They are not related structurally to the
pyroxenes, although chemically they have identical formulae. They have a single
chain of linked SiO4 tetrahedra, which is not the simple chain of pyroxenes. They are
commonly known as the Pyroxenoids, and include minerals like Wollastonite
( CaSiO3 ), Pectolite [ Ca2NaH(SiO3)3 ], Rhodonite [ MnSiO3 ],

Bustamite

[ MnCa(SiO3)2 ].

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF PYROXENES :

Form and Habit generally occur as prismatic crystals
Colour nearly black or green of various shades; sometimes brown or grey
Lustre vitreous to subvitreous; sometimes resinous or pearly. Hypersthene shows a
kind of metallic-pearly lustre termed as schillerisation.
Cleavage 2 sets, prismatic at angles 87 and 93.
Hardness 5 to 6
Specific Gravity low to moderate
Twinning contact twins in case of monoclinic members.

OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF PYROXENES :

a. Orthopyroxenes
i) Colour green, colourless or yellow
ii) Pleochroism pleochroic ( except enstatite )
iii) Refractive Index high
iv) Optical Character anisotropic biaxial, positive- enstatite, negativehypersthene

v) Extinction parallel
vi) Interference colour first order
b. Clinopyroxenes
i) Colour colourless to pale green
ii) Pleochroism non-pleochroic (e.g.-diopside,pigeonite,spodumene) to
weakly pleochroic ;
pleochroic varieties include augite,
hedenbergite, jadeite.
iii) Refractive Index higher than Canada Balsam
iv) Optical Character anisotropic biaxial, positive
v) Extinction inclined, generally
45
vi) Interference colour second order

VARIETIES OF PYROXENES :
Malacolite white, pale green, yellow or colourless, translucent variety of diopside.
Coccolite granular variety of diopside, white or green in colour.
Diallage translucent and fibrous augite.
Omphacite foliated diopside; a member of clinopyroxenes intermediate between
jadeite and augite; found in eclogites.
Kunzite gem variety of spodumene.
Hiddenite emerald-green spodumene; a gem variety.

OCCURRENCE :
Pyroxenes are very common minerals in igneous rocks, being the most important of
the ferro-magnesian minerals.

Orthopyroxenes occur in basic and ultrabasic igneous rocks of all types,

and are the dominant pyroxenes present in norites. Mg-rich orthopyroxenes
occur in ultrabasic and ultra-mafic igneous rocks such as pyroxenites,
hedenbergites etc. Orthopyroxenes
temperature

regional

occur in rocks affected by high-

metamorphism,

particularly

charnockites

and

granulites.
Clinopyroxenes : Diopside occurs in a wide variety of metamorphic rocks,
particularly

metamorphosed

dolomitic

limestones

and

calcareous

sedimentary rocks. Diopside may occur in some basic igneous extrusive

rocks.

Hedenbergite occurs in metamorphosed Fe-rich sediments and in

some acid igneous rocks such as ferrogabbros and granophyres.

Augites

occur in igneous rocks, and are essential constituents of gabbros, dolerites,

and basalts. In gabbros, augites usually occur with orthopyroxenes. Augites
may occur in some very high-grade metamorphic rocks such as granulites
and charnockites. Spodumene occurs as large crystals in pegmatites.