
General Information:

Chemical Formula:
(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe++,Fe+++)[Si2O6]

Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 228.05 gm)
Sodium 2.52 %
NaCalcium 13.18 %
CaMagnesium 5.33 %
MgIron 12.24 %
FeSilicon 24.63 %
SiOxygen 42.09 %
O 
Empirical Formula:
Ca0.75Na0.25Mg0.5Fe2+0.25Fe3+0.25(Si2O6)

Environment:
Characteristic mineral of alkaline rocks, particularly syenites and iron-rich metamorphic and metasomatic rocks.

IMA Status:
Not IMA Approved

Locality:
Common world-wide.

Name Origin:
Name derived from its intermediate pyroxene composition. This is not an end-member species.
Physical Properties:

Cleavage:
[110] Very Good, [100] Parting

Color:
dark green, black, green, pale greenish yellow, or greenish gray.

Density:
3.4 - 3.6, Average = 3.5

Diaphaniety:
Translucent to opaque

Habits:
Fibrous - Crystals made up of fibers., Anhedral Grains - Granular minerals without the expression of crystal shapes, Prismatic - Crystals Shaped like Slender Prisms (e.g. tourmaline).

Hardness:
6 - Orthoclase

Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
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