Spodumene (LiAlSi₂O₆) is the lithium-bearing pyroxene and the principal lithium ore mineral worldwide. Two gem varieties make Spodumene a collector classic: kunzite (pink-violet, Mn-bearing) and hiddenite (emerald-green, Cr-bearing). Pegmatites at Pala (California), Minas Gerais (Brazil), and Afghanistan supply gem material.
Key Facts
- Mohs hardness 6.5–7.
- Monoclinic; long prismatic crystals reaching meter-scale in pegmatites.
- Strong pleochroism in colored varieties (kunzite shows violet/colorless/pink on three axes).
- Major industrial lithium source for batteries and ceramics.
- Common companion to lepidolite, elbaite, and beryl in Li-rich pegmatites.
Notable Localities
Pala (California, USA) supplies kunzite. Minas Gerais (Brazil), Afghanistan (Nuristan), and Pakistan yield large gem prisms. Hiddenite, North Carolina is the type-locality for hiddenite.
Found at these Localities
- Eastern Brazilian Pegmatite Province (巴西东部伟晶岩省)
- Madagascar Pegmatites (Sahatany / Antsirabe) (马达加斯加伟晶岩区)
- Linópolis Pegmatites (利诺波利斯伟晶岩区)
