Spodumene: properties and who the mineral is suitable for according to their zodiac sign

The name of the mineral spodumene comes from the Greek “spodumenos” - reminiscent of ash, grayish-white.

The English name of the mineral Spodumene is Spodumene

Spodumene

Synonyms: Old names: triphane - triphane (Ayui, 1801), spodumenite - spodumenite (Chester, 1896); for artificial ones: α -spodumene - α -spodumene, LiAlSi2O6-l. Lazulite from Brazil was also called spodumene (Hinze, 1897). Cesium spodumene - cesium-spodumene and diaspodumene - diaspodumene turned out to be intergrowths of spodumene with quartz; β-spo dumene is a heterogeneous substance, a product of changes in spodumene (Dana, 1892). Artificially produced β-spodumene and γ-spodumene are not pyroxenes.

History and origin

The date of discovery of spodumene is 1800. The first to introduce the mineral under the name "spodumene" was the Brazilian mineralogist and statesman Silva d'Andrada. The name comes from the Greek "spodumenos", which translates as "becoming ashes". This is due to the property of the nugget to turn into a gray ash substance as a result of calcination.

Mineral – Spodumene

The gem is formed in spodumene, spodumene-petalite, and spodumene-lepidolite pegmatites, which belong to granite pegmatites. Associated minerals include beryl, quartz, tourmaline, albite, magnetite and others. Under the influence of hydrothermal solutions, spodumene is replaced by associated rocks.

Place of Birth

The mineral spodumene is formed in granitic pegmatites, where it is accompanied by quartz and tourmalines:

There are small deposits in the Central Asian region, Ukraine, and Armenia.
The stone is mined on an industrial scale in the USA, Norway, Sweden, Afghanistan, the Russian Federation, Austria, and Brazil.
Deposits in Myanmar, Russia (Republic of Tyva, Karelia), and Kazakhstan delight collectors with large textured needle crystals.

Sources of premium quality raw materials are Australia, Finland, Czech Republic, Madagascar.

Physical properties

Property	Description
Formula	LiAl(Si2O6)
Hardness	6,5 — 7
Density	3.1 - 3.2 g/cm³
Refractive index	1,66 — 1,68
singonia	Monoclinic
Kink	Stepped-uneven
Cleavage	Perfect
Shine	Glass
Transparency	Transparent or translucent
Color	Grayish white, pink, purple, emerald green, yellow

Spodumene is a silicate of lithium and aluminum. With a significant indicator of hardness, it is characterized by increased fragility. It does not react to acids, but is modified under the influence of different temperatures (from 250 to 1200˚C). The mineral occurs in crystals of irregular shape, sometimes twinned, and often forms granular aggregates. The dimensions of the extracted raw materials sometimes reach several meters, and the mass reaches tens of tons.

The optical properties of spodumene are very interesting. Depending on the nature of the lighting, luminescence and fluorescence (cathode rays) appear, and the color of various specimens also changes under the influence of X-rays. When heated from 220 to 500 ˚C, radiophotoluminescence and thermoluminescence are noticeable.

Crystallographic characteristics

Syngony. Monoclinic.

Class. Monoclinic-prismatic C2h - 2/m(L2PC).

Crystal structure

The structure of spodumene has features that distinguish it from other monoclinic pyroxenes by the same space group. First of all, this is the coordination of cations for M(2), equal to six with an average distance M(2) - O = 2.211 A (in all other monoclinic pyroxenes of this space group there are 8 oxygens around M(2). Si - O chains have the largest angle O (3) - 0 (3) - O (3) = 170.5°, and in the artificial Fe 3+ analogue of spodumene, the silicon-oxygen chains are completely straightened (angle 180°).

Spodumene granular aggregates Eastern Sayan Mountains

Varieties and colors

Spodumene is a gem with a rich color palette. There are several varieties of the mineral, each of which is named by its own name:

Kunzite is a nugget colored in all shades of pink, from light to purple. This color variation is explained by the admixture of manganese. The gem was discovered in 1899, initially mistaking it for tourmaline. Already in 1902, this stone was declared a variety of spodumene by George Kunz, the chief master of the famous jewelry business, after whom the mineral was named.
Hiddenite is another variety named after its discoverer. In 1879, W. E. Gidden discovered a bluish-green mineral on US soil. The color of giddenite changes to a rich emerald green depending on the amount of chromium and vanadium replacing aluminum.
Trifan is another jewelry variety, the color of which varies from colorless to light yellow. Trifan owes this palette to the inclusions of iron.

A crystal of nearly colorless kunzite (top left), a processed stone of pale pink kunzite (top right), and a crystal of greenish hiddenite (bottom).
Occasionally, stones of blue or dark blue color are found, which are called nuristanite after the place of discovery - the Afghan province of Nuristan.

Also read: Tektite – formed after the collision of the Earth and a meteorite

Chemical composition

Chemical theoretical composition: Li2O - 8.03, Al2O3 - 27.39, SiO2 - 64.58. The composition of natural spodumene is fairly constant. The content of impurities in it usually does not exceed 2% and only in rare samples enriched with iron (up to 2.75% Fe2O3) reaches 5.0%. Li is replaced by Na, K, H3O+, possibly H+, as well as Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe2+; Al is replaced by Fe3+. It is assumed that a small part of Si can be replaced by Al, and O—OH,” F- and Cl-. Some spodumenes contain (in%): Rb2O - 0.008, Cs2O - 0.056, Ga2O3 - 0.08, SnO - 0.15. In aqueous extracts from gas-liquid inclusions of spodumene, HCO3, SO42-, Cl-, Ca, Mg, Na were found, and in the dry residue of their filtrate - Li, K (a lot), Mn, Ni, Pb (a lot), Si, Al.

Varieties

Kunzite - kunzite - transparent, pale pink to deep purple, highly dichroic. Named after G. Kunz, who first discovered it in the Pala deposit (California, USA). Synonyms: Spodumene-amethyst - spodumenamethyst (Köchlin, 1928), kunzitite - kunzitite. Forms crystals, less often - areas in crystals of opaque spodumene. The unit cell parameters, X-ray axial ratio and crystal morphology are similar to those of spodumene. Hiddenite - hiddenite - bright green, emerald green, yellow-green, light green. Named after W. Gidden (Smith, 1881, after Dana, 1911). An outdated synonym is spodumensmaragd, spodumenemerald (Köchlin, 1928). Brazilian Hiddenite is used as a gemstone.

Medicinal properties

Lithotherapists value spodumene for its rare medicinal properties that help overcome many diseases. Nature has endowed the mineral with the following abilities:

strengthen the immune system, making the body more resilient and more resistant to viruses;
strengthen the heart muscle, improve blood supply to the heart, which helps cope with many heart diseases;
resist stress, depression, insomnia;
help with joint pain and headaches;
restore the body after surgery.

Many specialists in the field of stone therapy claim that spodumene helps women who cannot get pregnant for a long time. A ring with this stone will not only help you conceive a child in the shortest possible time, but will also affect the favorable course of pregnancy and childbirth, helping the baby to be born healthy.

The mineral is useful during the development of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), as it minimizes the development of the disease. For people suffering from neuroses and sleep disorders, the gem helps them sleep soundly and wake up pleasantly.

Spodumene Crystal

Giddenite

Giddenite, which is also sometimes called lithium emerald, has a pronounced green tint among other minerals of the group. Sometimes its crystals are confused with emerald and chrysoberyl, which Hiddenite actually resembles. It received its name in honor of the American mineralogist Gidden, in whose mines it was first discovered at the end of the 19th century. There are several criteria for classifying giddenite as a separate subspecies of this group: some mineralologists consider only stones mined in the USA, in the city of Giddenite, to be giddenites, others call spodumene with an admixture of chromium giddenites. But its main difference is its color, green with a varied range of shades. Gray, brown and grey-brown specimens are very rare.

It is mainly used in jewelry. However, the stone is very fragile and difficult for craftsmen to work with, who cut it with diamond and emerald cuts, emphasizing the effect of pleochroism.

Kunzite

Jewelry with giddenites is an infrequent guest on jewelry counters precisely because of the difficulty in processing it. Most often, products from it are made to order, framing giddenite crystals with gold.

Magic properties

The main magical purpose of spodumene is to serve as a protector of a person, protecting its owner from any meanness that ill-wishers have in store. In addition, the gem not only reveals impending danger, but also warns the owner about it.

Important! Spodumene knows how to signal lies, meanness, betrayal, deceit, and anger directed at the owner of the nugget. Therefore, it is worth periodically taking a closer look at the appearance of the talisman - if the mineral has become dull and has lost its unique shine, then it is time to analyze the latest events. Take a closer look at your surroundings to avoid the tricks of people who exude negativity towards you.

Esotericists recommend spodumene as a powerful children's amulet. This stone is able to protect the most naive and gullible inhabitants on earth. Children, like no one else, need energy protection. In addition, an amulet made of spodumene will protect the little man from injuries and mood swings.

In addition to its protective properties, the spodumene crystal can attract good luck and prosperity to the owner, making a person’s life happier. The main thing that the mineral teaches is fortitude, despite life’s troubles. Thanks to the gem, a person understands that problems cannot be solved by hysterics, panic, or splashing out unnecessary emotions. Therefore, having such a talisman, you can increase your intuitive, intellectual abilities, as well as spiritually grow above yourself.

Areas of use

Spodumene is a multifunctional mineral. In the world of magic, the stone is used to make amulets, and in lithotherapy - as a powerful healer of many diseases. But the list of significance of the nugget does not end there.

Jewelry industry

Spodumene is not a rare mineral. Therefore, the number of beautiful specimens of different colors and degrees of transparency is enough for jewelers to create entire collections of jewelry with inserts of any variety of this gem.

Since spodumene is very fragile, only a true master of his craft can process and cut the stone. Often during processing, gem crystals crack. Incorrect cutting results in discoloration of the sample. But the thickness of the insert directly affects the color saturation.

Science and technology

The scientific world knows spodumene as the main source of lithium. The mineral is also in demand in glass making, being a ceramic raw material for the manufacture of various types of glass. In addition, lithium nugget is an indispensable component of batteries and pyrotechnics. Nuclear power engineers, as well as doctors, have heard about the stone.

Where are spodumenes used?

Depending on the conditions of the raw material, spodumene has found application in industry and beauty.

Jewelry

The main area of use of spodumene is jewelry:

They are loved for their premium quality at a reasonable price. Craftsmen create a full range of jewelry with spodumene.
The best setting for a stone is considered to be gold of a suitable color. For kunzites, for example, it is pink.
Tea-colored and bluish stones are the most sought after. Refined natures prefer violet and greenery.

Professional cutting makes spodumenes similar to amethysts, topazes, and emeralds.

Other areas

Substandard jewelry is used in industrial production:

as a source of lithium;
battery component;
for pyrotechnics.

The mineral is also in demand in thermonuclear energy, the glass industry, and medicine.

Jewelry with mineral

The range of goods in Russian stores is impressive - they sell ready-made jewelry, collectibles, as well as handmade materials.

Spodumene in jewelry is framed in silver or multi-colored gold, emphasizing the shade of the stone. For example, for kunzite, the most suitable setting is rose gold. Silver jewelry ranges from several thousand rubles, and gold jewelry is valued at tens of thousands of rubles.

Raw stone samples are also available for sale, costing from $500 to $10,000, depending on the variety and size. Kunzite is considered the most expensive, spodumene tumbling is the most affordable.

Earrings

Pendant

Ring

Form of being in nature

The appearance of crystals . The crystals are prismatic, often flattened along a (100), with vertical shading. Well-formed crystals are rare. Large crystals usually have deep grooves and projections. Some crystals are deformed; individual faces and planes (100) are sometimes curved. Under a microscope, in the (100) plane, an alternation of deformed and undeformed blocks, almost parallel to (001), is visible. The plank appearance of spodumene crystals flattened along (100) is explained by sliding along the individual (100) plane.

Doubles by (100), 2-4 individuals are distinguishable, rarely more. Intergrowths of spodumene with quartz formed along it are known; spodumene intergrown with quartz may also be a product of petalite decomposition.

Aggregates. Crystals (from fractions of a millimeter to 15 m), grains, their intergrowths, rarely radial, lamellar-columnar, shell-like and fibrous aggregates; pseudomorphs and oriented intergrowths with quartz on petalite.

Care instructions

Spodumene belongs to the category of hard, but brittle minerals. Therefore, falls, impacts, and the proximity of other gems during storage are contraindicated for the stone. Prolonged exposure to bright light is also undesirable - the mineral loses its colors. Products must be used with care and stored in a separate container.

Cleaning with household chemicals is also not acceptable. To avoid permanent contamination, spodumene is cleaned after each use. For cleaning, regular warm running water is sufficient.

Links[edit]

Koontz, George Frederick (1892). Gemstones and Gemstones of North America
. New York: Scientific Publishing Company.
Palache, K., Davidson, S.K., and Goranson, E.A. (1930). "Hiddenite Mine in Alexander County, North Carolina." American Mineralogist
Vol. 15 No. 8 p. 280
Webster, R. (2000). Gems: Their Sources, Descriptions and Identification
(5th ed.), pp. 186–190. UK: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Key Players in Quebec Lithium Market, Daily News, The Northern Miner
. August 11, 2010

How to spot a fake

Instead of spodumene, unscrupulous sellers offer cheap quartz, synthetic analogues or glass. You can recognize natural spodumene or its variety based on the properties of the natural mineral:

Cold. A glass or synthetic fake will quickly heat up in your hands.
Pleochroism. The play of color is characteristic of most spodumene samples, but is absent in synthetics or glass.
Coloring. Natural gems are endowed with a natural color, which cannot be said about an artificially colored fake.

Only a specialist can determine 100% the naturalness of a nugget, so it is better to purchase products with natural minerals in trusted stores that supply the products with the appropriate documentation.

Technical specifications

The properties of spodumene are equivalent to the possibilities of silicate formation based on aluminum and lithium. Possessing significant hardness, the mineral is a brittle stone. It is absolutely inert to an acidic environment, but is capable of transformation due to heat treatment. In nature, nuggets are found in the form of crystals of non-standard shape. In some cases, duplicate specimens with a granular structure can be found. The raw material can have significant dimensions and significant weight.

Exciting discoveries have been made through studying the optical capabilities of the mineral. Depending on the type of lighting, as well as when scanning with X-rays, the color of the nugget may change.

If you heat a stone to a temperature of 220-500 degrees, you can observe radiological and photoluminescence, as well as a similar thermal type phenomenon.

Astrological compatibility

A universal mineral that is universal in everything. Spodumene will not harm anyone, as it is compatible with any person, regardless of the zodiac sign. However, a stone born of Earth and Fire quickly establishes a connection with its elemental brothers.

(“+++” – the stone fits perfectly, “+” – can be worn, “-” – is strictly contraindicated):

Zodiac sign	Compatibility
Aries	+++
Taurus	+
Twins	+
Cancer	+
a lion	+
Virgo	+++
Scales	+
Scorpion	+
Sagittarius	+++
Capricorn	+
Aquarius	+
Fish	+

Virgo. For Virgo men, the priority is to strengthen the sense of responsibility and care for family. For women, the talisman promises the awakening of the instinct of mother and housewife, also helping on a physical level to bear and give birth to a healthy baby. Virgo children need a stone in order to learn to love, appreciate, and enjoy life.
Calf. The amulet will help women find a life partner, as well as answers to difficult life questions. Taurus men will become adventurers in the positive sense of the word. Children born of Taurus will be protected from negativity, learning compassion and respect from an early age.
Capricorn. Spodumene will help a Capricorn child find new friends and new interests. Women of this sign will look at the world differently, doing bold things unusual for them. Men can easily identify a priority goal, receiving an unexpectedly good result at the finish line. The main condition for the unshakable spirit of Capricorn is the frequent wearing of the gem.
Aries. An amulet made of stone directs the best qualities of Aries in the right direction, while turning the worst character traits into advantages. Women will become luckier and stronger in spirit, and children will grow up to be good people.
Leo will always be in a good mood and learn self-control. The talisman will enhance the qualities of family men. The mineral will teach a woman to be a compromise, even more charming, seeing only good things around her. The nugget will protect children from injury, and will also lay the foundations of decency and obedience.
Sagittarius. The stone will protect children from injury, make women wiser, and open up new opportunities for men. The talisman will strengthen the necessary qualities, protect from negative energy, and support emotions at a positive level.

Also read: Corundum is a rare and precious mineral

Spodumene will bring no less to other signs:

Cancers will learn to understand themselves, to make bold decisions that are doomed to success.
For Gemini, the gem will help smooth out unpleasant situations, control emotions, and also not lose heart.
Scorpios will learn to believe in their own happiness, become intellectually and intuitively developed, independent, and richer.
The Aquarius amulet will charge you with positivity, which will be enough not only for Aquarius himself. This nugget is responsible for inner harmony and helps to express emotions when appropriate.
The nugget gives Pisces confidence and communication skills, helping to successfully complete tasks.
Libra will feel the support of the stone in the most difficult situations, creating a barrier to stress.

In addition to astrological compatibility, spodumene patronizes men and women with specific names. These rare names:

Bella.
Venus.
Makar.
Benjamin.
Laetitia.
Felix, Arkady.
Taisiya.
Bertha.

In addition to these names, the gem also likes Rada, Maximilian, Tikhon, Efrosinya, Arkady, Milena.

Is this stone right for you?

Giddenite for zodiac signs

The elements of spodumene are Earth and Fire . Therefore, it suits the same zodiac signs:

Aries will strengthen their commercial spirit and will always be on the wave of luck.
Leos will become more charismatic and resilient.
Taurus will improve their career, especially if they themselves make an effort to do so.
Giddenite will help Sagittarius in any area of life, but it is better to wear it hidden from prying eyes.
Virgos will become more balanced, calm, and will make the right decisions. Stones of a yellow or green hue will especially contribute to this.
Capricorn will emphasize his prudence, responsibility and hard work. Such qualities will be difficult for management to ignore.

Other signs will also be able to feel the positive influence of the mineral. For example, Gemini will be more courageous in carrying out their plans, and Cancer will be able to improve relationships with loved ones.

Aquarius and Pisces will improve the main areas of life and reveal their positive traits.

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Publication from SAMSE PSYCHOLOGIST (@murashkina_elen) May 17, 2022 at 5:16 PDT

Neutral spodumene interacts with the energy of Libra and Scorpio : the stone can only serve them as a decorative element.

Interesting Facts

The state of South Dakota, in the United States, is famous for the discovery of the largest specimen of spodumene, which was twelve meters long and weighed 90 tons. The opening is dated 1914.

Russia's largest spodumene deposit is located on the Kola Peninsula, whose pegmatite veins contain half of the country's lithium reserves.

Figurines made from kunzite are a universal amulet for the home and its inhabitants. It is this variety of spodumene that will get along with everyone, regardless of astrological affiliation.

5/5 — (2 votes)

Notes[edit]

^ B spodumene, Mindat.org
^ab Anthony, John W., Bidot, Richard A., Blood, Kenneth W. and Nichols, Monte C. (1990). Handbook of Mineralogy
. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, Arizona
Hurlbut, Cornelius S.; Klein, Cornelis, 1985, Manual of Mineralogy
, 20th ed., ISBN 0-471-80580-7
^ab Deere, Howie and Zussman, Rock Forming Minerals
, vol. 2 Chain Silicates, Wiley, 1963, pp. 92-98
Schwartz, G. (1928). "Black Hills Mineral Region". American mineralogist
.
13
: 56–63.
Robert Louis Bonewitz, 2005, Rock and Gem
, London, Dorling Kindersley
"Forecast price of spodumene concentrate for 2022". Statista
. July 21, 2016. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022.
Carrie Shea, Delilah Ouerghi (October 5, 2020). “Demand for pick-up stops falling prices for spodumene | Metal Bulletin.com". www.metalbulletin.com
. Archived from the original on October 11, 2022.
"Lithium Resources and Energy Quarterly" (PDF). December 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 22, 2022.
"Greenbushes Lithium Mine". Capital of the Golden Dragon
. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
Jaskula, Brian W. (January 2020). "2020 Minerals Review" (PDF). US Geological Survey
. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
State Visit to India: HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, madhattery.com