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Spodumene Stone
Chemical Formula: LiAlSi2O6
Color: Colorless, yellow, green, pink, purple
Hardness: 6.5 - 7
Specific Gravity: 3.16 - 3.2
Spodumene is a green to pink or lilac shaded mineral that is used as a source of lithium and in transparent varieties as a gemstone. It is usually found as a constituent of lithium-rich pegmatites. Spodumene derives its name from the Greek, spodoumenos, and meaning, "burnt to ash".
Spodumene is worked as an ore of lithium, but it is most highly prized as a gem material. It exclusive varieties, the Kunzite (pink) and Hiddenite (green) are especially sought after. Spodumene is a beautiful gemstone and care needs to be taken to successfully cut a stone without encountering a problem with the cleavage planes of the stone.
