Enstatite is a magnesium-rich pyroxene that typically occurs in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks as well as high-grade metamorphic terrains. Collectors should look for its distinctive prismatic crystal habit and cleavage angles that differentiate it from other common pyroxenes like diopside.
Is this enstatite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch enstatite with a known reference. Enstatite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Enstatite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Enstatite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, brown, gray, white, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive, granular, fibrous.
Often confused with
Enstatite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Enstatite and submetallic on Bronzite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Enstatite leaves white, Hypersthene leaves greyish-white; luster reads vitreous on Enstatite and submetallic on Hypersthene.
Often found alongside enstatite
Minerals reported to co-occur with enstatite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₂Si₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 3.2-3.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive, Granular, Fibrous
- Cleavage
- Good in Two Directions At 90 Degrees
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Gemstone, Ornamental
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Igneous Rocks and Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- $10-50 per carat for gem quality, $5-30 for specimens
Where rockhounds find enstatite
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Tanzania
- Sri Lanka
- India
- USA
- Myanmar
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks country, the host setting where enstatite typically forms. If you start seeing olivine, diopside, phlogopite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive, granular, fibrous habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Kentucky, North Carolina. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find enstatite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
