Hypersthene is an iron-rich pyroxene mineral noted for its distinct submetallic, bronzy luster on cleavage planes. It commonly appears in massive forms within igneous rocks and is a popular choice for lapidary work due to its attractive chatoyancy when cut as cabochons.
Is this hypersthene?
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 hypersthene with a known reference. Hypersthene 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. Hypersthene leaves a greyish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hypersthene typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown, dark green, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, lamellar, or prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Hypersthene vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hypersthene leaves greyish-white, Bronzite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hypersthene leaves greyish-white, Enstatite leaves white; luster reads submetallic on Hypersthene and vitreous on Enstatite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hypersthene leaves greyish-white, Augite leaves grayish white; luster reads submetallic on Hypersthene and vitreous on Augite.
Often found alongside hypersthene
Minerals reported to co-occur with hypersthene. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mg,Fe)₂Si₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 3.4-3.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Greyish-white
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Lamellar, Or Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect in Two Directions At Right Angles
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Igneous Rocks Including Norite, Gabbro, And Basalt
- Typical price
- $5-50 for hand specimens or polished slabs
Where rockhounds find hypersthene
Classic worldwide localities
- Labrador, Canada
- Arendal, Norway
- Adirondack Mountains, USA
- Madagascar
- Bavaria, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in igneous rocks including norite, gabbro, and basalt country, the host setting where hypersthene typically forms. If you start seeing labradorite, magnetite, oligoclase in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, lamellar, or prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find hypersthene on the map
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