Bronzite

Bronzite is an interesting mineral, very similar to Enstatite or Hypersthene. It is usually sold polished, as it shows off the schiller and shine of the stone.

Bronzite is a mixture of browns, blacks, and golds, sometimes with some clear or white patches.

Showing all 2 results

Appearance, Uses and History

Bronzite is a member of the Pyroxene group of minerals, specifically an iron-bearing variant of Enstatite.

The iron inclusions have given it an unusual bronze-like luster, showing a metallic shiller. This has led to its common use as a decorative stone, including jewellery usage as cabochons, and beads.


Locales

Bronzite occurs in Austria, Brazil, Czechia, England, Greenland, India, South Africa, and the USA.


Mineralogy

Chemistry
An Iron bearing variety of Enstatite, with the formula (Mg,Fe)2Si2O6.
Colours and Variations
Brown, gold, yellow, greenish-brown, various shades of brown, gold, yellow.
Streak
White or brownish.
Luster
Vitreous, metallic, submetallic
Fracture
Uneven
Crystal habit
Orthorhombic
Mohs hardness
5.5
Specific Gravity
3.30 – 3.45
Easiest testing method
Visual examination
Common Treatments
N/A

Hazards and Warnings

 

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.
When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.


Translations

Arabic:

  • برونزايت

Hindi:

Portuguese:

Bengali:

Indonesian:

  • bronzit

Punjabi:

English:

Italian:

Russian:

  • бронзит

French:

Japanese:

  • ブロンズ鉱

Spanish:

  • broncita

German:

  • bronzit

Korean:

  • 브론 자이 트

Thai:

Gujurati:

Mandarin and Traditional Chinese:

  • 銅礦

Urdu:

  • برونزائٹ

Further Reading / External Links