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Enstatite
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==Polymorphs and varieties== [[File:Enstatite-83152.jpg|thumb|left|Gem quality enstatite from Myanmar (size: 2.4Γ1.0Γ0.8 cm)]] Most natural [[crystal]]s are [[orthorhombic]] ([[space group]] P''bca'') although three [[polymorphism (materials science)|polymorphs]] are known. The high temperature, low pressure polymorphs are protoenstatite and protoferrosilite (also orthorhombic, space group P''bcn'') while the low temperature forms, clinoenstatite and clinoferrosilite, are [[monoclinic]] (space group P2''<sub>1</sub>/c''). [[Weathering|Weathered]] enstatite with a small amount of iron takes on a submetallic [[Lustre (mineralogy)|luster]] and a bronze-like color. This material is termed [[bronzite]], although it is more correctly called altered enstatite. Bronzite and hypersthene were known long before enstatite, which was first described by [[Gustav Adolph Kenngott|G. A. Kenngott]] in 1855.<ref name="EB1911">{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Enstatite|volume=9|page=654|first=Leonard James|last=Spencer|authorlink=Leonard James Spencer}}</ref> [[File:Enstatite-pas-146b.jpg|thumb|Bronzite variety from [[Bare Hills, Maryland|Bare Hills]], [[Baltimore County, Maryland]], USA (size: 9.6Γ7.5Γ4.9 cm)]] An emerald-green variety of enstatite is called chrome-enstatite and is cut as a [[gemstone]]. The green color is caused by traces of [[chromium]], hence the varietal name. In addition, black, chatoyant hypersthene and brownish bronzite are also used as semi-precious gemstones.
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