spodumene

[ spoj-oo-meen ]

noun

1. a mineral, lithium aluminum silicate, LiAlSi 2 O 6 , occurring in prismatic crystals, transparent varieties being used as gems.

spodumene

/ ˈspɒdjʊˌmiːn /

noun

1. a greyish-white, green, or lilac pyroxene mineral consisting of lithium aluminium silicate in monoclinic crystalline form. It is an important ore of lithium and is used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics and as a gemstone. Formula: LiAlSi 2 O 6

Word History and Origins

Origin of spodumene¹

1795–1805; < French spodumène < German Spodumen < Greek spodoúmenos, present participle of spodoûsthai to be burned to ashes (derivative of spodós wood ash)

Word History and Origins

Origin of spodumene¹

C19: from French spodumène, from German Spodumen, from Greek spodoumenos, from spodousthai to be burnt to ashes, from spodos wood ash

Example Sentences

The stone was said to be spodumene, of a very high class, and had a a lilac tint theretofore unknown.

From Project Gutenberg

Spodumene gems always are found in pockets in the rock, and they are always hidden in wet clay in these pockets.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1881 J. Lawrence Smith proved it to be spodumene, and named it.

From Project Gutenberg

After quartz come corundum (Oriental amethyst), spinel (almandine spinel), garnet (almandine), and spodumene (variety kunzite).

From Project Gutenberg

Purple spodumene (kunzite) is pinkish to lilac in shade—usually pale, unless in large masses, and it shows very marked dichroism.

From Project Gutenberg