Hypersthene
Enstatite
Hypersthene is a common mineral in the pyroxene group that rarely forms distinct crystals. Hypersthene is similar in appearance to hornblende, but it is a harder material. Since the hardness difference was the main way to tell the stones apart the Greek words “hyper” meaning above and “stenos” meaning power gave the inspiration for the name. It is usually brown, green, or gray with vitreous to pearly luster and displays a brilliant coppery metallic surface sheen.
General Information
LWUV: inert
Hypersthene Colors
-
Brown -
Brown -
Gray -
Green
Alternate Names
Enstatite, Ferroan Enstatite,
Countries of Origin
Papua New Guinea; Malaysia; Portugal; Iceland; Austria; El Salvador; Korea (the Republic of); Unknown; Brazil; Tonga; Argentina; South Sudan; Japan; Ukraine; Belarus; Bolivia (Plurinational State of); India; New Zealand; Canada; Turkey; Namibia; Finland; Italy; South Africa; Antarctica; Peru; Germany; Yemen; Russian Federation; Czechia; United States of America; Madagascar; Thailand; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Libya; Saudi Arabia; Sweden; Pakistan; China; Ireland; Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; Poland; Slovakia; France; Lithuania; Tunisia; Spain; Mauritania; Norway; Denmark; Mexico; Uganda; Suriname; Australia; Greenland; Indonesia
Care
Moderately soft, so be mindful of scratching. Requires gentle handling.