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Spodumene

An important source of high-purity lithium and a gemstone with collector appeal

Article by: Hobart M. King, PhD, RPG

What is Spodumene?

Spodumene is a pyroxene mineral that is typically found in lithium-rich pegmatites. It is usually associated with other lithium minerals such as lepidolite, eucryptite, and petalite. Spodumene has a chemical composition of LiAlSi2O6 but small amounts of sodium sometimes substitute for lithium.

Throughout most of the 20th century, spodumene was the most important ore of lithium metal. Lithium brines discovered in South America and other locations have become a more important source of lithium metal.

Spodumene is also used as a gemstone, and in that use the color variety names of the mineral are used. Pink to purple spodumene is known as kunzite, green spodumene is known as hiddenite, and yellow spodumene is known as triphane.

The perfect cleavage of spodumene makes it a fragile gem for use in rings and any jewelry that might be exposed to abrasion and impact. It is considered a 'collector gem' by some gemologists.

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Enormous Crystals

Spodumene often occurs in extremely large crystals. One of the earliest accounts of large spodumene crystals is from the Etta Mines, Black Hills, Pennington County, South Dakota. The United States Geological Survey, Bulletin 610 reports:

"The crystals are often of enormous size. In the Etta Mine, where they are best exposed both in the open cut and tunnel, they frequently attain a diameter of 3 to 4 feet and a length of 30 feet. The largest "log" so far found was 42 feet long and 5 feet 4 inches in maximum diameter. This one log alone would yield 90 tons of spodumene." [1]

Physical Properties of Spodumene

Chemical Classification Silicate Color White, gray, colorless, yellow, green, blue, lilac, pink, brown. Sometimes pleochroic Streak White, colorless Luster Vitreous, pearly Diaphaneity Transparent to translucent Cleavage Perfect in two directions with parting Mohs Hardness 6.5 to 7 Specific Gravity 3.1 to 3.3 Diagnostic Properties Prismatic crystals with strong striations parallel to their principal axis. Perfect cleavage. Chemical Composition LiAl(SiO3)2 Crystal System Monoclinic Uses Gemstones (kunzite, hiddenite, triphane). Once the most important source of lithium metal.

Spodumene as an Ore of Lithium

Spodumene once served as the most important ore of lithium metal. It was very costly to liberate lithium from the silicate mineral; however, lithium refined from spodumene was of very high purity. In the late s, subsurface brines with high concentrations of lithium were developed in Argentina, Chile, China and other locations. These brines could be pumped to the surface, allowed to evaporate, and lithium was easily processed from the evaporite material.

As lithium-rich brine deposits were developed, the more costly use of spodumene as an ore of lithium declined. At times, the demand for lithium has exceeded what can be produced from working brine deposits. In those times spodumene can become an important source of lithium metal.

Spodumene as a Gemstone

Spodumene sometimes occurs in transparent crystals in pastel shades of pink, purple, green, and yellow. These have been cut into gemstones that are prized by collectors. However, their use in jewelry is limited to pieces that will be subject to limited abuse because of spodumene's perfect cleavage.

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Kunzite

Pink to lilac specimens of gem-quality spodumene are highly prized and known as "kunzite". The color of these specimens is attributed to the presence of manganese as a chromophore. Kunzite is the most commonly encountered spodumene gem.

Many specimens of kunzite are strongly pleochroic, with the deepest color observed when the gem is viewed down the principal axis. To take full advantage of this phenomenon, gemstones are usually cut with their tables perpendicular to the principal axis to yield stones of the deepest color.

Hiddenite

Emerald-green spodumene is known as "Hiddenite." Its vivid green color is very similar to emerald and is attributed to the presence of chromium as a chromophore. It is the rarest gem variety of spodumene. It was first found near the town of White Plains, North Carolina, which changed its name to "Hiddenite" after the popular gemstone that attracted people to the area.

Triphane

Spodumene rarely occurs in a yellow color. However, some yellow spodumene can be of gem quality, and it has been cut into faceted and cabochon gems. These gems have been given the name 'triphane'.

It should be noted that 'triphane' is one of the early names used for spodumene. It can be encountered in mineralogical writings from the s and early s. Any use of the word 'triphane' from that era is referring to spodumene as a mineral because gemological use of the word did not begin until the late s.

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Treatment of Gem-Quality Spodumene

Some gem-quality spodumene will develop a richer color when heated or irradiated. These procedures have been applied to many gems that enter the marketplace. Some of these will fade over time when exposed to direct sunlight. Valuable spodumene gems of any color should be stored away from direct light.

Did You Know? Lithium is an active ingredient in some medications. Salts of lithium are used in medication for bipolar disorder. The lithium contributes to a "mood-stabilizing" effect. One product has been named "Lithium." Image copyright iStockphoto / Paige Foster.

Demand for Spodumene

The demand for spodumene is dependent upon the use of lithium in manufacturing. In the past, most lithium compounds and minerals were used to produce ceramics, glass, aluminum alloys, and high-temperature grease. However, in the last two decades an exploding demand for rechargeable batteries to power vehicles, cell phones, tablet computers, cameras, music players, GPS units, and other portable electronic devices is driving the demand for high-purity lithium - and that drives the demand for spodumene.

Lithium batteries have a much higher charge-to-weight ratio and power-to-weight ratio than lead/acid and zinc carbon cells. This has increased the demand for lithium as a battery metal. However, the use of batteries to power vehicles has resulted in an enormous amount of research related to battery metals. It is possible that lithium could be replaced by another battery metal such as cobalt.

Spodumene Information [1] Mineralogic Notes, Series 3: Waldemar Schaller, Gigantic Crystals of Spodumene, United States Geological Survey, Bulletin 610, .

[2] Lithium: Brian W. Jaskula, United States Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January .

[3] Lithium: Brian W. Jaskula, United States Geological Survey, Minerals Yearbook, September .

 

Spodumene Healing Crystals

Spodumene Crystal Meaning
Spodumene is the geological name for this mineral. When the crystal is pink it is referred to as Kunzite, when it is green or yellow it is called Hiddenite, when it is clear its called Spodumene. It has the same qualities as Kunzite but on a slightly higher vibrational level moving the understanding of the crystal more towards the ALL THAT IS, just past the unconditional love it is pink kunzite. Therefore Clear spodumene represents the Clearing aspect of the three in its cardial form. Release, acceptance, allowance, letting go and at the same time safe in the knowledge that joining the ALL THAT IS, only requires a lose of ego control, not even the ego need dissipate, only the need for control.

The crystal can be used to complete a phase a learning and is therefore linked to the Kabala at the path of Dath and Kether. The reason for the journey unveiled and the journey ending, hence the crystal association with ending of cycles, addiction and recurring patterns.

Spodumene is excellent for achieving deep, meditative states, allowing for a connection with the Divine and a deep sense of peace.  This particular variety of Spodumene focuses on the Crown Chakra and transmits energy down into the Third-Eye, Throat, and Heart Chakras. 

Holding Spodumene helps to clear away negativity by raising vibrational levels of the various subtle bodies, and by connecting one to Universal Love. When in need of clarification on a matter, meditate with high vibe Spodumene, which will open the mind for a clearer perspective of any situation. Spodumene also stimulates creativity and aligns all of the Chakras simultaneously.

Hiddenite (Pakistan)
In addition to the properties of Kunzite, this mineral helps to stimulate the intellect and the loving side of ones nature.... prompts connection with the other worlds and.. for clarity in the transfer of knowledge... can provide insight when diagnosing disorder of the physical body.

Kunzite
From Love is In The Earth by Melody: "This mineral activates the heart chakra and aligns the heart chakra with the throat chakra and the third eye. ...Just holding this tone produces the feeling of a powerful peace, gently penetrating the inner core of ones being. It connects one to the infinite source of love, providing for purifications on all levels. ... It is an excellent stone for those who are not totally relaxed when expressing the emotions of the heart space.   It dissolves negativity.... It assists one in attaining deep meditative states

History: A member of the Spodumene family with lithium. Pink, clear in color (the green version is called Hiddenite). Kunzite (LiAlSi2O6) gets its color from manganese. Kunzite has been dubbed the evening stone due to the fact that it fades in bright sunlight. In addition to being pleochroic, it is sometimes phosphorescent.