pyroxene
Let an agent explain pyroxenes and their classification, relay structure, chemistry and occurrence from mineralogical references, describe their roles in petrology and planetary science, and distinguish pyroxenes from amphiboles, olivine and pyroxenoids.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain pyroxenes and their classification, relay structure, chemistry and occurrence from mineralogical references, describe their roles in petrology and planetary science, and distinguish pyroxenes from amphiboles, olivine and pyroxenoids.
A group of rock-forming inosilicate minerals with single chains of silica tetrahedra and the general formula XY(Si,Al)2O6, divided into orthopyroxenes such as enstatite and ferrohypersthene and clinopyroxenes such as diopside, augite, jadeite and spodumene, with rarer members including donpeacorite, ryabchikovite and colomeraite; pyroxenes are major constituents of basalt, gabbro, peridotite and many metamorphic rocks and of the Moon, Mars and meteorites.
What it is for: Not applicable; a mineral group.
It can be explain classification; relay structure and chemistry; describe occurrence and uses; distinguish from similar minerals.
Distinguishing features
Single tetrahedral chains
Near-90 degree cleavage
Ortho and clino series
Mafic rock constituent
What it looks like
Dark green to black prismatic crystals with two cleavages near 90 degrees.
Physical character
cleavage angle: about 87 and 93 degrees
hardness: 5-6.5 Mohs
general formula: XY(Si,Al)2O6 formula
How it is recognised
Single-chain silicate mineral group
Orthopyroxenes such as enstatite and ferrohypersthene; clinopyroxenes such as diopside, augite, jadeite; rare members such as donpeacorite
Amphiboles have double chains and cleavage near 56 and 124 degrees; olivine lacks cleavage; pyroxenoids have different chain geometry
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms
occurs in - and gabbro
is contrasted with - double-chain silicates
includes - a gem pyroxene
In practice
Families and kinds
orthopyroxenes such as enstatite, hypersthene and ferrohypersthene
calcium clinopyroxenes such as diopside, hedenbergite and augite
sodium clinopyroxenes such as jadeite and aegirine
lithium clinopyroxene spodumene
rare species such as donpeacorite, ryabchikovite and colomeraite
Identifiers
IMA pyroxene supergroup nomenclature
Strunz 9.DA inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains
Standards and regulation
IMA nomenclature for the pyroxene group
Gem trade standards for jadeite
Failure modes and hazards
Confusing pyroxenes with amphiboles
Outdated species names
Misidentifying jadeite and nephrite
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.pyroxene
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Understand What pyroxenes are.
Science.
Definition
Definition and structure.
Definition
Definition.
- What are pyroxenes, and how does their single-chain structure differ from amphiboles and pyroxenoids? definition
- Is the question about the group, a specific species or a look-alike mineral? boundary
Classification
Classification.
Classification
Classification.
- How are pyroxenes classified into ortho and clino series and by chemistry, including rare species? definition
- Which entry fits the specific species? action
Identify Identification.
Practice.
Field
Field identification.
Field
Field.
- How are pyroxenes identified by cleavage, colour, habit and thin section? action
- Which references are standard? provenance
Lab
Laboratory methods.
Lab
Lab.
- How are pyroxene compositions analysed and plotted on the quadrilateral? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Geology Occurrence and petrology.
Science.
Rocks
Rocks.
Rocks
Rocks.
- In which igneous and metamorphic rocks do pyroxenes occur, and what do they reveal about conditions? provenance
- Which entry fits the specific rock? action
Planets
Planetary science.
Planets
Planets.
- What role do pyroxenes play in lunar, Martian and meteorite mineralogy? provenance
- Which entry fits planetary geology? action
Context Uses and history.
Context.
Uses
Uses.
Uses
Uses.
- How are jadeite, spodumene and other pyroxenes used as gems and lithium ore? provenance
- Which entry fits spodumene? action
History
History.
History
History.
- How was the pyroxene group defined and named? provenance
- Which entry fits the history of mineralogy? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene be separate primary entries?
- How should mineralogical references be linked?
- The registry entry has merged aliases naming rare species; should they be split off?