ENSTATITE
Specimen ens-2

Dims: 1.4 x 1.0 x 0.3" (3.6 x 2.6 x 0.8 cm)

Wt: 7 g

Iwate Prefecture, Japan

A few flat sprays of fibrous, radiating Enstatite crystals rest on the black base of this small hand specimen. The crystals that make up these sprays do not exceed 0.3" (8 mm) in length and are generally in good condition, though some of the sprays appear to be damaged. All have a dull yellow-white color and a dull, pearly-to-waxy luster. There seems to be some more massive material on one side of the base rock.

Dims: 0.84x0.41x0.39" (2.13x1.03x0.98cm)

Wt: 0.20oz (5.7g)

Gairo, Tanzania

This is a single crystal of enstatite. It is light brown, transparent, and vitreous. The prismatic crystal has an octagonal cross section, and one end appears to have a natural termination, although it is weathered and difficult to discern. The other end is flat and weathered - perhaps an old basal cleavage. The surface is mostly rough, and some areas have weathered/altered to black and opaque.