CaNaMgFeAlSi2O6

CaNaMgFeAlSi₂O₆ is a complex silicate mineral belonging to the pyroxene group, characterized by its variable chemical composition and crystal structure. It is a solid solution series, meaning its exact chemical formula can vary depending on the proportions of its constituent elements: calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), and oxygen (O). This mineral typically forms under high-temperature and pressure conditions, often found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.

The structure of CaNaMgFeAlSi₂O₆ is based on single chains of silicon-oxygen tetrahedra, linked by divalent and trivalent cations such as magnesium, iron, calcium, and aluminum. This arrangement gives pyroxenes their characteristic elongated crystal habit and cleavage. The mineral exhibits a range of colors, including shades of green, brown, black, and sometimes pink or white, depending on its composition and impurities.

CaNaMgFeAlSi₂O₆ is commonly associated with volcanic and plutonic rocks, such as basalt, gabbro, and diorite. It may also occur in metamorphic environments, particularly in high-grade schists and gneisses. Due to its variable chemistry, this mineral can serve as an indicator of the geological processes that formed the host rock, including partial melting, fractional crystallization, and metamorphic reactions.

In mineralogy, CaNaMgFeAlSi₂O₆ is often studied alongside other pyroxene varieties, such as diopside (CaMgSi₂O₆) and augite (Ca(Mg,Fe,Al)(Al,Si)₂O₆), to understand the broader behavior of silicate minerals under different conditions. Its presence in planetary materials, including meteorites, also makes it relevant to planetary science, where it helps researchers infer the thermal and chemical history of celestial bodies.