Clinoenstatite

Clinoenstatite is a mineral belonging to the pyroxene group. Its chemical formula is MgSiO3, meaning it is a magnesium silicate. Clinoenstatite is the monoclinic polymorph of enstatite, which is orthorhombic. It is a relatively rare mineral, often found in meteorites, particularly in chondrites. It can also occur in terrestrial mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks that have undergone high-temperature metamorphism.

The crystal structure of clinoenstatite features chains of SiO4 tetrahedra linked by magnesium ions. It typically forms as small, prismatic crystals or as granular aggregates. Its color is usually colorless to pale green or brown. Clinoenstatite has a Mohs hardness of around 5.5 to 6 and a specific gravity of approximately 3.2 to 3.3.

In meteorites, clinoenstatite is often found associated with other silicate minerals like olivine and plagioclase. Its presence can provide clues about the thermal history and formation conditions of these extraterrestrial objects. On Earth, it is more commonly found in metamorphic environments where it forms under specific pressure and temperature conditions. While clinoenstatite itself is not economically significant, its occurrence in certain geological settings can be of interest to mineralogists and petrologists studying rock formation and evolution.