MgOSiO2

MgOSiO2, more commonly known as enstatite, is a mineral belonging to the pyroxene group. It is a solid solution series of magnesium silicate with the chemical formula MgSiO3. Enstatite is a major component of many silicate rocks, particularly ultramafic igneous rocks like peridotites and dunites. It is also found in some metamorphic rocks, such as granulites. The mineral crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and typically forms prismatic or granular crystals. Its color can range from colorless to white, gray, green, or brown, depending on the presence of impurities. The hardness of enstatite is typically between 5.5 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale, and it has a specific gravity of around 3.2 to 3.3. Enstatite is known for its relatively low refractive indices and its characteristic cleavage. It is an important indicator mineral in geology, providing clues about the formation conditions and composition of rocks. Variations in its chemical composition, such as the substitution of iron for magnesium, lead to other minerals within the orthopyroxene series, such as ferrosilite. Enstatite is generally considered an infusible mineral, meaning it does not readily melt under normal laboratory conditions.