Chemical Formula:

CaMgSi₂O₆

Mineral Class:

Inosilicate

Crystal System:

Monoclinic

Symmetry:

2/m

Hardness:

5-6

Specific Gravity:

3.2-3.3

Cleavage:

{110} imperfect, {001} parting (frequent), {100} parting (less common)

Fracture:

Conchoidal

Color:

White, green

Streak:

Greenish-white

Luster:

Vitreous

Transparency:

Transparent/translucent

Common Habits:

Prismatic, blocky, granular

Other Properties:

Notable Localities:

Ural Mountins, Russia; Binnenthal, Switzerland; Piemonte, Italy

Uses:

Mineral specimen, rarely cut as a gemstone

Associated Minerals:

Forsterite, calcite, tremolite, scapolite, vesuvianite, garnet, titanite