Sizes will vary 20 - 22mm
Bronzite is a mineral belonging to the magnesium endmember of the pyroxene silicate mineral series enstatite (MgSiO3) most commonly found in rock-forming minerals found in igneous and metamorphic rocks with a hardness of 5 to 6 and has an orthorhombic crystal system.
It is composed of rare short, greenish-brown to black prismatic crystals in the form of irregular grains or compact masses. It is translucent with a bronzed submetallic luster. The higher its iron content, the faster it will melt. It is acid resistant.
It differs from stones of the same mineral family in that it contains a large amount of iron and magnesium silicate. Scientifically, it is an altered enstatite. The “variety” of this stone includes about 12 to 30% iron oxide. With golden glints, it results from the meteorological and geological conditions acting on the iron and silica composing the stone.
It can be polished round or cabochon shaped and can have a style called “cat’s eye”, characterized by a beautiful gold glittery reflection that glides across the surface of the stone, depending on the direction of artificial light or sunlight. This brown stone’s luster varies from pearly to pale. It is an intermediate variety of enstatite and hypersthene, obtained by the alteration of the latter, having the same chemical composition. The difference between the two lies in their crystalline system.
The most important deposits are in Austria, Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Burma.