spodumene

[spoj-oo-meen]

noun

a mineral, lithium aluminum silicate, LiAlSi2O6, occurring in prismatic crystals, transparent varieties being used as gems.

Origin of spodumene

1795–1805; < French spodumène < German Spodumen < Greek spodoúmenos, present participle of spodoûsthai to be burned to ashes (derivative of spodós wood ash)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for spodumene

Historical Examples of spodumene

In 1881 J. Lawrence Smith proved it to be spodumene, and named it.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4
Various
After quartz come corundum (Oriental amethyst), spinel (almandine spinel), garnet (almandine), and spodumene (variety kunzite).
A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public
Frank Bertram Wade
Spodumene, of which Kunzite is a variety, cleaves almost too easily to be durable.
A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public
Frank Bertram Wade
The stone was said to be spodumene, of a very high class, and had a a lilac tint theretofore unknown.
The Heritage of the Hills
Arthur P. Hankins
Spodumene gems always are found in pockets in the rock, and they are always hidden in wet clay in these pockets.
The Heritage of the Hills
Arthur P. Hankins

British Dictionary definitions for spodumene

spodumene

noun

a greyish-white, green, or lilac pyroxene mineral consisting of lithium aluminium silicate in monoclinic crystalline form. It is an important ore of lithium and is used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics and as a gemstone. Formula: LiAlSi 2 O 6

Word Origin for spodumene

C19: from French spodumène, from German Spodumen, from Greek spodoumenos, from spodousthai to be burnt to ashes, from spodos wood ash

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012