spodumene

American  

[spoj-oo-meen] / ˈspɒdʒ ʊˌmin /

noun

1. a mineral, lithium aluminum silicate, LiAlSi 2 O 6 , occurring in prismatic crystals, transparent varieties being used as gems.

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spodumene British  

/ ˈspɒdjʊˌmiːn /

noun

1. 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

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Etymology

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)

Example Sentences

Currently, it has an expected annual output of some 380,000 metric tons of spodumene concentrate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

That follows a rise in spodumene prices, which have more than doubled since mid-October, Whelan says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

One report this month said that the price of spodumene had hit its lowest level since August 2021.

From BBC • Sep. 25, 2024

Given that price differential, Australian mining firms have unsurprisingly been moving to build their own lithium refineries instead of just exporting almost all spodumene, as is the case currently.

From BBC • Sep. 25, 2024

Kunzite, like all spodumene, has a pronounced cleavage.

From A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public by Wade, Frank Bertram