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)

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spodumene

PLS dug up a record 232,400 tons of spodumene concentrate in 3Q.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 27, 2026

This sees annual production increase to 595,000 tons of spodumene concentrate, before a further uplift to 700,000 tons from 2030.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 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

Kunzite, like all spodumene, has a pronounced cleavage.

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

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