clinopyroxene

mineral

Also known as: monoclinic pyroxene

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

Quick Summary

Clinopyroxene is a group of silicate minerals that are significant rock-forming components. They are characterized by their crystal structure, which involves single chains of linked silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons, and they crystallize in the monoclinic system. Clinopyroxenes are chemically analogous to amphiboles but lack hydroxyls in their structure.1

Key features of clinopyroxenes include:
* Composition: They are rich in calcium, magnesium, and iron, with a general formula of XYZ₂O₆.1
* Occurrence: Found in various igneous and metamorphic rocks, often at higher temperatures than amphiboles.12
* Distinction from Orthopyroxenes: While both are pyroxenes, orthopyroxenes crystallize in the orthorhombic system, whereas clinopyroxenes crystallize in the monoclinic system.13

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pyroxene
Crystal structure
…and monoclinic pyroxenes are called clinopyroxenes. The essential feature of all pyroxene structures is the linkage of the silicon-oxygen (SiO₄) tetrahedrons by sharing two of the four corners to form continuous chains. The chains, which extend indefinitely parallel to the ccrystallographic axis, have the composition of (SiO₃)_n(Figure 1). A repeat…
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…and monoclinic pyroxenes are called clinopyroxenes. The essential feature of all pyroxene structures is the linkage of the silicon-oxygen (SiO₄) tetrahedrons by sharing two of the four corners to form continuous chains. The chains, which extend indefinitely parallel to the ccrystallographic axis, have the composition of (SiO₃)_n(Figure 1). A repeat…
Read More