Where is Hypersthene found?

Hypersthene occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.

Where to find Hypersthene

Collecting tips

1. Geological Context. Focus on areas known for mafic/ultramafic igneous intrusions (gabbros, norites, pyroxenites) or high-grade metamorphic terrains (granulites, charnockites). Hypersthene is a key indicator mineral for these environments.
2. Visual Identification. Look for dark, often greenish-black to brownish-black minerals with a distinctive bronze-like metallic luster or schiller effect. The nearly 90-degree cleavage is a crucial diagnostic feature for orthopyroxenes.
3. Associated Minerals. Hypersthene often coexists with plagioclase feldspar, olivine, magnetite, ilmenite, and other pyroxenes (like augite) in igneous rocks, and with garnet, sillimanite, and quartz in metamorphic rocks.
4. Field Tests. Test hardness (5-6 on Mohs scale) and observe the cleavage. The specific gravity (3.4-3.9) is relatively high for a silicate, which can be felt by hand if comparing to lighter minerals.

Quick Check

Color:

Dark brown, greenish-black, grayish-black, often with bronze sheen

Luster:

Vitreous to pearly, submetallic to metallic (schiller)

Streak:

Grayish-white to pale brown

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