Spodumene is a prismatic, pyroxene mineral. It ranges in a variety of colors from a translucent yellow-green to pink and purple. Spodumene is often found in extremely large crystals and occurs in pegmatites, along with lepidolite or petalite. Due to it’s perfect cleavage and range of colors, spodumene is also used as a gemstone for jewelry and other artistic displays.
| Color | White, yellow, pink, purple, green, blue |
|---|---|
| Luster | Pearly |
| Streak | White |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 7 |
| Cleavage | Perfect (2 planes) |
| Specific Gravity | 3.1-3.3 |
| Chemical Formula | LiAl(SiO3)2 |
| Crystal Structure | Monoclinic |
| Classification | Silicate |
Spodumene contains lithium, which is a light and soft metal. Lithium is used in batteries for maximum energy storage. Lithium-ion batteries have been very beneficial for renewable energy efforts with their fast recharge time and strong alloys. It is used in many electrical appliances such as: phones, laptops, vehicles, and other appliances. Lithium is both the lightest and least dense metal, making it the optimal method for storing energy.
Spodumene is a mineral with a high lithium content. This makes it the primary source for obtaining lithium. Lithium is both cost-efficient and recyclable, making it an even more appealing source for renewable energy. Lithium-ion batteries can be recycled and used for non-battery related purposes.
Many minerals contain lithium, but spodumene produces the most amount. Once spodumene is heated, cooled, then crushed, it is mixed with sulfuric acid. The acid is what brings out the lithium. Once the pH levels are balanced and other elements added, the lithium mix is filtered and ready for use. While this method is efficient, it uses large amounts of water. This is the downside of mining lithium, as it negatively affects the environment. The goal is to find an environmentally friendly method of extracting and processing lithium.
Spodumene's crystal system is monoclinic. This means that none of the axes are equal to each other, yet two are perpendicular (angles are 90°) while the other is not (angle is 110°). The unit cell of this system forms the shape of a lopsided rectangular prism. Not quite a cube, not quite a rectangle. The picture to the left shows the atomic makeup of spodumene. It contains oxygen (red), silica (dark blue), lithium (light blue), and aluminum atoms (light green).