Judging quality
The sheen is a broad sweep rather than a distinct cat's eye. Bronzite is the same family with a warmer, more coppery reflection.
Pyroxene
Hypersthene
A dark orthopyroxene with a metallic bronze-to-silver sheen from fine exsolution lamellae. Polished Madagascan cabochons show a moving silvery streak against near-black.
Care
Cleavage present; treat as a display or pendant stone rather than a ring.
History & lore
Named from Greek for 'over strength', because it is harder than the hornblende it was originally confused with.
Cultural history, recorded as tradition rather than as medical or scientific claim.
Common questions about Hypersthene
- What is Hypersthene?
- A dark orthopyroxene with a metallic bronze-to-silver sheen from fine exsolution lamellae. Polished Madagascan cabochons show a moving silvery streak against near-black.
- How hard is Hypersthene and what is it made of?
- Hypersthene is a Pyroxene-family mineral with the composition (Mg,Fe)SiO3. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and rates 5-6 on the Mohs hardness scale. It occurs in black, bronze, silver.
- Where does Hypersthene come from?
- Notable localities for Hypersthene include Madagascar, Norway, Canada (Labrador), India.
- How do you tell good Hypersthene from filler?
- The sheen is a broad sweep rather than a distinct cat's eye. Bronzite is the same family with a warmer, more coppery reflection.
- How do you care for Hypersthene?
- Cleavage present; treat as a display or pendant stone rather than a ring.
See it in person
Photographs only go so far
Both rooms are open six days a week, and there is always someone happy to pull pieces out of the case so you can compare them under the light.