Cordierite and Hypersthene Physical Properties
Tenacity
Brittle
  
Not Available
  
Solubility
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Durability
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Specific Gravity
2.57-2.66
  
3.45-3.55
  
Fracture
Subconchoidal, Conchoidal, Brittle
  
Uneven
  
Cleavage
Fair on {100}, poor on {001} and {010}
  
{100} Perfect, {010} Perfect
  
Mohs Hardness
7-7.5
  
5-6
  
Chemical Composition
Mg2Al4Si5O18
  
(Fe,Mg) 2Si 2O 6Ulrich Henn and Claudio C.
  
Cordierite and Hypersthene Chemical Formula
While comparing Cordierite and Hypersthene physical properties, the important data you should know is its chemical composition. Since chemical formula defines the molecular structure of the crystal, most of the physical properties like color, tenacity, solubility are governed by Cordierite and Hypersthene chemical formula.
- Chemical formula of Cordierite- Mg2Al4Si5O18
- Chemical formula of Hypersthene- (Fe,Mg) 2Si 2O 6Ulrich Henn and Claudio C.
Cordierite and Hypersthene Specific Gravity
Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is Cordierite and Hypersthene Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use Cordierite and Hypersthene Optical Properties during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of Cordierite is 3.45-3.55 whereas that of Hypersthene is 3.45-3.55.