This is a group of important silicate minerals which are found in many types of igneous and metamorphic rocks. They share a structure which consists of single chains of silica tetrahedra, a type of pyramid, and they crystallize in the monoclinic, one of the 7 lattice point groups of the crystal group, and orthorhombic systems.
The name pyroxene comes for the Greek words fire and stranger. This group of minerals, which includes jadeite, is so named because of its presence in areas of volcanic activity. They are simply early forming minerals which crystallize before lava erupts.
The upper mantle of the Earth is mainly composed of these minerals (pyroxene) and olivine. It also includes the major minerals in basalt and gabbro.
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