noun
- a group of silicate minerals with chain-like crystal structures similar to pyroxenes but with different repeating units
Usage: geology; mineralogy
Examples
- Pyroxenoids are distinguished from pyroxenes by their longer chain repeat units.
- Wollastonite is one of the most common pyroxenoids found in metamorphic rocks.
- The crystal structure of pyroxenoids consists of silicate chains with five or more tetrahedra.
- Geologists study pyroxenoids to understand high-temperature metamorphic processes.
- Rhodonite and bustamite are examples of pyroxenoids with distinctive pink colors.