Ancient Romans, we are told, used to grind Bronzite into powder form to use as protection against mental illness and confusion, and as an effective treatment to strengthen the nerves.
Scientific Properties:
Mohs Hardness of 5.5 with a orthorhombic crystal structure.
Dark brown or greenish-brown, opaque variety of Enstatite or Hypersthene with a submetallic luster. Bronzite is formed through weathering of normal Enstatite or Hypersthene.
Bronzite is composed of complex magnesium and magnesium iron silicates, although to a Geologist, this gemstone is composed of a combination of Enstatite and Hypersthene, found in igneous rocks, usually ultramafic in origin (from very deep within the earth). Bronzite has a submetallic luster and the flashes of bronze light are called shiller. Enstatite and Hypersthene may also be found in meteorites as well.
Bronzite is a member of the pyroxene group of minerals, belonging with enstatite and hypersthene to the orthorhombic series of the group. Rather than a distinct species, it is really a ferriferous variety of enstatite, which owing to partial alteration has acquired a bronze-like sub-metallic luster on the cleavage surfaces.