Observation of growth defects in spodumene crystals by X-ray topography

Natural Brazilian spodumene crystals have been studied by X-ray topography. The observed samples have shown four types of growth defects: growth bands, channels, dislocations and inclusions which are analyzed in detail. In particular, the origin of the well-known channels is discussed. The morphologies shown by the two varieties of these Brasilian spodumene are directly related to an important process of redissolution after a stage of complete growth.