Diopside is a monoclinic pyroxene mineral with composition MgCaSi 2O 6. It forms complete solid solution series with hedenbergite (FeCaSi 2O 6) and augite, and partial solid solutions with orthopyroxene and pigeonite. It forms variably colored, but typically dull green crystals in the monoclinic prismatic class. It has two distinct prismatic cleavages at 87 and 93° typical of the pyroxene series. It has a Mohs hardness of six, a Vickers hardness of 7.7 GPa at a load of 0.98 N,[5] and a specific gravity of 3.25 to 3.55. It is transparent to translucent with indices of refraction of nα=1.663–1.699, nβ=1.671–1.705, and nγ=1.693–1.728. The optic angle is 58° to 63°.
^C. D. Gribble, ed. (1988). "The Silicate Minerals". Rutley's Elements of Mineralogy (27th ed.). London: Unwin Hyman Ltd. p. 378. ISBN 0-04-549011-2.
^Mindat page for Diopside
^Handbook of Mineralogy
^M M Smedskjaer; M Jensen; Y-Z Yue (2008). "Theoretical calculation and measurement of the hardness of diopside". Journal of the American Ceramic Society. 91 (2): 514–518. doi:10.1111/j.1551-2916.2007.02166.x.
Diopside is a monoclinic pyroxene mineral with composition MgCaSi 2O 6. It forms complete solid solution series with hedenbergite (FeCaSi 2O 6) and augite...
melt at the eutectic temperature, along with part of the diopside, and the remaining diopside will then gradually melt as the temperature continues to...
compositions. There is an arbitrary separation between augite and the diopside-hedenbergite (CaMgSi2O6 − CaFeSi2O6) solid solution. The divide is taken...
aluminium-poor phlogopite; potassium- and titanium-rich richterite; low aluminium diopside; and iron-rich sanidine. A variety of rare trace minerals occur. The rocks...
assemblage of magnesian ilmenite, chromium pyrope, almandine-pyrope, chromium diopside (in some cases subcalcic), phlogopite, enstatite and of Ti-poor chromite...
Earth's surface. Ultramafic rocks often contain calcium-rich pyroxene (diopside), which breaks down according to the reaction: This raises both the pH...
Topazios. Layers of spinel-lherzolites with anhydrous Al-diopside pyroxenites and hydrous Cr-diopside pyroxenites can be found too on the island.[citation...
indicator of metamorphic grade since at high temperatures it converts to diopside. Tremolite occurs as a result of contact metamorphism of calcium and magnesium...
consisting essentially of minerals of the pyroxene group, such as augite, diopside, hypersthene, bronzite or enstatite. Pyroxenites are classified into clinopyroxenites...
where intruded by granite. Minerals occurring with serendibite include diopside, spinel, phlogopite, scapolite, calcite, tremolite, apatite, grandidierite...
metamorphic rock of basalt. Omphacite is the solid solution of Fe-bearing diopside and jadeite. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system with prismatic, typically...
with metamorphic rocks. Associated minerals include garnets, vesuvianite, diopside, tremolite, epidote, plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene and calcite. It is...
200 ft). The Yellow Band consists of intercalated beds of Middle Cambrian diopside-epidote-bearing marble, which weathers a distinctive yellowish brown, and...
the yellowish to greenish-yellow hiddenites were thought to be gemmy diopside. Stephenson brought the discovery to the attention of exploration geologist...
aluminium. Omphacite is intermediate in composition between jadeite and diopside. However, there is not a true solid solution series, as omphacite has its...
Field of view ~1.6 cm across. Purplish red = pyrope garnet. Bright green = chromian diopside. Dark greenish-black = orthopyroxene. Olive-green = olivine....
Global Information