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Mineralati

Minerals

Diopside

diopside

CaMgSi2O6

Diopside Mineral Specimen For Sale

Diopside Mineral Specimen For Sale — via www.dakotamatrix.com · Source

Overview

Diopside is a monoclinic pyroxene mineral with composition MgCaSi2O6. It forms complete solid solution series with hedenbergite (FeCaSi2O6) 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, 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°.

Scientific references

  1. Diopside — Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q316671 Link
  2. Diopside — Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diopside Link