Diopside

Most Diopside comes from the Ural Mountains in Russia. **An interesting quality of the chrome diopside is that it's sometimes found near kimberlite pipes - which prospectors use as an indicator for the presence of diamonds.**

In The USAThe largest crystal of Diopside was found in New York.

Chrome Diopside cut

INTERESTINGDiopside is found in meteorites.This is the meteorite NWA 7325 and it's polished cut surface that reveals green crystals of the silicate mineral diopside

Diopside in the Rough

Diopside

HISTORYDiopside is a monoclinic pyroxene mineral that was first discovered in around 1800. Diopside derives its name from the Greek words, dis and opsis meaning double and appearance respectively. This name was given to Diopside because of the two possible orientations of the vertical prism.

Diopside based ceramics and glass-ceramics have potential applications in various technological areas.

USESGemstone quality diopside is found in two forms: the black star diopside and the chrome diopside which are used to make jewelry.

INFO-CaMgSi2O6 is the chemical formula-the crystal shape blocky-the hardness is 6 orthoclase-the streak is white green-the cleavage is 1,2 prismatic-the density is 3.4-the luster is vitreous(glassy)- It forms complete solid solution series with hedenbergite (FeCaSi2O6) and augite, and partial solid solutions with orthopyroxene and pigeonite.