monoclinic Inosilicates
Diopside
CaMgSi2O6
Quick Facts
Hardness
5.5
Specific Gravity
3.22
Refractive Index
1.675
Optical Character
Biaxial +
Crystal Structure
#! Species: Diopside
#! System: Monoclinic (2/m)
#! Habit: Short prismatic with well-developed pinacoid
monoclinic[2/m]:{110}@1.0 + {100}@0.6 + {010}@0.5 + {001}@0.9
monoclinic
2/m
{110} {100} {010} {001}
Physical Properties
Crystal Systemmonoclinic
Hardness (Mohs)5.5
Specific Gravity3.22
CleavageGood {110} at 87-93 degrees (characteristic pyroxene cleavage)
FractureUneven to conchoidal
LustreVitreous
Optical Properties
Refractive Index1.675
Birefringence0.024-0.030
Optical CharacterBiaxial +
Dispersion0.02
Pleochroismmoderate: Light green / Dark green (Strong in chrome diopside; weak in other varieties)
FluorescenceStrong blue to bluish-white (SWUV)
Colours
Green (chrome diopside)ColorlessPale greenDark greenViolet-blue (violan)BrownBlack
Localities
Russia (Siberia - chrome diopside)Italy (Piedmont)Austria (Zillertal)TanzaniaMadagascarPakistanIndia (star diopside)
Crystal Forms
prismpinacoid
Interactive Preview
Open this crystal in the CDL Playground to rotate, export, and explore in 3D.
Open in Playground #! Species: Diopside
#! System: Monoclinic (2/m)
#! Habit: Short prismatic with well-developed pinacoid
monoclinic[2/m]:{110}@1.0 + {100}@0.6 + {010}@0.5 + {001}@0.9
Related Minerals
Other minerals in the monoclinic system
