AllMineralsRock
Diopside
Diopside is a popular gemstone composed of calcium magnesium silicate. [1]
Diopside: Quick Facts and Characteristics
Some quick facts for Diopside:- Transparency: Diopside can be opaque, translucent or transparent.
- Crystallography: In terms of crystallography, diopside is monoclinic.
- Luster: In terms of luster, diopside is vitreous (glassy).
- Streak: Diopside streaks green, light green or white.
- Hardness: Diopside's hardness ranges from 5.5 to 6.5 on the Moh's scale.
- Specific Gravity: Diopside's specific gravity ranges from 3.22 to 3.29.
Diopside: Background and Summary
Diopside is a mineral that belongs to the pyroxene group and is composed of calcium, magnesium, and silicon. It is a common mineral found in igneous and metamorphic rocks, as well as in some meteorites. Diopside is often green in color, but can also be brown, black, or colorless. It has a vitreous luster and a hardness of 5-6 on the Mohs scale.To identify diopside, one can look for its characteristic green color and vitreous luster. It can also be identified by its cleavage, which is perfect in two directions, and its prismatic crystal habit. Diopside can be distinguished from other green minerals like olivine and epidote by its cleavage and crystal habit.
Diopside has a variety of uses in both industrial and decorative applications. It is used as a refractory material in high-temperature applications, such as furnace linings and crucibles. It is also used in the production of ceramics, glass, and enamels. In the jewelry industry, diopside is used as a gemstone and is often cut into faceted shapes. It is also used as a mineral specimen for collectors.
Diopside: Table of Properties
| Attribute | Diopside (src) |
|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | CaMgSi2O6 |
| Chemical Composition | calcium magnesium silicate |
| Specific Gravity | 3.22, 3.29, 3.38 |
| Hardness | 5.5, 6.5 |
| Streak | white, light green, green |
| Crystallography | monoclinic |
| Refractive Index | 1.664, 1.751 |
| Hydrous | No |
| Colors | common: green, brown, blue sometimes: black, white, violet, yellow less common: gray, pale, colorless, red |
| Category | inosilicate |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.030 |
| Fracture | 1: 12: 2 |
Diopside: FAQ
Q: Is diopside a rare mineral?A: Diopside is not considered a rare mineral and is relatively common in many types of rocks.
Q: Can diopside be found in meteorites?
A: Yes, diopside has been found in some meteorites, including those from Mars.
Q: Is diopside a valuable gemstone?
A: Diopside is not as well-known as other gemstones like diamonds or rubies, but it is still valued by some collectors and jewelry makers.
Sources
- Mindat.org. (n.d.). Diopside. Retrieved from https://www.mindat.org/min-1263.html- Webmineral.com. (n.d.). Diopside Mineral Data. Retrieved from http://www.webmineral.com/data/Diopside.shtml
- Diopside: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diopside
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