Diopside

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Refractive Index : 1.701 – 1.675 (+0.029 – 0.010) spot reading is usually 1.68

Optical Characteristic : DR Biaxial positive, AGG

Specific Gravity : 3.29 (+0.11 – 0.07)

Formula : CaMgSi2O6

Crystal System : Monoclinic

Variety/Species : Diopside

Species/Group : Pyroxene Group

Birefringence : 0.024 to 0.030

Dispersion : N/A

Hardness : 5.5 to 6

Toughness : Poor

Ultrasonic : Risky

Steam : Never

UV Long : green – green

UV Short : Inert

Pleochroism : 2 Colors

Strength : Weak to strong

Pleochroism Colors : Weak to strong, none, yellow/green.

Heat : Fusible

Acids : Avoid hydrofluoric acid

Light : Stable

Polish Luster : Vitreous to resinous

Fracture : Conchoidal to uneven

Fracture Luster : Vitreous to resinous

Clarity Type : N/A

Tones : N/A

Saturations : N/A

Cause of Color : Green-chromium; green/brown-iron

Enhancements : None

Cleavage : Perfect in 2 directions

Color Range : Bluish green, green, yellowish green, brown, black Blue, purple Purplish, bluish, greenish, brownish

Transparency : Transparent to Opaque

Phenomena : Chatoyancy, aventurescence, Asterism most often 4 ray star but may be 6 rays too

Separations : Diopside from-Peridot : RI, birefringence, optic sign(possibly), spectrum, phenomena (possibly) Dioptase: Color, birefringence, optic character, spectrum, phenomena (possibly)

Zoiste: Birefringence, color, pleochroism, phenomena (possibly), spectrum (possibly)

Black star sapphire:4 rays(possibly), RI, SG

Identifying Characteristics and information
Star usually has 4 rays instead of 6. Pink phosphorescence (rarely)
Malacolite is pale green. Violane is purple or blue and is very rare.
Part of the Diopside/Hedemnergite series.

Spectral Data
Malacolite (pale green diopside): lines at 5050,4930 and 4460

Trade Names and Misnomers
Alalite
Allalite
Augite
Baikalite
Cat’s Eye Diopside (S)
Chrome Diopside (S)
Dekalbite
Dillage
Diopside
Hedenbergite(S)
Jeffersonite(S)
Malacolite
Salaite
Schefferite(S)
Star Diopside(S)
Tashmarine
Violane

Tags: Alalite, Allalite, Augite, Baikalite, Cat's Eye Diopside, Chrome Diopside, Dekalbite, Dillage, Diopside, Hedenbergite, Jeffersonite, Malacolite, Salaite, Schefferite, Star Diopside, Tashmarine, Violane