Diopside: Mineral information, data and localities.
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Diopside

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page kindly sponsored by Robert M. Hazen

About DiopsideHide

Formula:
CaMgSi2O6
Colour:
Light to dark green, blue, brown, colourless, snow white, grey, pale violet
Lustre:
Vitreous, Dull
Hardness:
5½ - 6½
Specific Gravity:
3.22 - 3.38
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1806 by Rene Just HaĂŒy from the Greek ÎŽÎčς- for "double" (or even better for "twice") and όψÎčς" (or "ᜄψÎčς" in ancient Greek) - for "appearance", in allusion to two possible orientations of the prism zone.
see also https://www.mindat.org/mesg-588879.html
Pyroxene Group - Clinopyroxene Subgroup; see also the Diopside-Hedenbergite Series, and the Diopside-Johannsenite Series.

One of the most common members of the pyroxene group. Often occurs in metamorphosed limestones (marbles) as generally pale greenish to greyish green crystals, masses and blebs/grains associated with humite-group minerals, spinel, phlogopite, tremolite and grossular. Can also be pure white and not distinguishable from the enclosing carbonate. Often fluorescent bright powder blue.

May incorporate OH groups (e.g., Yang et al., 2015).

The Ca analogue of the CuMg-clinopyroxene ryabchikovite.

Compare UM2003-36-SiO:CaNa.




Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1294
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1294:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
38f92552-c590-4af0-ab3a-0dda7f30f8e8

Classification of DiopsideHide

TRI__02c67e811df31af5a9e03b1af5f2fb0c.png

Diopside and its relation to other pyroxenes (after Morimoto et al., 1989)

TRI__cc066a9c1b9d5c4bee7addfd84eb8cb4.png

Previous petrological nomenclature of clinopyroxenes from basaltic magmas (after Poldervaart & Hess, 1951)


IMA Classification of DiopsideHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
9.DA.15

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
A : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si2O6; pyroxene family
65.1.3a.1

65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
1 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P=2
14.6.12

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
6 : Silicates of Ca with alkali or Mg or both

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

SymbolSourceReference
DiIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
DiKretz (1983)Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279.
DiSiivolam & Schmid (2007)Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download
DiWhitney & Evans (2010)Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371
DiThe Canadian Mineralogist (2019)The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download
DiWarr (2020)Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30

Physical Properties of DiopsideHide

Vitreous, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent, Opaque
Colour:
Light to dark green, blue, brown, colourless, snow white, grey, pale violet
Comment:
Variable colours are caused by trace to minor contents of Fe (common), Mn, Ti, V, Cr.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5½ - 6½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
on {110}
Parting:
on {100} and probably {010}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
3.22 - 3.38 g/cm3 (Measured)    3.278 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of DiopsideHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.663 - 1.699 nβ = 1.671 - 1.705 nγ = 1.693 - 1.728
2V:
Measured: 58° to 63°, Calculated: 56° to 64°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.030
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
High
Dispersion:
weak to distinct r > v
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ c = -38° on (010); X ∧ a = -22°.

Chemistry of DiopsideHide

Mindat Formula:
CaMgSi2O6
Common Impurities:
Fe,V,Cr,Mn,Zn,Al,Ti,Na,K

Crystallography of DiopsideHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.746 Å, b = 8.899 Å, c = 5.251 Å
β = 105.79°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.095 : 1 : 0.59
Unit Cell V:
438.23 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Prismatic crystals with square cross sections.
Twinning:
Simple or multiple twins on {100} or {010} common.

Crystallographic forms of DiopsideHide

Crystal Atlas:
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Diopside no.135 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by www.smorf.nl.

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0000340DiopsideCameron M, Sueno S, Prewitt C T, Papike J J (1973) High-temperature crystal chemistry of acmite, diopside, hedenbergite, jadeite, spodumene, and ureyite pyroxene American Mineralogist 58 594-61819730297
0000341DiopsideCameron M, Sueno S, Prewitt C T, Papike J J (1973) High-temperature crystal chemistry of acmite, diopside, hedenbergite, jadeite, spodumene, and ureyite pyroxene American Mineralogist 58 594-61819730673
0000342DiopsideCameron M, Sueno S, Prewitt C T, Papike J J (1973) High-temperature crystal chemistry of acmite, diopside, hedenbergite, jadeite, spodumene, and ureyite pyroxene American Mineralogist 58 594-61819730973
0000343DiopsideCameron M, Sueno S, Prewitt C T, Papike J J (1973) High-temperature crystal chemistry of acmite, diopside, hedenbergite, jadeite, spodumene, and ureyite pyroxene American Mineralogist 58 594-618197301123
0000344DiopsideCameron M, Sueno S, Prewitt C T, Papike J J (1973) High-temperature crystal chemistry of acmite, diopside, hedenbergite, jadeite, spodumene, and ureyite pyroxene American Mineralogist 58 594-618197301273
0000517DiopsideFinger L W, Ohashi Y (1976) The thermal expansion of diopside to 800 C and a refinement of the crystal structure at 700 C American Mineralogist 61 303-31019760973
0000805DiopsideGordon W A, Peacor D R, Brown P E, Essene E J, Allard L F (1981) Exsolution relationships in a clinopyroxene of average composition Ca0.43Mn0.69Mg0.82Si2O6: X-ray diffraction and analytical electron microscopy American Mineralogist 66 127-14119810293
0000811DiopsideLevien L, Prewitt C T (1981) High-pressure structural study of diopside pyroxene American Mineralogist 66 315-32319810293
0000812DiopsideLevien L, Prewitt C T (1981) High-pressure structural study of diopside pyroxene American Mineralogist 66 315-32319812.36293
0000813DiopsideLevien L, Prewitt C T (1981) High-pressure structural study of diopside pyroxene American Mineralogist 66 315-32319813.52293
0000814DiopsideLevien L, Prewitt C T (1981) High-pressure structural study of diopside pyroxene American Mineralogist 66 315-32319814.55293
0000815DiopsideLevien L, Prewitt C T (1981) High-pressure structural study of diopside pyroxene American Mineralogist 66 315-32319815.3293
0001333DiopsideRaudsepp M, Hawthorne F C, Turnock A C (1990) Crystal chemistry of synthetic pyroxenes on the join CaNiSi2O6-CaMgSi2O6 (diopside): A Rietveld refinement study sample Ni100, CaNiSi2O6 American Mineralogist 75 1274-128119900293
0001334DiopsideRaudsepp M, Hawthorne F C, Turnock A C (1990) Crystal chemistry of synthetic pyroxenes on the join CaNiSi2O6-CaMgSi2O6 (diopside): A Rietveld refinement study sample Ni80, CaNi.74Mg.26Si2O6 American Mineralogist 75 1274-128119900293
0001335DiopsideRaudsepp M, Hawthorne F C, Turnock A C (1990) Crystal chemistry of synthetic pyroxenes on the join CaNiSi2O6-CaMgSi2O6 (diopside): A Rietveld refinement study sample Ni50, CaNi.45Mg.55Si2O6 American Mineralogist 75 1274-128119900293
0001336DiopsideRaudsepp M, Hawthorne F C, Turnock A C (1990) Crystal chemistry of synthetic pyroxenes on the join CaNiSi2O6-CaMgSi2O6 (diopside): A Rietveld refinement study sample Ni25, CaNi.22Mg.78Si2O6 American Mineralogist 75 1274-128119900293
0001337DiopsideRaudsepp M, Hawthorne F C, Turnock A C (1990) Crystal chemistry of synthetic pyroxenes on the join CaNiSi2O6-CaMgSi2O6 (diopside): A Rietveld refinement study sample Ni0, CaMgSi2O6 American Mineralogist 75 1274-128119900293
0001362DiopsideOberti R, Caporuscio F A (1991) Crystal chemistry of clinopyroxenes from mantle eclogites: A study of the key role of the M2 site population by means of crystal-structure refinement sample SRV 4, Di90Jd05, diopside - jadeite join American Mineralogist 76 1141-115219910293
0001363DiopsideOberti R, Caporuscio F A (1991) Crystal chemistry of clinopyroxenes from mantle eclogites: A study of the key role of the M2 site population by means of crystal-structure refinement sample SBB 7P, Di78Jd18, diopside - jadeite join American Mineralogist 76 1141-115219910293
0001364DiopsideOberti R, Caporuscio F A (1991) Crystal chemistry of clinopyroxenes from mantle eclogites: A study of the key role of the M2 site population by means of crystal-structure refinement sample SBB 37, Di71Jd20, diopside - jadeite join American Mineralogist 76 1141-115219910293
0001365DiopsideOberti R, Caporuscio F A (1991) Crystal chemistry of clinopyroxenes from mantle eclogites: A study of the key role of the M2 site population by means of crystal-structure refinement sample SBB 34, Di62Jd24, diopside - jadeite join American Mineralogist 76 1141-115219910293
0001366DiopsideOberti R, Caporuscio F A (1991) Crystal chemistry of clinopyroxenes from mantle eclogites: A study of the key role of the M2 site population by means of crystal-structure refinement sample SBB 3H, Di64Jd26, diopside - jadeite join American Mineralogist 76 1141-115219910293
0001367DiopsideOberti R, Caporuscio F A (1991) Crystal chemistry of clinopyroxenes from mantle eclogites: A study of the key role of the M2 site population by means of crystal-structure refinement sample SBB 39, Di52Jd27, diopside - jadeite join American Mineralogist 76 1141-115219910293
0001368DiopsideOberti R, Caporuscio F A (1991) Crystal chemistry of clinopyroxenes from mantle eclogites: A study of the key role of the M2 site population by means of crystal-structure refinement sample SBB 25, Di55Jd30, diopside - jadeite join American Mineralogist 76 1141-115219910293
0001369DiopsideOberti R, Caporuscio F A (1991) Crystal chemistry of clinopyroxenes from mantle eclogites: A study of the key role of the M2 site population by means of crystal-structure refinement sample SBB 61, Di47Jd40, diopside - jadeite join American Mineralogist 76 1141-115219910293
0001667DiopsideBertolo S, Nimis P, Dal Negro A (1994) Low-Ca augite from experimental alkali basalt at 18 kbar: Structural variation near the miscibility gap Atomic parameters from ICSD American Mineralogist 79 668-67419940293
0001796DiopsideHarlow G E (1996) Structure refinement of a natural K-rich diopside: The effect of K on the average structure American Mineralogist 81 632-63819960293
0002807DiopsideSecco L, Martignago F, Dal Negro A, Reznitskii L Z, Sklyarov E V (2002) Crystal chemistry of Cr-V-rich clinopyroxenes Sample 2 American Mineralogist 87 709-71420020293
0002810DiopsideSecco L, Martignago F, Dal Negro A, Reznitskii L Z, Sklyarov E V (2002) Crystal chemistry of Cr-V-rich clinopyroxenes Sample 5 American Mineralogist 87 709-71420020293
0002811DiopsideSecco L, Martignago F, Dal Negro A, Reznitskii L Z, Sklyarov E V (2002) Crystal chemistry of Cr-V-rich clinopyroxenes Sample 6 American Mineralogist 87 709-71420020293
0004146DiopsideBindi L, Downs R T, Harlow G E, Safonov O G, Litvin Y A, Perchuk L L, Uchida H, Menchetti S (2006) Compressibility of synthetic potassium-rich clinopyroxene: In situ high-pressure single-crystal X-ray study American Mineralogist 91 802-80820060293
0004147DiopsideBindi L, Downs R T, Harlow G E, Safonov O G, Litvin Y A, Perchuk L L, Uchida H, Menchetti S (2006) Compressibility of synthetic potassium-rich clinopyroxene: In situ high-pressure single-crystal X-ray study American Mineralogist 91 802-80820060293
0004148DiopsideBindi L, Downs R T, Harlow G E, Safonov O G, Litvin Y A, Perchuk L L, Uchida H, Menchetti S (2006) Compressibility of synthetic potassium-rich clinopyroxene: In situ high-pressure single-crystal X-ray study American Mineralogist 91 802-80820060.46293
0004149DiopsideBindi L, Downs R T, Harlow G E, Safonov O G, Litvin Y A, Perchuk L L, Uchida H, Menchetti S (2006) Compressibility of synthetic potassium-rich clinopyroxene: In situ high-pressure single-crystal X-ray study American Mineralogist 91 802-80820062.45293
0004150DiopsideBindi L, Downs R T, Harlow G E, Safonov O G, Litvin Y A, Perchuk L L, Uchida H, Menchetti S (2006) Compressibility of synthetic potassium-rich clinopyroxene: In situ high-pressure single-crystal X-ray study American Mineralogist 91 802-80820065.36293
0004151DiopsideBindi L, Downs R T, Harlow G E, Safonov O G, Litvin Y A, Perchuk L L, Uchida H, Menchetti S (2006) Compressibility of synthetic potassium-rich clinopyroxene: In situ high-pressure single-crystal X-ray study American Mineralogist 91 802-80820068.11293
0004152DiopsideBindi L, Downs R T, Harlow G E, Safonov O G, Litvin Y A, Perchuk L L, Uchida H, Menchetti S (2006) Compressibility of synthetic potassium-rich clinopyroxene: In situ high-pressure single-crystal X-ray study American Mineralogist 91 802-80820069.72293
0004495DiopsideThompson R M, Downs R T (2008) The crystal structure of diopside at pressure to 10 GPa American Mineralogist 93 177-1862008DeKalb, New York0293
0004496DiopsideThompson R M, Downs R T (2008) The crystal structure of diopside at pressure to 10 GPa American Mineralogist 93 177-1862008DeKalb, New York0.13293
0004497DiopsideThompson R M, Downs R T (2008) The crystal structure of diopside at pressure to 10 GPa American Mineralogist 93 177-1862008DeKalb, New York2.32293
0004498DiopsideThompson R M, Downs R T (2008) The crystal structure of diopside at pressure to 10 GPa American Mineralogist 93 177-1862008DeKalb, New York4.22293
0004499DiopsideThompson R M, Downs R T (2008) The crystal structure of diopside at pressure to 10 GPa American Mineralogist 93 177-1862008DeKalb, New York5.11293
0004500DiopsideThompson R M, Downs R T (2008) The crystal structure of diopside at pressure to 10 GPa American Mineralogist 93 177-1862008DeKalb, New York7.08293
0004501DiopsideThompson R M, Downs R T (2008) The crystal structure of diopside at pressure to 10 GPa American Mineralogist 93 177-1862008DeKalb, New York8.01293
0004502DiopsideThompson R M, Downs R T (2008) The crystal structure of diopside at pressure to 10 GPa American Mineralogist 93 177-1862008DeKalb, New York8.88293
0004503DiopsideThompson R M, Downs R T (2008) The crystal structure of diopside at pressure to 10 GPa American Mineralogist 93 177-1862008DeKalb, New York9.5293
0004504DiopsideThompson R M, Downs R T (2008) The crystal structure of diopside at pressure to 10 GPa American Mineralogist 93 177-1862008DeKalb, New York10.16293
0005234DiopsideRaudsepp M, Hawthorne F C, Turnock A C (1990) Evaluation of the Rietveld method for the characterization of fine-grained products of the mineral synthesis: the diopside-hedenbergite join The Canadian Mineralogist 28 93-10919900293
0005235DiopsideRaudsepp M, Hawthorne F C, Turnock A C (1990) Evaluation of the Rietveld method for the characterization of fine-grained products of the mineral synthesis: the diopside-hedenbergite join The Canadian Mineralogist 28 93-10919900293
0005236DiopsideRaudsepp M, Hawthorne F C, Turnock A C (1990) Evaluation of the Rietveld method for the characterization of fine-grained products of the mineral synthesis: the diopside-hedenbergite join The Canadian Mineralogist 28 93-10919900293
0005237DiopsideRaudsepp M, Hawthorne F C, Turnock A C (1990) Evaluation of the Rietveld method for the characterization of fine-grained products of the mineral synthesis: the diopside-hedenbergite join The Canadian Mineralogist 28 93-10919900293
0005238DiopsideRaudsepp M, Hawthorne F C, Turnock A C (1990) Evaluation of the Rietveld method for the characterization of fine-grained products of the mineral synthesis: the diopside-hedenbergite join The Canadian Mineralogist 28 93-10919900293
0005384DiopsideLiang J, Hawthorne F C (1994) Characterization of fine-grained mixtures of rock-forming minerals by Rietveld structure refinement: olivine + pyroxene The Canadian Mineralogist 32 541-55219940293
0005385DiopsideLiang J, Hawthorne F C (1994) Characterization of fine-grained mixtures of rock-forming minerals by Rietveld structure refinement: olivine + pyroxene The Canadian Mineralogist 32 541-55219940293
0005386DiopsideLiang J, Hawthorne F C (1994) Characterization of fine-grained mixtures of rock-forming minerals by Rietveld structure refinement: olivine + pyroxene The Canadian Mineralogist 32 541-55219940293
0005387DiopsideLiang J, Hawthorne F C (1994) Characterization of fine-grained mixtures of rock-forming minerals by Rietveld structure refinement: olivine + pyroxene The Canadian Mineralogist 32 541-55219940293
0005388DiopsideLiang J, Hawthorne F C (1994) Characterization of fine-grained mixtures of rock-forming minerals by Rietveld structure refinement: olivine + pyroxene The Canadian Mineralogist 32 541-55219940293
0005389DiopsideLiang J, Hawthorne F C (1994) Characterization of fine-grained mixtures of rock-forming minerals by Rietveld structure refinement: olivine + pyroxene The Canadian Mineralogist 32 541-55219940293
0005390DiopsideLiang J, Hawthorne F C (1994) Characterization of fine-grained mixtures of rock-forming minerals by Rietveld structure refinement: olivine + pyroxene The Canadian Mineralogist 32 541-55219940293
0005391DiopsideLiang J, Hawthorne F C (1994) Characterization of fine-grained mixtures of rock-forming minerals by Rietveld structure refinement: olivine + pyroxene The Canadian Mineralogist 32 541-55219940293
0005392DiopsideLiang J, Hawthorne F C (1994) Characterization of fine-grained mixtures of rock-forming minerals by Rietveld structure refinement: olivine + pyroxene The Canadian Mineralogist 32 541-55219940293
0005393DiopsideLiang J, Hawthorne F C (1994) Characterization of fine-grained mixtures of rock-forming minerals by Rietveld structure refinement: olivine + pyroxene The Canadian Mineralogist 32 541-55219940293
0005394DiopsideLiang J, Hawthorne F C (1994) Characterization of fine-grained mixtures of rock-forming minerals by Rietveld structure refinement: olivine + pyroxene The Canadian Mineralogist 32 541-55219940293
0005645DiopsidePrencipe M, Tribaudino M, Pavese A, Hoser A, Reehuis M (2000) A single-crystal neutron-diffraction investigation of diopside at 10 K The Canadian Mineralogist 38 183-1892000010
0005694DiopsideHerd C D K, Peterson R C, Rossman G R (2000) Violet-colored diopside from Southern Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada The Canadian Mineralogist 38 1193-11992000Southern Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada0293
0006051DiopsideTribaudino M, Nestola F, Meneghini C (2005) Rietveld refinement of clinopyroxenes with intermediate Ca-content along the join diopside-enstatite The Canadian Mineralogist 43 1411-14212005synthetic0293
0006052DiopsideTribaudino M, Nestola F, Meneghini C (2005) Rietveld refinement of clinopyroxenes with intermediate Ca-content along the join diopside-enstatite The Canadian Mineralogist 43 1411-14212005synthetic0293
0006053DiopsideTribaudino M, Nestola F, Meneghini C (2005) Rietveld refinement of clinopyroxenes with intermediate Ca-content along the join diopside-enstatite The Canadian Mineralogist 43 1411-14212005synthetic0293
0006341DiopsideDal Negro A, Manoli S, Secco L, Piccirillo E M (1989) Megacrystic clinopyroxenes from Victoria (Australia): Crystal chemical comparisons of pyroxenes from high and low pressure regimes European Journal of Mineralogy 1 105-1211989Victoria, Australia0293
0006342DiopsideDal Negro A, Manoli S, Secco L, Piccirillo E M (1989) Megacrystic clinopyroxenes from Victoria (Australia): Crystal chemical comparisons of pyroxenes from high and low pressure regimes European Journal of Mineralogy 1 105-1211989Victoria, Australia0293
0006343DiopsideDal Negro A, Manoli S, Secco L, Piccirillo E M (1989) Megacrystic clinopyroxenes from Victoria (Australia): Crystal chemical comparisons of pyroxenes from high and low pressure regimes European Journal of Mineralogy 1 105-1211989Victoria, Australia0293
0006344DiopsideDal Negro A, Manoli S, Secco L, Piccirillo E M (1989) Megacrystic clinopyroxenes from Victoria (Australia): Crystal chemical comparisons of pyroxenes from high and low pressure regimes European Journal of Mineralogy 1 105-1211989Victoria, Australia0293
0006346DiopsideDal Negro A, Manoli S, Secco L, Piccirillo E M (1989) Megacrystic clinopyroxenes from Victoria (Australia): Crystal chemical comparisons of pyroxenes from high and low pressure regimes European Journal of Mineralogy 1 105-1211989Victoria, Australia0293
0006347DiopsideDal Negro A, Manoli S, Secco L, Piccirillo E M (1989) Megacrystic clinopyroxenes from Victoria (Australia): Crystal chemical comparisons of pyroxenes from high and low pressure regimes European Journal of Mineralogy 1 105-1211989Victoria, Australia0293
0006348DiopsideDal Negro A, Manoli S, Secco L, Piccirillo E M (1989) Megacrystic clinopyroxenes from Victoria (Australia): Crystal chemical comparisons of pyroxenes from high and low pressure regimes European Journal of Mineralogy 1 105-1211989Victoria, Australia0293
0006349DiopsideDal Negro A, Manoli S, Secco L, Piccirillo E M (1989) Megacrystic clinopyroxenes from Victoria (Australia): Crystal chemical comparisons of pyroxenes from high and low pressure regimes European Journal of Mineralogy 1 105-1211989Victoria, Australia0293
0006350DiopsideDal Negro A, Manoli S, Secco L, Piccirillo E M (1989) Megacrystic clinopyroxenes from Victoria (Australia): Crystal chemical comparisons of pyroxenes from high and low pressure regimes European Journal of Mineralogy 1 105-1211989Victoria, Australia0293
0006351DiopsideDal Negro A, Manoli S, Secco L, Piccirillo E M (1989) Megacrystic clinopyroxenes from Victoria (Australia): Crystal chemical comparisons of pyroxenes from high and low pressure regimes European Journal of Mineralogy 1 105-1211989Victoria, Australia0293
0006352DiopsideDal Negro A, Manoli S, Secco L, Piccirillo E M (1989) Megacrystic clinopyroxenes from Victoria (Australia): Crystal chemical comparisons of pyroxenes from high and low pressure regimes European Journal of Mineralogy 1 105-1211989Victoria, Australia0293
0006353DiopsideDal Negro A, Manoli S, Secco L, Piccirillo E M (1989) Megacrystic clinopyroxenes from Victoria (Australia): Crystal chemical comparisons of pyroxenes from high and low pressure regimes European Journal of Mineralogy 1 105-1211989Victoria, Australia0293
0006354DiopsideDal Negro A, Manoli S, Secco L, Piccirillo E M (1989) Megacrystic clinopyroxenes from Victoria (Australia): Crystal chemical comparisons of pyroxenes from high and low pressure regimes European Journal of Mineralogy 1 105-1211989Victoria, Australia0293
0006355DiopsideDal Negro A, Manoli S, Secco L, Piccirillo E M (1989) Megacrystic clinopyroxenes from Victoria (Australia): Crystal chemical comparisons of pyroxenes from high and low pressure regimes European Journal of Mineralogy 1 105-1211989Victoria, Australia0293
0006528DiopsideTribaudino M, Molin G M, Bruno E (1994) Effect of Al on enstatite solubility in CMAS clinopyroxenes: 2 - Crystal chemical considerations European Journal of Mineralogy 6 77-8619940293
0006529DiopsideTribaudino M, Molin G M, Bruno E (1994) Effect of Al on enstatite solubility in CMAS clinopyroxenes: 2 - Crystal chemical considerations European Journal of Mineralogy 6 77-8619940293
0006530DiopsideTribaudino M, Molin G M, Bruno E (1994) Effect of Al on enstatite solubility in CMAS clinopyroxenes: 2 - Crystal chemical considerations European Journal of Mineralogy 6 77-8619940293
0006531DiopsideTribaudino M, Molin G M, Bruno E (1994) Effect of Al on enstatite solubility in CMAS clinopyroxenes: 2 - Crystal chemical considerations European Journal of Mineralogy 6 77-8619940293
0006532DiopsideTribaudino M, Molin G M, Bruno E (1994) Effect of Al on enstatite solubility in CMAS clinopyroxenes: 2 - Crystal chemical considerations European Journal of Mineralogy 6 77-8619940293
0006580DiopsideComodi P, Princivalle F, Tirone M, Zanazzi P F (1995) Comparative compressibility of clinopyroxenes from mantle nodules European Journal of Mineralogy 7 141-14919950293
0006581DiopsideComodi P, Princivalle F, Tirone M, Zanazzi P F (1995) Comparative compressibility of clinopyroxenes from mantle nodules European Journal of Mineralogy 7 141-14919950293
0006622DiopsideTribaudino M (1996) High-temperature crystal chemistry of C2/c clinopyroxenes along the join CaMgSi2O6-CaAl2SiO6 European Journal of Mineralogy 8 273-27919960293
0006623DiopsideTribaudino M (1996) High-temperature crystal chemistry of C2/c clinopyroxenes along the join CaMgSi2O6-CaAl2SiO6 European Journal of Mineralogy 8 273-27919960293
0006624DiopsideTribaudino M (1996) High-temperature crystal chemistry of C2/c clinopyroxenes along the join CaMgSi2O6-CaAl2SiO6 European Journal of Mineralogy 8 273-27919960293
0006625DiopsideTribaudino M (1996) High-temperature crystal chemistry of C2/c clinopyroxenes along the join CaMgSi2O6-CaAl2SiO6 European Journal of Mineralogy 8 273-27919960293
0006626DiopsideTribaudino M (1996) High-temperature crystal chemistry of C2/c clinopyroxenes along the join CaMgSi2O6-CaAl2SiO6 European Journal of Mineralogy 8 273-27919960293
0006695DiopsideKabalov Y K, Oeckler O, Sokolova E V, Mironov A B, Chesnokov B V (1997) Subsilicic ferrian aluminian diopside from the Chelyabinsk coal basin (Southern Urals) - an unusual clinopyroxene European Journal of Mineralogy 9 617-6211997Chelyabinsk coal basin, Southern Urals0293
0006718DiopsideRedhammer G J (1998) Mossbauer spectroscopy and Rietveld refinement on synthetic ferri-Tschermak's molecule CaFe3+(Fe3+Si)O6 substituted diopside European Journal of Mineralogy 10 439-45219980293
0006719DiopsideRedhammer G J (1998) Mossbauer spectroscopy and Rietveld refinement on synthetic ferri-Tschermak's molecule CaFe3+(Fe3+Si)O6 substituted diopside European Journal of Mineralogy 10 439-45219980293
0006720DiopsideRedhammer G J (1998) Mossbauer spectroscopy and Rietveld refinement on synthetic ferri-Tschermak's molecule CaFe3+(Fe3+Si)O6 substituted diopside European Journal of Mineralogy 10 439-45219980293
0006721DiopsideRedhammer G J (1998) Mossbauer spectroscopy and Rietveld refinement on synthetic ferri-Tschermak's molecule CaFe3+(Fe3+Si)O6 substituted diopside European Journal of Mineralogy 10 439-45219980293
0006722DiopsideRedhammer G J (1998) Mossbauer spectroscopy and Rietveld refinement on synthetic ferri-Tschermak's molecule CaFe3+(Fe3+Si)O6 substituted diopside European Journal of Mineralogy 10 439-45219980293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.991 Å(100)
2.528 Å(40)
2.893 Å(30)
2.518 Å(30)
3.23 Å(25)
2.952 Å(25)
1.625 Å(25)
Comments:
Schwartzenstein, Austria, ICDD 11-654.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration4.566-4.550
6 : Secondary asteroid phases4.566-4.560
Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust>4.50
7 : Ultramafic igneous rocks
Stage 4a: Earth’s earliest continental crust>4.4-3.0
20 : Acidic volcanic rocks
High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism
31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks
36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks
37 : Layered igneous intrusions and related PGE minerals
Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics<3.5-2.5
38 : Ophiolites
40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies)
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere<0.6
50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals<0.36
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals<10 Ka
54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56)

Type Occurrence of DiopsideHide

Synonyms of DiopsideHide

Other Language Names for DiopsideHide

Varieties of DiopsideHide

BaikaliteA morphological variety of ferroan diopside, approaching 'salite'.
Originally described in the 19th century from the Slyudyanka phlogopite mines area, Lake Baikal, Irkutskaya Oblast', Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye), Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia.
Blue DiopsideUsually granular diopside forming monomineral zones in magnesium skarns in some regions of Prebaikalie. Nature of blue colouration is uneven.
CanaaniteA white variety of diopside.
Chromium-bearing DiopsideA green, Cr-bearing variety of diopside.
DiallageA variety (diopside-hedenbergite-augite solid-solution member of the pyroxene group) specifically showing prominent {001} parting and originally supposed to be a distinct species. Occasional misidentifications included orthopyroxene, e.g Metalloidal Diall...
LavroviteA green vanadium-bearing variety of diopside.

Not to be confused with laverovite.
LeucaugiteA variety of diopside noted for white to tan coloration and with a distinct platy character and somewhat rhombic appearance.
Maclurite (of Nuttall and Torrey)Seybert (1822):"bears a strong resemblance to hypersthene"
"The color of this mineral in the mass, is dark brown, approaching to brownish black; when pulverized is grey; luster metallic. Slightly translucent of the edges. Form [of crystals] indeterminate....
SaliteAn obsolete name for a clinopyroxene that would now be classified as an Fe-bearing variety of diopside, i.e. with Mg>Fe.

SchefferiteA brown Mn(II)-bearing variety of diopside that frequently shows pronounced parting (IMA Subcommittee on Pyroxenes 1988).

Originally described from Långban, Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden.

Ti SaliteA probably unnecessary name for a Ti- and Fe-bearing diopside.
Titanium-bearing DiopsideA Ti-bearing variety of diopside.
TraverselliteOccasionally alters to amphibole, and pseudomorphs amphibole.
Originally reported from Traversella Mine, Traversella, Chiusella Valley, Canavese District, Torino Province, Piedmont, Italy.
ViolanPurple to blue-purple diopside or omphacite coloured by manganese. Note that mauve-coloured diopside, owing its colour to titanium, is not violan.
Because of the bright purple colour, violan is probably Mn3+-bearing and not Mn2+-bearing. Compare johannse...
Zinc-SchefferiteA brown Zn- and Mn-bearing diopside.

Relationship of Diopside to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of this group:
AegirineNaFe3+Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
Aegirine-augite(NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(Fe3+eAlfFe2+gMgh)Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
Augite(CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
BurnettiteCaVAlSiO6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
ClinoenstatiteMgSiO3Mon. 2/m : P21/b
ClinoferrosiliteFe2+2Si2O6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
ColomeraiteNaTi3+Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
DavisiteCaScAlSiO6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
EsseneiteCaFe3+[AlSiO6]Mon. 2/m : B2/b
GrossmaniteCaTi3+ AlSiO6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
HedenbergiteCaFe2+Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
JadeiteNa(Al,Fe3+)Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
JervisiteNaSc3+Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
JohannseniteCaMn2+Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
KanoiteMn2+(Mg,Mn2+)Si2O6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
KosmochlorNaCrSi2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
KushiroiteCaAl[AlSiO6]Mon. 2/m : B2/b
NamansiliteNaMn3+Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
NatalyiteNaV3+Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
Omphacite(NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(AleFe3+fFe2+gMgh)Si2O6Mon. 2/m
PetedunniteCa(Zn,Mn2+,Mg,Fe2+)Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
Pigeonite(CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
RyabchikoviteCuMgSi2O6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
SpodumeneLiAlSi2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
Tissintite(Ca,Na,◻)AlSi2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
UM2001-19-SiO:AlCaMgNa(Na,Mg,Ca)(Mg,Al)Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
UM2003-36-SiO:CaNaNaCrSi2O6 - CaMgSi2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
Forms a series with:

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
992 photos of Diopside associated with GrossularCa3Al2(SiO4)3
570 photos of Diopside associated with CalciteCaCO3
299 photos of Diopside associated with HessoniteCa3Al2(SiO4)3
298 photos of Diopside associated with ClinochloreMg5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8
266 photos of Diopside associated with Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
241 photos of Diopside associated with VesuvianiteCa19Fe3+Al4(Al6Mg2)(◻4)◻[Si2O7]4[(SiO4)10]O(OH)9
173 photos of Diopside associated with QuartzSiO2
155 photos of Diopside associated with TitaniteCaTi(SiO4)O
137 photos of Diopside associated with AndraditeCa3Fe3+2(SiO4)3
117 photos of Diopside associated with PhlogopiteKMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

9.DA.ProtoenstatiteMg2Si2O6Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn
9.DA.RyabchikoviteCuMgSi2O6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.DA.ColomeraiteNaTi3+Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.05Donpeacorite(Mn,Mg)MgSi2O6Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
9.DA.05EnstatiteMg2Si2O6Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
9.DA.05FerrosiliteFe2+2Si2O6Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
9.DA.10ClinoenstatiteMgSiO3Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.DA.10ClinoferrosiliteFe2+2Si2O6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.DA.10KanoiteMn2+(Mg,Mn2+)Si2O6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.DA.10Pigeonite(CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.DA.15Augite(CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.15EsseneiteCaFe3+[AlSiO6]Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.15HedenbergiteCaFe2+Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.15 vaJeffersoniteCa(Mn,Zn,Fe)Si2O6
9.DA.15JohannseniteCaMn2+Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.15PetedunniteCa(Zn,Mn2+,Mg,Fe2+)Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.15DavisiteCaScAlSiO6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.15KushiroiteCaAl[AlSiO6]Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.15GrossmaniteCaTi3+ AlSiO6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.20Aegirine-augite(NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(Fe3+eAlfFe2+gMgh)Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.20Omphacite(NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(AleFe3+fFe2+gMgh)Si2O6Mon. 2/m
9.DA.25AegirineNaFe3+Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.25JadeiteNa(Al,Fe3+)Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.25JervisiteNaSc3+Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.25KosmochlorNaCrSi2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.25NamansiliteNaMn3+Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.25NatalyiteNaV3+Si2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.25Tissintite(Ca,Na,◻)AlSi2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.30SpodumeneLiAlSi2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DA.35HiroseiteFeSiO3Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma

Fluorescence of DiopsideHide

Bright blue-white (white coloured material) (SW UV)

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Diopside in petrologyHide

Internet Links for DiopsideHide

References for DiopsideHide

Reference List:

Localities for DiopsideHide

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