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16.9.1: Chrome Diopside

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    4139
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    Chrome Diopside
    Chemical composition CaMg(SiO3)2alcium magnesium silicate
    Crystal system Monoclinic
    Habit Prismatic, waterworn pebbles
    Cleavage Distinct
    Fracture Conchoidal
    Hardness 5
    Optic nature Biaxial +
    Refractive index 1.67-1.70
    Birefringence 0.025-0.030
    Dispersion Low, 0.013
    Specific gravity 3.3
    Lustre Vitreous
    Pleochroism Weak to moderate

    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Faceted Chrome Diopside
    Photo courtesy of Rick Martin

    Chrome diopside is the chromium-rich variety of diopside. Chromium gives chrome diopside a brighter green color compared to the green seen in diopside which is caused by iron.

    Diagnostics

    Color

    Bright green to emerald green.

    Inclusions

    Fibrous inclusions.

    Spectroscope

    Fine lines in the red to deep red with narrow bands in the green-blue/blue. Not all lines may be observed.

    Phenomena

    Cat's-eyes

    Localities

    South Africa - Kimberley diamond mines
    Burma
    Pakistan
    Siberia, Russia

    References

    • Gems. Their Sources, Descriptions and Identification 4th edition (1990) - R.Webster, B.W. Anderson
    • Gemmology 3rd edition (2005) - Peter Read

    This page titled 16.9.1: Chrome Diopside is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by gemology via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.

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