The Collaborative International Dictionary
Diopside \Di*op"side\, n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? a sight, fr. the root of ? I shall see: cf. F. diopside.] (Min.) A crystallized variety of pyroxene, of a clear, grayish green color; mussite.
Wiktionary
n. (context mineral English) A monoclinic pyroxene mineral, a magnesium calcium silicate with the chemical formula calciummagnesiumsilicon2oxygen6, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Wikipedia
Diopside is a monoclinic pyroxene mineral with composition MgCaSiO. It forms complete solid solution series with hedenbergite (FeCaSiO) and augite, and partial solid solutions with orthopyroxene and pigeonite. It forms variably colored, but typically dull green crystals in the monoclinic prismatic class. It has two distinct prismatic cleavages at 87 and 93° typical of the pyroxene series. It has a Mohs hardness of six, a Vickers hardness of 7.7 GPa at a load of 0.98 N, and a specific gravity of 3.25 to 3.55. It is transparent to translucent with indices of refraction of n=1.663–1.699, n=1.671–1.705, and n=1.693–1.728. The optic angle is 58° to 63°.
Usage examples of "diopside".
Emeralds cut and in matrix, tsavorite cut and in matrix, peridot and diopside and corundum, topaz and diamonds scintillating.