Entry № 128
Diopside
Calcium Magnesium Silicate
A pale-to-green pyroxene of contact metamorphism.
Chakra
Heart · Third Eye
Element
Earth
Zodiac
Virgo
I. The Metaphysical Reading
How the stone has been held.
Diopside is worked with as a stone of calm attention, kept nearby during quiet caregiving, tutoring and the small acts of listening that hold a household together. Practitioners hold it as a reminder that a steady presence is itself a kind of teaching.
- Chakra
- Heart · Third Eye
- Element
- Earth
- Zodiac
- Virgo
- Keynote
- A pale-to-green pyroxene of contact metamorphism.
II. The Scientific Reading
What the lattice actually does.
Diopside is a rock-forming pyroxene common in metamorphosed limestones and ultramafic rocks. Its gem varieties include chrome diopside (green from chromium, treated as a separate atlas entry), violan (a blue manganese-bearing form) and star or cat's-eye diopside caused by fibrous inclusions. Fine crystals come from Italian marbles and Russian kimberlites.
- Formula
- CaMgSi₂O₆
- System
- Monoclinic
- Hardness
- 5.5 – 6.5 (Mohs)
- Provenance
- Italy, Russia, USA (New York), Pakistan, Madagascar, Finland
References & Sources
Independent mineralogical references used to verify the scientific details above.
Mineral Profile
Fact Sheet
- Chemical Formula
- CaMgSi₂O₆
- Crystal System
- Monoclinic
- Mohs Hardness
- 5.5 – 6.5 (Mohs)
- Density
- 3.22 – 3.38 g/cm³
- Refractive Index
- 1.664 – 1.730
- Provenance
- Italy, Russia, USA (New York), Pakistan, Madagascar, Finland
- Color Origin
- Colourless, pale to dark green, occasionally star or cat's-eye
Related Crystals
Stones that share this lattice
Next in the Atlas
Dioptase
A copper silicate whose green rivals emerald itself.
