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Some crystals of diopside contain enough chromium to give them a rich green color. These can be cut into beautiful faceted stones, beads, and cabochons. The appearance of these stones is best when they are under two carats because the material is often dark or strongly saturated. Chrome diopside is occasionally seen in commercial jewelry. It has…

Most diamonds found at or near Earth’s surface were delivered from the mantle during deep-source volcanic eruptions. These diamonds occur in vertical igneous structures known as pipes, which are often composed of kimberlite or peridotite. These pipes are difficult to locate. Their surface exposure is usually covered with soil and vegetation, and it might be…

The most common occurrence of diopside at Earth’s surface is as a primary mineral in olivine-rich basalts and andesites. In these rocks it can be present in quantities of a few weight percent. Diopside also forms during contact metamorphism of limestones and dolomites. Most of the crystalline diopside used to cut faceted gems and the granular diopside used as ornamental stone occurs in these…

Diopside is a rock-forming pyroxene mineral with a chemical composition of MgCaSi2O6. It occurs in igneous and metamorphic rocks at many locations around the world. Gem-quality crystals of diopside are faceted into attractive gemstones that are occasionally seen in commercial jewelry. Granular diopside can be easily cut and polished. When it has an attractive color, it is sometimes used as an ornamental stone. Perhaps the most…