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chrome diopside (which includes chromium giving it a rich green color). At 5.5-6.5
on the Mohs scale, chrome diopside is relatively soft to scratch. Mohs scale of hardness
does not measure tensile strength or resistance to fracture.
Chrome diopside ((Ca,Na,Mg,Fe,Cr)2(Si,Al)2O6) is a common constituent of
peridotite xenoliths, and dispersed grains are found near kimberlite pipes, and as
such are a prospecting indicator for diamonds. Occurrences are reported in Canada,
South Africa, Russia and a wide variety of other locations.
Diopside was first described about 1800 and derives its name from the Greek dis -
"two kinds" or "double" and opsis - "opinion" or "appearance" in reference to the two
ways of orienting the vertical prism.
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