Diopside: a mineral belonging to the Pyroxene Group—which also includes Augite, Aegirine, Bronzite, Fassaite, Hedenbergite, Hypersthene, Omphacite, and Spodumene—with the chemical formula CaMg(Si₂O₆). It is translucent, has a vitreous luster, and ranges in color from gray to green, yellow, or colorless. Diopside crystallizes in the Monoclinic System and typically occurs as rare, small prismatic-tabular, short, or lamellar crystals, as well as in coarse granular aggregates. It is found in basic to intermediate igneous rocks and occasionally in metamorphic rocks.
