General Information:
Chemical Formula:
CaMgSi2O6
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 216.55 gm)
Calcium 18.51 % Ca
Magnesium 11.22 % Mg
Silicon 25.94 % Si
Oxygen 44.33 % O
Empirical Formula:
CaMg(Si2O6)
Environment:
Basic and ultrabasic igneous and metamorphic rocks.
IMA Status:
Approved IMA 1987
Locality:
Wide spread occurrence.
Name Origin:
From the Greek dis - "two kinds" and opsis - "opinion."
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[110] Good, [???] Indistinct
Color:
blue, brown, colorless, green, or gray.
Density:
3.25 - 3.55, Average = 3.4
Diaphaniety:
Transparent to translucent
Habits:
Prismatic - Crystals Shaped like Slender Prisms (e.g. tourmaline)., Blocky - Crystal shape tends to be equant (e.g. feldspars)., Granular - Generally occurs as anhedral to subhedral c rystals in matrix.
Hardness:
6 - Orthoclase
Luminescence:
None.
Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak:
white green
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