Formula: Ca(Mg,Fe)(Si2O6)
Reflected/transmitted colour: diopside colourless, hedenbergite brownish green
Pleochroism: more iron-rich members may show weak pleochroism in pale greens, greenish brown, bluish green and yellow-green
Optical isotropy/anisotropy: biaxial
Optical sign: +
Refractive indices: α = 1.664-1.732, β = 1.672-1.730, γ = 1.694-1.755
Birefringence δ: 0.024-0.031
2Vγ angle: 50-62°
Dispersion: r > v, weak to strong
Optical orientation: α Λ x = 24-34°, β = y, γ Λ z = 38-48°
Optical axial plane: (010)
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