Event Title

Diopside: History, properties, occurrences, and uses

Location

Parker-Reed, SSWAC

Start Date

1-5-2014 2:00 PM

End Date

1-5-2014 3:00 PM

Project Type

Poster

Description

First described circa 1808 in Europe by an unknown source, diopsides name derives from the Greek dis, meaning twice and opsis, meaning appearance, due to the fact that its vertical prism can be oriented two ways. Diopside wasnt truly researched until later in the 20th century, when a large vein of chromium-bearing diopside was found by a mining expedition in Russia. Discovered as a cheaper and more abundant alternative to tsavorite or emerald, diopside soon rose to popularity as a gemstone. However, its softness (a 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness) and tendency to darken in larger samples still limits its use to small earrings and pendants. To learn more about diopsides usage, physical aspects, and optical properties, stop by my poster.

Faculty Sponsor

Tasha Dunn

Sponsoring Department

Colby College. Geology Dept.

CLAS Field of Study

Natural Sciences

Event Website

http://www.colby.edu/clas

ID

787

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May 1st, 2:00 PM May 1st, 3:00 PM

Diopside: History, properties, occurrences, and uses

Parker-Reed, SSWAC

First described circa 1808 in Europe by an unknown source, diopsides name derives from the Greek dis, meaning twice and opsis, meaning appearance, due to the fact that its vertical prism can be oriented two ways. Diopside wasnt truly researched until later in the 20th century, when a large vein of chromium-bearing diopside was found by a mining expedition in Russia. Discovered as a cheaper and more abundant alternative to tsavorite or emerald, diopside soon rose to popularity as a gemstone. However, its softness (a 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness) and tendency to darken in larger samples still limits its use to small earrings and pendants. To learn more about diopsides usage, physical aspects, and optical properties, stop by my poster.

https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2014/program/249