A species of Minerals, Also known as Jadeite-diopside, Tuxtlite
Omphacite is a member of the clinopyroxene group of silicate minerals with formula: (Ca, Na)(Mg, Fe, Al)Si2O6. It is a variably deep to pale green or nearly colorless variety of clinopyroxene. It normally appears in eclogite, which is the high-pressure metamorphic rock of basalt. Omphacite is the solid solution of Fe-bearing diopside and jadeite. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system with prismatic, typically twinned forms, though usually anhedral. Its space group can be P2/n or C2/c depending on the thermal history. It exhibits the typical near 90° pyroxene cleavage. It is brittle with specific gravity of 3.29 to 3.39 and a Mohs hardness of 5 to 6.
Hardness:
5 - 6
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Properties
Characteristics
Cultural
Common Questions
General Info About Omphacite
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Physical Properties of Omphacite
Colors
dark green
Streak
Greenish white
Hardness
5 - 6 , Moderate
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Chemical Properties of Omphacite
Formula
(NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(AleFe3+fFe2+gMgh)Si2O6
Optical Properties of Omphacite
Refractive Index
1.662-1.723
Pleochroism
Weak: colorless, very pale green, very pale green, blue-green
Optical Character
Biaxial positive
Characteristics of Omphacite
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Composition of Omphacite
Omphacite is the solid solution of Fe-bearing diopside (CaMgSi2O6) and jadeite (NaAlSi2O6). Depending on how much the coupled substitution of (Na, Al)-(Mg-Fe, Ca) happens, the chemical composition of omphacite varies continuously from pure diopside to pure jadeite. Due to the relatively small radius of (Na, Al) atoms, the unit cell volume linearly decreases as jadeite component increases. In addition, the coupled substitution also stiffens the crystals. The bulk and shear modulus linearly increases as jadeite component increases.
Cultural Significance of Omphacite
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The Meaning of Omphacite
Omphacite is often thought to be a type of jade, and as such, throughout history, it was believed to have the same benefits. It was traditionally thought of by the Mayans and Aztecs as a pain reliever. The Chinese have long believed that omphacite (or Jade) is a heavenly stone that can bring about prosperity whilst shielding its wearers from bad spirits.
Etymology of Omphacite
It was first described in 1815 in the Münchberg Metamorphic complex, Franconia, Bavaria, Germany. The name omphacite derives from the Greek omphax or unripe grape for the typical green color.
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