Diopside with Phlogopite Mica

Item Description

Certainly an odd specimen for the region in terms of morphology and color. We've seen a handful of Diopsides on matrix from this part of Afghanistan over the years, but this particular piece has a notably softer mint green hue which is a stark contrast from the very dark green Diopsides that came out years ago (early 2000s). Three isolated, fairly sharp and well-formed, blocky prismatic crystals of Diopside measuring up to 3.7 cm long are sitting on white marble matrix with a sprinkling of golden semi-metallic Mica (most likely Phlogopite). The largest Diopside crystal is actually best seen from the reverse angle of the piece. There are a few contacts here and there, so it's not 100% damage free, but it's definitely unique and it doesn't resemble any other Diopsides that we've seen from any metamorphic marble deposit in Afghanistan. Included with the piece is a specimen analysis stating that it was both x-rayed and microprobed for confirmation.