Diopside (Specimen #100207)

Mineral(s): Diopside 

Location: Orford Nickel Mine, St-Denis-de-Brompton, Le Val-Saint-Francois RCM, Estrie, Quebec, Canada 

Size: 7.1 x 4 x 4 cm. 

Description: A beautiful specimen primarily comprised of multiple intertwined diopside crystals (some terminated).  Some of the larger crystals on the specimen are “curved” and are 2 cm in length.  The specimen is an attractive chromium green. These bladed specimens are becoming more difficult to obtain especially with complete and terminated crystals. 

The Orford Nickel mine was first explored in 1860 and was the first operating nickel mine in Canada.  Mining for nickel occurred between 1877 and 1882.  Access to this site is currently limited.  The locale is famous for excellent specimens of diopside, green grossular garnet, orange grossular garnet and millerite.