VDiop109 - V, Cr Rich Diopside with Graphite and Calcite - Block D, Merelani Hills, Lelatema Mts, Arusha Region, Namibia

Sharp, translucent to transparent crystal of vanadium and chromium rich diopside from Merelani. The diopside crystal measures 3.4 x 1.0 cm and has a rich, green apple color. A few smaller crystals are present in the attached tan calcite crystals. Combination specimens like this are somewhat rare - most of the tremolite and diopside crystals found were completely detached crystals. This specimen was found in 2006. 3.5 x 1.7 x 1.5 cm.

For more information on this locality, please see the superb article by John Jaszczak and Daniel Trinchillo in Rocks and Minerals, Vol. 88, Issue 2 (the abstract can be found here).