Diopside

Seiland Island is almost at the very northern extremity of Norway and is host to over twenty mineral species.  Amongst these the calcium-manganese silicate Diopside occurs and this miniature is a remarkably fine example.  Well defined yet slightly rounded individual Diopside crystals form a three-dimensional mass with good crystals covering every face of the specimen.  The largest Diopside measures 2.9 cm long and all have a brilliant glassy lustre.  Although no more specific locality can be given than Seiland Island in the far north of Norway, it is from Alta in Finnmark, which narrows it to the lower half of the island.