A group name for pyroxenes crystallizing in the monoclinic crystal system and sometimes containing considerable amounts of calcium with or without aluminum. Examples include diopside, augite, and jadeite.
a type of pyroxene, any of a group of silicate minerals having the general formula ABSi2O6, where A is usually calcium, sodium, magnesium, or iron, and B is usually magnesium, iron, chromium, manganese, or aluminum. Pyroxenes occur in basic igneous rocks and some metamorphic rocks, and have colours ranging from white to dark green or black. They may be monoclinic (clinopyroxenes) or orthorhombic (orthopyroxenes) in crystal structure.