Vaughan deposit, Cairn Mining Centre, Yinnietharra, Upper Gascoyne Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Vaughan deposit	Prospect
Cairn Mining Centre	- not defined -
Yinnietharra	Station (farming)
Upper Gascoyne Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

Located 13 kilometres north-west of Morrissey Hill, on an isolated low hill west of the Thirty One River. It is the only occurrence of gem quality diopside in Western Australia. Some specimens have been seen for sale in recent years (2013).

Well known specimen miner David Vaughan discovered the deposit.

It is a calc-silicate lens containing massive diopside overlain by a silcrete regolith caprock. The highest concentration of gem quality diopside is found in the caprock, which through weathering processes have been cemented into the silcrete. The largest crystal found was doubly terminated but fractured, 59 x 35 x 24mm, with most recovered being around 20mm in length. Much of the material was faceted.

It is thought the diopside may contain some hedenbergite, due to the gemstone's high refractive index and specific gravity at the location (1.675-1.704 and 3.32). The crystals may contain inclusions (possible amphibole), 'healed' fractures are orientated with cleavage planes, cleavages contain secondary iron staining, and growth tubules are evident.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References