 |
|
|
Diopside has been regarded only as a collector's gemstone until recently, when the deep forest-green Chrome Diopside variety has made its way into the mainstream gemstone market. Although its intense green color rivals that of Emerald, its low hardness makes it prone to scratches, thus limiting it from overwhelming the gemstone industry. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Although Diopside occurs in a variety of colors, the green color is the
most common form. A purple type known as Violane is occasionally
used as a gemstone, and Star Diopside is very dark green to black. But the form of this stone that puts this gemstone on the map is the deep green Chrome Diopside form.
Chrome Diopside in limited quantity is known from several localities, but a large commercially exploitable deposit discovered in Siberia in 1988 made this gemstone readily available to the market. Since then, Pakistan has also become a signficant producer of Chrome Diopside. Chrome Diopside is an affordable gemstone that has an intense forest-green color which rivals that of more expensive Tsavorite and Green Chrome Tourmaline.
Deep green color combined with transparency give a stone more value. Except in lighter colored stones, the faceting of larger cuts is generally avoided because the deep green color tends to make its tone too black. Careful cutting is also necessary in larger stones to keep the facet angles shallow to improve brilliance. The deep green color of Chrome
Diopside is natural and not enhanced.
|
Chrome Diopside is faceted into gemstone cuts mainly for earrings and pendants. It is generally not used for rings and bracelet due to its low hardness. Star Diopside and the purple variety Violane are faceted into cabochons mostly as collectors gems.
|
Diopside gemstones are natural and not heated or enhanced.
|
Diopside of facetable nature comes from Italy, Austria, Finland, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mynamar (Burma), China, and the U.S. (New York). The source of most gem is from Russia, but other deposits also exist in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Finland. Violane is primarily from Italy, and Star Diopside from India.
|
Chrome Diopside has a similar color to both Tsavorite and Chrome Tourmaline, but is softer than those gemstones. The color is also a more forest-green hue than Emerald.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have a question about Diopside? Visit our Q&A Community and ask the experts!
|
|
|
|
Let us know how we can update this page
(Click for more details)
|
|
We strive for accurate content and locality information. If you feel any of the content is incorrect, or if you feel we are missing vital locality information, please fill out the form below so we can update the site. If you are requesting a locality be added, please only include significant locality occurences for the mineral.
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
