chrome diopside |
Chrome (dye-OP-side)
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BUYER’S OVERVIEW:
Diopside is a relative newcomer, discovered in 1988 with only one location, Russia’s Eastern Siberia. Chrome Diopside began attracting increasing attention due to its intense green color, often rivaling the color of the better known Emerald or Tsavorite. While limited in nature, gems of good color and size are available, however, Chrome, Star and Cat’s-eye Diopside are all rare and smaller stones are the norm. The Star Diopside is often quite dark, with rutile needles producing a four-rayed star (unlike the Star Sapphire which has 6 rays). The most sought after color is the vivid green of the Chrome Diopside, the rarest color is dark blue to violet.
COLOR:
Diopside comes in many colors: bluish green to yellowish green, brown, black; rarely blue to violet, or colorless to white. With increasing size the color of green Chrome Diopside appears darker and can turn almost black
APPEARANCE:
Transparent to opaque, Diopside is a Type II gemstone and is usually included.
Phenomena: Diopside can exhibit the phenomena of Chatoyancy (a striking three dimensional effect typically seen in tiger eye quartz) as well as Asterism, a pattern of reflected light that forms star patterns (usually 4-rayed but may be 6), typically seen in sapphire and rubies.
SIZE RANGE:
1 to 10 carats.
POSSIBLE ENHANCEMENTS & TREATMENTS:
Diopside has no known enhancements.
HARDNESS:
5½ to 6 on the Mohs scale.
BEST USE OF THE GEMSTONE:
Diopside is not a strong gemstone and as such, earrings, pendants, pins, and tie tacks are probably the safest choice for this stone. Rings should be limited to occasional wear and the stones should be set with a protective setting.
CARE & CLEANING:
Diopside needs special care to avoid scratching the surface of the gemstone. It is advisable to wrap the gem or jewelry containing Diopside in a soft cloth to prevent the stone from rubbing against metal or another gemstone during storage. It is best to never expose colored gemstones to cleaning solvents or chemicals of any kind.
Common cleaning methods include:
Ultrasonic: never
Steamer: never (very heat sensitive)
Warm soapy water: safe
Reaction to Chemicals: can be damaged by acids.
Reaction to Heat: very heat sensitive
Stability to Light: stable
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GEMSTONE:
Diopside actually represents a small group of lesser known gems including the 4-ray Star Diopside, the striking Cat’s-eye Diopside, with one strong ray resembling a cat’s eye and the better known, vivid green Chrome Diopside. In 1988 a major find of a chromium-bearing Diopside was discovered in Russia however, the material didn’t begin to reach the market until 1989 when the Berlin Wall fell. This deposit is found in eastern Siberia, close to the world famous diamond mines.
DESIGNATION:
A lesser-known gemstone, Diopside currently has no traditions associated with it.
Diopside is a relative newcomer, discovered in 1988 with only one location, Russia’s Eastern Siberia. Chrome Diopside began attracting increasing attention due to its intense green color, often rivaling the color of the better known Emerald or Tsavorite. While limited in nature, gems of good color and size are available, however, Chrome, Star and Cat’s-eye Diopside are all rare and smaller stones are the norm. The Star Diopside is often quite dark, with rutile needles producing a four-rayed star (unlike the Star Sapphire which has 6 rays). The most sought after color is the vivid green of the Chrome Diopside, the rarest color is dark blue to violet.
COLOR:
Diopside comes in many colors: bluish green to yellowish green, brown, black; rarely blue to violet, or colorless to white. With increasing size the color of green Chrome Diopside appears darker and can turn almost black
APPEARANCE:
Transparent to opaque, Diopside is a Type II gemstone and is usually included.
Phenomena: Diopside can exhibit the phenomena of Chatoyancy (a striking three dimensional effect typically seen in tiger eye quartz) as well as Asterism, a pattern of reflected light that forms star patterns (usually 4-rayed but may be 6), typically seen in sapphire and rubies.
SIZE RANGE:
1 to 10 carats.
POSSIBLE ENHANCEMENTS & TREATMENTS:
Diopside has no known enhancements.
HARDNESS:
5½ to 6 on the Mohs scale.
BEST USE OF THE GEMSTONE:
Diopside is not a strong gemstone and as such, earrings, pendants, pins, and tie tacks are probably the safest choice for this stone. Rings should be limited to occasional wear and the stones should be set with a protective setting.
CARE & CLEANING:
Diopside needs special care to avoid scratching the surface of the gemstone. It is advisable to wrap the gem or jewelry containing Diopside in a soft cloth to prevent the stone from rubbing against metal or another gemstone during storage. It is best to never expose colored gemstones to cleaning solvents or chemicals of any kind.
Common cleaning methods include:
Ultrasonic: never
Steamer: never (very heat sensitive)
Warm soapy water: safe
Reaction to Chemicals: can be damaged by acids.
Reaction to Heat: very heat sensitive
Stability to Light: stable
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GEMSTONE:
Diopside actually represents a small group of lesser known gems including the 4-ray Star Diopside, the striking Cat’s-eye Diopside, with one strong ray resembling a cat’s eye and the better known, vivid green Chrome Diopside. In 1988 a major find of a chromium-bearing Diopside was discovered in Russia however, the material didn’t begin to reach the market until 1989 when the Berlin Wall fell. This deposit is found in eastern Siberia, close to the world famous diamond mines.
DESIGNATION:
A lesser-known gemstone, Diopside currently has no traditions associated with it.