History & Introduction
If you are looking for a green gemstone with rich color and excellent clarity, then
naturally you would prefer emerald. However, in 1988 a new find of chromium-bearing
diopside was found in Russia termed as chrome diopside, the material gained popularity
in the market after the Berlin Wall fall. But finally, there was a rich green gem
at an affordable price - under $100 a carat in smaller sizes.
The important diopside discovery in Russia was in eastern Siberia. The color of
diopside is because of chromium, the same element that gives the color to alexandrite,
ruby and emerald. The color was spectacular; chrome diopside in fact glows with
green. Diopside got its name from the Greek word dis, "twice", and òpsè, "face"
in reference to the two ways of orienting the vertical prism.
In fact, few limitations are followed for this gem. First, chrome diopside can actually
suffer from too much green - in larger sizes the tone is very bright. In larger
gemstones careful cutting is required, to make the angles slightly shallow and improve
brilliance and in case of small gemstones the color is bright and fresh.
The other limitation is that diopside is much softer than other green stones. It
is not suitable for rings, but it is well suited for earrings and pendants, and
looks stunning when it is set in gold. Diopside jewelry should be stored carefully
to avoid scratches from harder stones.
Recognise - Chrome diopside is much softer as compared to tsavorite
garnet and tourmaline, and using the scratch testing it is easily distinguished
from other similar colored gemstones, even emerald. Chrome diopside is recognized
from other minerals through its calcium magnesium silicate composition, however
it is discerned from other diopsides through the occurrence of chromium. Chrome
diopside is also recognized through the observance of its distinct monoclinic crystal
structure that is different from tourmaline's trigonal formation, cubic crystals
of tsavorite garnet and emerald's (beryl) hexagonal structure. Some of the diopside
which are rare may occur with chatoyancy or asterism that is identified by its unique
reflection of light.
Availability - Diopside of facetable nature is extracted from Italy,
Austria, Finland, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mynamar (Burma), U.S. (New York) and China.
Russia is the main source of gem, still other deposits are also present in Pakistan,
Finland and Afghanistan. Violane is mainly available in Italy, and Star Diopside
comes from India.
Usages - Chrome Diopside is faceted into gemstone cuts especially
for earrings and pendants. Due to softness tendency it is not used for rings and
bracelet purpose. Star Diopside and the purple variety Violane are faceted into
cabochons mostly as collectors’ gems.
Buying Guide
Color - Chrome diopside gets its color from chromium and can display
varying shadows of green. The color which in demand is a rich, deep forest green
color alike tsavorite garnet and chrome tourmaline. Most valuable is the chorme
with medium-dark green color. Chrome diopside owes its color to trace elements of
chromium that is even the same element responsible for the green in emerald and
the red in ruby.
Clarity and Lustre - Chrome diopside is frequently found in very
high clarity and transparency. Some varieties of diopside are found natural that
adds (star diopside), however in case of chrome diopside, additions are naturally
not acceptable unless viewable only through magnification. The chrome diopside luster
ranges from vitreous to dull when cut and polished.
Cut and Shape - Chrome diopside is available in various shapes
and styles, but the famous cuts are faceted emerald (octagon), oval cushion and
round cuts. Few of the fancy faceted shapes are trillions, hearts and pear shapes
can be found, however they are rare. Almost all chrome diopside gems will be cut
smaller than other gem types, naturally the weight is less than 1 carat each. Chrome
diopside may be cut to en cabochon, but then it is very rare and perhaps only with
lower quality material. In order to maximize brilliance and color it is facetated
at shallow angles is preferred.
Treatment - There are no known official treatments or enhancements
for chrome diopside. It is only of the varieties of gems that remains totally untreated
in production.
Gemological Characteristics: