Chrome diopside stone is a green colored mineral that is a type of diopside. It is used as an ornamental material, and stones of good quality are in great demand among jewelers.
Chrome diopside stone
Green crystals gained popularity relatively recently - they began to be used in the jewelry industry only about 50 years ago. Chrome diopside is surprisingly similar to emerald, especially if you give it a characteristic cut and a rectangular or square shape. Perhaps this fact influenced the popularity of the gem and its cost.
Place of Birth
They are mined in Finland, South Africa, China, Myanmar, Japan, a number of European countries, Australia, and North America. However, reserves of the natural mineral are limited everywhere and the quality does not reach jewelry value. The richest deposit is in Russia, on the Inagli River in Yakutia. The discoverer of the deposit was the prominent geologist A. Korchagin, who proved the value of the mineral for jewelry.
Mineral chrome diopside
The deposit is rich, stones are generously scattered along the banks of the river. The weight of gems varies; there are very voluminous crystals, but they are usually defective. More often, stones weighing up to 2 carats come onto the market; these are easier to process and their quality is higher.
Since the late 80s, chrome diopside, popularly nicknamed the “Yakut emerald” (in some sources - sibirlite), has been officially mined and sold as a gemstone. Mining in Russia was initially active, so the market was oversaturated with stone, including illegally mined stone. Due to this, the cost is low.
It turned out that chrome diopside stone is the cheapest green jewelry raw material. In the last decade of the 20th century, order was established with the use of the deposit, and the price per gram stabilized.
Mining and stone processing
In Russia, the largest deposits of chromium diopside are concentrated in Yakutia and the Republic of Sakha. The mineral is also mined in Siberia and Bashkiria; there are pinpoint deposits there.
The suppliers of chrome diopside on the world market are:
- Czech Republic;
- Madagascar;
- Australia;
- Finland;
- SOUTH AFRICA.
Due to its low hardness, the mineral lends itself well to processing, but its cutting is associated with certain difficulties. Mostly, small specimens are chosen for decoration; they are easier to process.
Most often, the crystal is turned into a cabochon shape, but the range of methods for polishing the stone is unlimited. Stones can be found in the form of a pyramid, rhombus, or ellipse.
Here's a video of what the processed stone looks like:
Magic properties
Chrome diopside has magical properties. According to esotericists, it is a strong amulet that protects the owner from the evil eye, damage, and other negative influences. It is believed that it takes away all the bad, transforms it into positive and returns it to the owner, increasing the latter’s energy power. The magic of the stone helps to acquire harmony with the world around you and yourself, makes your character softer, develops good-heartedness, and relieves you of negative thoughts, emotions and character traits.
Ring with stone
If a person has firmly decided to change his life for the better, the stone will help him find the right solution, a way out of a difficult situation. He does not like and does not help those who are passive and indifferent.
Chrome diopside is credited with the ability to increase the level of well-being of the owner. Additional sources of income will appear, your own business will improve, and your career will develop successfully. A man who dreams of this wears a stone in a ring, a woman in a ring.
A bracelet with a processed mineral, worn on your right hand, will help you catch a moment of good luck in any area of life.
Artificial chrome diopside
Despite the fact that Yakut emeralds have been known for less than a century, craftsmen have learned to synthesize an analogue of real chrome diopside in the following way. The crystal particles remaining after cutting a natural stone are placed in a special device along with various chemical components. Here, under the influence of pressure and high temperatures, a reaction occurs, as a result of which the artificial stone crystallizes. The finished artificial gem is obtained a month and a half after the start of the process. Only experienced jewelers can distinguish a natural analogue from a mineral created in a laboratory.
ARTIFICIAL CHROMDIOPSIDE
Healing properties of the stone
A positive effect of chrome diopside on the human nervous system has been revealed: it normalizes the emotional background, banishes depression, and relieves insomnia. This is understandable, because green is a calming color. The stone creates an aura of balance, calm, and inner harmony.
It eliminates conflict situations and sets the owner up to reconcile with the imperfections of the people around him and the world as a whole.
Wearing the stone is indicated for people with pathologies in the heart and blood vessels. For example, hypertension, angina pectoris, and arrhythmia are subject to it. Headaches, eye fatigue, and colds disappear when you keep the stone with you for a long time.
Chrome diopsides
Specialists in lithotherapy (stone therapy) assure that if you set the stone in silver and wear it as a pendant, it will help in the treatment of respiratory diseases. If framed in gold, problems associated with the gastrointestinal tract will go away.
It is captivating that the mineral has no contraindications when used for medicinal purposes. It also prepares the sick body for serious treatment. In this case, it is recommended to place the mineral on the heart area and move it with light movements to the solar plexus.
Scientific data
Diopside stone, regardless of variety, shows white streak color and shines like glass. The physical properties indicate the ability to increase density depending on the impurity content in the mineral. The more chromium and iron, the higher the indicator, fluctuations are from 3.25 to 3.55 g per cubic meter. cm.
Hardness on the Mohs scale ranges from 5.5 to 6 units. All varieties of stone exhibit pleochroism, that is, the ability to change color depending on the passing light and direction of view. Diopside with a pure composition has no effect.
The name "diopside" comes from the roots of Greek words meaning "two kinds" or "double appearance." Sometimes the mineral is called “malakos”, which translates as “soft”. The stone was first discovered on the Ala River in Italy, which is why its first name is “alalit”.
Who does chrome diopside match according to their zodiac sign?
Astrology warns: the stone is not suitable for every zodiac sign. Favors Taurus, Libra, Pisces. Moreover, it means different things for a person depending on their place in the horoscope. Taurus should wear it as a talisman - they will become more confident in their abilities, accelerate their career advancement, and increase their material wealth. Libra will change your life for the better. It will put Pisces in a cheerful mood and help them say goodbye to melancholic moods.
Silver brooch
It is better not to purchase chrome diopside for Aries or Capricorns - there will be no benefit. For them, possessing a stone is fraught with depression, nervousness, and imbalance. This will worsen relationships with others.
Suitable for representatives of other zodiac signs. By wearing chrome diopside jewelry, they will be delighted with joyful events in life.
Since the “Siberian emerald” is called two-faced, its energetic power can only be used for good purposes. Otherwise, unforeseen consequences may occur.
| Zodiac signs | Compatibility |
| Aries | – |
| Taurus | +++ |
| Twins | + |
| Cancer | + |
| a lion | + |
| Virgo | + |
| Scales | +++ |
| Scorpion | + |
| Sagittarius | + |
| Capricorn | – |
| Aquarius | + |
| Fish | + |
(“+++” – fits perfectly, “+” – can be worn, “-” – is strictly contraindicated
Jewelry with chrome diopside
The mineral is processed with step or diamond cutting, cabochon, baguette. It is framed in silver or gold. Ultimately placed in earrings, rings, pendants, brooches, cufflinks, rings. Bracelets, beads and necklaces are made from cut stones.
Crystals framed in blackened silver look interesting. Silver items with chrome diopside inserts will complement, making not only a daily, but also a festive outfit irresistible. And the ability of the stone to change its color, depending on the lighting, will add mystery to your appearance.
Due to the fragility of the stone, it must be carried carefully and carefully.
To avoid hairline cracks and other damage, always remove jewelry when engaging in strenuous activities. To clean the stone, use a soft brush and warm water. When storing, keep away from other jewelry or wrap in cloth before placing in the jewelry box.
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Use by jewelers
Due to its beautiful shine, it is widely used in jewelry. In appearance, as already mentioned, it is very reminiscent of an emerald. Meanwhile, its price is much lower, so chrome diopside is used to make inexpensive but exquisite jewelry.
They are cut in the shape of a circle, an oval, and an emerald cut is used when, after special processing, reflections of light flash from time to time on the crystals. The stone looks extremely advantageous.
Pure minerals are more valued, but cloudy specimens are also used, and the result is no worse. However, the latter are often used for crafts rather than jewelry.
Blackened silver as a finish gives the chrome diopside style and originality. Silver jewelry with stones look expensive and elegant, despite their cheapness. Unusual earrings made of gemstones in a gold frame. Beads made from processed and unprocessed stones look original. The beauty of chrome diopside is unique, and any skillfully made jewelry made from it will delight gem lovers and connoisseurs of beauty.
Green mineral souvenir
The influence of impurities on appearance
Varieties
Emerald green chrome diopside and its black star-shaped counterpart are the brightest representatives of diopside, a mineral of the group of chain silicates (pyroxenes). A distinctive feature of the crystals is their elongated tetrahedrons, which are directed in different directions. In addition to these two types, this includes:
- purple and blue violan;
- two varieties of schifferite (with an admixture of manganese and a combination of manganese and zinc);
- jeffersonite (manganese, zinc and iron);
- apple green laurelite.
Chemistry in action
The basis of any of the presented types of diopside is described by the chemical formula CaMg(Si2O6). The majority of the composition is occupied by silicon oxide – almost 56%. In second place is calcium (26%), in third place is magnesium (up to 18%).
The main external role is played by impurities. In chrome diopside, it is chromium that gives the green color. A black mineral with an asterism effect, like other colored diopsides, is formed due to certain combinations when mixing iron, aluminum, vanadium, manganese, and titanium.
How to care for a fragile crystal
It has already been mentioned that the stone is fragile. When it comes to caring, you need to follow simple rules so that you can enjoy your jewelry for as long as possible. Store in a separate box, wrapped in soft cloth.
Care without using abrasives or chemicals, using only warm water and a soft brush. Sometimes you can make a soap solution. Wipe carefully with a soft cloth. Protect from mechanical damage.
In pendants, pendants, and earrings, the stone is preserved better than in a ring, ring, or bracelet.
Description and properties
Depending on where the mineral was mined, its color can have different shades: first of all, it is characterized by green color, which is why it is compared to emerald, but shades of yellow, purple and even black are also possible in different combinations with green.
The predominant green color gives the mineral the presence of chromium in it, and other shades are obtained depending on additional impurities. Sometimes mineralogists encounter diopsides with a red or red-brown tint. This combination of colors in minerals is extremely rare, so when sold they are valued higher than other stones and go on sale much faster. In its pure form, i.e. without the presence of any impurities, the mineral has no color.
The color characteristics of a stone are determined by three criteria: tone, shade, color intensity. Gems with bright, rich colors are of the greatest value.
The stone does not glow in the dark, but just put it under bright sunlight and it will immediately begin to shine.
Chrome diopside is classified as a 3-4 order jewelry stone. The assignment of a quality group depends on the transparency and defectiveness of the mineral: whether it contains cracks, stripes, or pinpoint inclusions. The stone is examined using special equipment in reflected light, and always against a white background. The light source is chosen at the discretion of the jeweler; it can be a fluorescent lamp or natural light.
Chrome diopside is a soft and brittle material with a good level of decomposition. Jewelry with it should be worn extremely carefully and with caution, remembering to remove it if you plan to play sports or do heavy housework. If necessary, chrome diopside can be cleaned with warm water and soap; when cleaning, use a soft brush or a piece of cloth. Do not use products containing chemicals.
The most popular types of cuts are round, oval and emerald. In any of them, the gem looks ideally advantageous. The larger the size of the mineral, the darker its color becomes. Sometimes a large stone comes across so dark that it appears almost black. Chrome diopside resembles emerald in color, and their similarity is limited only by color. This mineral is superior to its known counterpart in many respects, for example, the refractive index, i.e. ability to refract light.
Place of Birth
At the moment, there are deposits of chromium diopside in the USA, Italy, Greece, Germany, Japan, Austria, Canada, China and other countries. But the reserves in these countries are extremely insignificant and all of them are of only mineralogical significance. The deposits failed to gain widespread popularity because... they have no jewelry value compared to Russian Siberian emerald.
In Russia, the first deposit was discovered in Yakutia, and it is also the richest. No country in the world can compare in the abundance of this mineral. Placers of stones stretch along the entire bank of the river, which is a breathtaking landscape for anyone who first encounters the unique terrain of Yakutia.
You can even find crystals up to half a meter in size, but gems of this size will necessarily have physical defects, and that is why it is so difficult to cut them. Mostly, gems weighing 1-2 carats are sold; larger ones are rare, and therefore their price is inflated.
Application
When making jewelry, only small crystals are cut, because... chrome diopside is extremely fragile and capricious in finishing. If not for this fact, then chrome diopside would claim priority in the jewelry world among green precious stones. Only skilled craftsmen who have mastered this stone well work with it constantly.
Yakut emerald is in perfect harmony with yellow gold and black silver. Such products look very stylish and satisfy the needs of even the most picky connoisseurs of unique jewelry. Chrome diopside is also excellent for making earrings, pendants, brooches and is highly undesirable to use in making rings because they are subject to the greatest mechanical stress.
When purchasing products made from colored stones, you should, first of all, pay attention not to its weight in carats, but to the size, because colored stones of the same color can have different sizes because the relative density of different types differs.
Diopside jewelry should be stored separately from other jewelry. It is preferable to wrap the decoration in a separate piece of soft fabric.
“Partners” of chrome diopside
Compatibility with other stones is good. Jewelers will tell you that stones of the same color work best together. The statement is also true for our “hero”. Moreover, all green minerals and stones are able to combine with almost all others, except that ruby is not suitable.
The secret of compatibility of precious stones is well known: bright specimens “marry” more successfully with equally rich and noticeable ones. Minerals of muted colors - with similar pastels.
A beautiful “Siberian emerald” inserted into an elegant frame is not only an adornment, but also a talisman, an island of faith, hope, love in the stormy sea of life. Among the meanings of the stone is that it gives rest, providing an aura of joy and health around the owner. Buying a product made of chrome diopside is the right decision.
History of chrome diopside stone
Deposits of chromium diopside in Russia were discovered relatively recently. Its production began in Yakutia in 1968. Soviet geologist A.M. Korchagin explored it for the first time. He gave a detailed description of the gem, and also analyzed its properties and characteristics. True, the possibility of officially selling the stone appeared only in 1988.
Chrome diopside deposits are granular solid masses or prismatic crystals, which are often structurally embedded in other rocks. This is the rock-forming gem of kimberlites. Often it is adjacent to a deposit of a diamond gemstone.
Based on the results of the analyses, it turned out that chrome diopside is an excellent jewelry material. In addition to Russia, its production is carried out in France, Angola, South Africa and China. However, it is Russian deposits that are the largest. The gem is often called “inaglit” or “Yakut emerald” due to some external similarity with the striking emerald.
