Gemstones Page
Shown below, are some gemstones that I
recently cut, with information on that mineral
Diopside
Magnesium Calcium Silicate
| Diopside occurs in somewhat stocky or elongated
prismatic crystals, or as aggragates of rod shaped crystals,the color often being being bottle green, through yellow green, to blackish green, but occasionally a bright green. In some cases
it is semi-opaque, with internal fibrosity. It has a specific gravity of approximately 3.3, and a hardness of 5.6 - 6.0, displays strong birefringence, and has a vitreous luster. The test streak is white. The transparent types are used as gemstones. Material from India contains fibers, which gives the cut and polished stone asterism. When this occurs, it is called a Star Diopside. Star Diopside has only binary symmetry, and the star has four rays, rather than six, like other star stones. The four rays, two of which are straight, while the other two, not at right angles to the first pair, look slightly wavy. Also, one axis has a thinner line than the other. Some Diopside from Italy, contains metallic Manganese ions, and colors the opaque mineral purple, and it is called Violane. Sometimes metallic Chromium ions are part of the atomic structure, and color the mineral a beautiful vivid green. When Chrome is present in Beryl crystals, it colors them green also, and they are called Emeralds. When this happens to Diopside, it is called appropriately, Chrome Diopside. The transparent Chrome Diopside crystals are very pretty, and make beautiful gemstones when cut and polished, looking much like an emerald. This variety of Diopside occures mostly in Russia. Shown below are two cut gemstones of Diopside. |
This is an oval cut cabochon Star Diopside |
This is an oval cut faceted Chrome Diopside |
If you are a cabachon cutter or faceter too,
Let me know by e-mail.
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