Chrome diopside - a charming green stone with a not-so-romantic name

When someone first glances at this beautiful stone, tsavorite, tourmaline, maybe even sometimes peridot may come to mind, but they are unlikely to pronounce the name "chrome diopside."

Intense forest green or deep olive color with fantastic brilliance and clarity that can be envied by many other green gemstones make chrome diopside a true gem. Gaining the popularity it deserves was probably hampered by its somewhat unfortunate name.

"Diopsideis derived from the Greek words dis = "double" and opse = face, appearance," which has to do with the mineral's formation of so-called twin crystals. The second part of the name is due to the content of just chromium in this variety of diopside.

Attempts have been made to call the mineral variously: russalite, sibirlite, vertilite, tashmarine, and even quite confusingly Siberian emerald, but without result. The term "chrome diopside" has stuck to the stone for good, and as a consolation we can only repeat after Shakespeare: "What is the name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell equally."

Diopside itself, as a mineral of the silicate group included in the pyroxene group, was described two hundred years ago by Brazilian mineralogist Jose Bonifacio and is found in many parts of the world. The variety of diopside sometimes called "Black Star of India," also known for centuries, is so dark green in color that it even looks black. The variety containing chromium, or chromium diopside, was discovered in 1988 in Yakutia (Sakha Republic). The discovery of green gemstones in the mountains of Siberia coincided with the collapse of the Soviet Union, and relatively quickly they found their way to the European mineral market and stayed there permanently.

Yakutia is a harsh place to live, but it is extremely rich in natural riches, such as gold, diamonds, as well as amethysts, choroites, turquoise, jade and other colorful gemstones, including pure and green chromium diopside. Siberian mines are closed for half the year due to freezing temperatures and snow-covered roads. Therefore, it would be great to have alternative sources of this mineral, but so far we have not been able to find much chromium diopside of similar quality.

Color of chromium diopside

The green color of chromium diopside is due, as you might guess, to the presence of chromium atoms in its molecular composition. The green color of this variety ranges from the light green of grass to the dark green of a shady forest to almost black.

Many of its well-known and valuable cousins from the gemstone world can be compared to chromium diopside. Light green diopside is very similar to peridot (a variety of olivine), varieties of intense medium green resemble chrome tourmaline and tsavorite, while others have the appearance of emerald.

Sometimes it can happen that chromium diopside turns out to be "too green", and the deep green of the stone falls almost into black. This happens when it is inadequately polished or has particularly large dimensions. Processing requires extreme care and attention to facet the precious stone in such a way that it presents the beautiful green color from its best side.

Properties of "Siberian emerald"

The depth and transparency of chrome diopside resembles the noble brilliance of emerald, but compared to this precious mineral it is more brittle and capricious in processing. Sometimes sellers "forget" to add that the name "Siberian emerald" is only a folk name and does not reflect the class of the stone.

In mineralogical terms, chromium diopside is a variety of diopside containing chromium. Diopside, in turn, is a representative of pyroxenes. Its chemical composition can be described by the formula (Ca,Cr)_MgSi2O6. It has good flakiness, a glassy luster and hardness on the Mohs scale of 5.5 to 6. The fracture is uneven, shell-like. The density of the mineral is 3.27 bis 3.38 g/cm³.

Magical abilities of chromium diopside

Diopsides manifest magical properties not immediately - the stone needs to "get used" to its owner and only then can the owner experience changes for the better in his life. The mineral has a protective energy of a higher degree, so an ornament with chrome diopside:

protects against diseases and charms;
neutralizes bad energy directed at the host;
helps restore spiritual balance.

The green color of the stone brings renewal in life, saves from depression and anger. The effect of chrome diopside depends on the type of ornament in which it is inserted:

bracelet attracts prosperity;
a ring helps climb the career ladder;
a pendant enhances intuition.

The most popular jewelry are earrings with the Yakutian mineral, which help avoid difficult situations and give clarity of thought.

Health benefits of chrome diopside

Green diopsides also have medicinal properties. They physically help with heart and lung problems, strengthen blood circulation and the respiratory system, regulate blood pressure, relieve the body of toxic substances, and help recover from heart attacks and damage caused by smoking or emphysema.

The question often arises as to how the spiritual and health properties of gemstones can be used for spiritual and health purposes. Naturally, wearing jewelry with these minerals is the easiest way for them to influence the human body. Specific colors are associated with specific parts of the body. For example, green chrome diopside is associated with the heart chakra, so a pendant or necklace would be ideal.

As an alternative, you can consider carrying the stone in your purse or pocket throughout the day.

Chromium diopside in astrology

According to astrology, this green mineral is a universal talisman and suits almost all zodiac signs: undecided Pisces adds self-confidence, and stable Libra - new, bright events in life. For most signs, the chrome diopside will find helpful energy, except for the violent, uncontrollable Aries and stubborn Capricorn. Diopsides do not make friends with these signs, and people born under these constellations should not choose the green mineral as a talisman. To be clear: harm from diopside will not happen, but also to wait in vain for help.

In the world of minerals, as in the world of people: each stone has its own reputation and character. It's hard not to fall in love with the capricious and changeable siberite, whose magical glow illuminates scenes from a distant childhood, and looking into the depths of the crystal, you can even see the towers of the Emerald City.

Jewelry with chrome diopside

The wonderful-looking stone comes in many wonderful shades of green. The only thing that may be a bit disappointing about it is its relatively low hardness of only 5-6 on the Mohs scale. For example, jasper - 6.5-7; garnet - 6.5-7.5; agate - 6.5-7; emerald - 7.5-8 and, of course, the hardest diamond - 10.

This is not a problem for earrings, necklaces and pendants, but it is worse for bracelets and rings, which are subject to impact when worn.

Gemstones are assumed to have a hardness of more than 7, so diopside - although beautiful and emerald-like - is actually a rather soft gemstone. Special care should be taken when wearing, cleaning and storing it. Jewelry with this mineral must be removed during physical activity, especially cleaning or gardening.