The mineral diopside belongs to a very unusual and unique gem. In his name, there is an indication of two "faces" of the stone, but in fact there are about five of them.
Among the varieties of diopside, there are both transparent crystals with a blurry coloration, as well as black and dark gray glossy specimens that have the effect of a four-pointed star in their depth. Such a variety of diopsides appealed to jewelers and are widely used in the manufacture of jewelry for all occasions.
Like all gems of natural origin, since ancient times, diopside has been considered a magician and healer, magically affecting the health, life and destiny of a person.
Description of the stone
Each crystal has its own reputation. Diopside, a two-faced mineral, is a compound with hedenbergite. The first forms the outer shell, and the second is located inside. Due to the relationship of the two crystals, a powerful magical shell appears. With the right interaction with the stone, you can influence your life and destiny.
The color palette of the crystal is very diverse. Many shades of green and yellow create an unusual color palette of the raw mineral. Due to the different tones, specimens are valued by collectors. Ornamental stone has unique properties that attract the attention of mineralogists and lithotherapists. Thanks to long-term studies, the physicochemical properties of the stone were revealed, and the experience of people and psychics made it possible to determine the range of problems that diopside jewelry can cope with.
Physico-chemical properties of diopside
Chrome diopside is a green variety of diopside, a silicate from the pyroxene group. The literal translation of the word from Greek is “double appearance”. The prefix chromium indicates the corresponding impurities, which color the mineral in an emerald color. Their number is significant - about 2%.
Outwardly, the mineral looks like an emerald: the same grassy color. But it has other properties - less hardness and a lower degree of refraction.
Formula: CaMg(Si2O6)
Mohs hardness: 5,5 - 6
Refractive index: 1,663 - 1,728
Density: 3,25 - 3,55 g/cm3
Luster: Glass
Colour: Green, brown, yellowish
Brittleness: Brittle
Reaction with acids: Reacts with hydrofluoric acid
Chrome diopside is pleochroic. Depending on the angle of view, the mineral has an emerald, yellow or blue hue. Sometimes there are stones with the effect of a cat's eye. Because of the properties of the mineral, cutters do not like it: it is soft, brittle, and even has to adapt to color changes. Because of this, he is capricious in leaving. You should not wear it constantly - it will quickly scratch and chip.
History of origin
Mineralogists consider diopside to be a rock-forming crystal. It is sometimes referred to as malacolite (meaning soft). It used to be called alalite. The stone got its name from the word Ala - a river in Italy, near which its first samples were found.
In Russia, a mineral was discovered in the Republic of Sakha. Its chemical and physical properties were studied by the geologist A. M. Korchagin. He proved the value of the two-faced mineral.
However, before the official search for the crystal, there were also popular beliefs, which were made up of ordinary people who accidentally stumbled upon diopside. The unusual shape and play of green color they associated with a serpent or dragon. It was believed that the stone contained the power of a sleeping multi-headed monster. If a drop of blood falls on the surface of the mineral, the spirit will awaken and endow the owner with special qualities. Thanks to the help of a mystical being, you can improve your life and influence the future.
Where and how is the stone mined
In nature, diopsite occurs in the form of continuous granular and columnar aggregates or in the form of druses. There are mineral deposits on almost all continents. They are little developed, so they are rich in crystals of different colors and shapes. Sometimes diamond deposits are located with deposits of diopside.
- Black specimens are mined in India.
- In the USA they are yellow.
- In Australia, they are yellow-green.
- In Sri Lanka - red-brown.
- Canada - dark green.
- In Italy - lilac and pale blue.
- In Russia - samples of purple and emerald shades.
- In Finland, diopside is mined of the highest gem quality. The size of the stones reaches 6-8 centimeters.
The extraction of the two-faced mineral is carried out in specially equipped mines. They are pulled out with the help of modern technology, the vaults are strengthened. Miners crush rock with jackhammers. It is viewed and diopsides are selected.
Types of diopside
The most common form of diopside is a stone with iron in its composition. If chromium is present as an impurity, the stone becomes more saturated, and the material without impurities is colorless, but is rare in nature.
Since diopside has a fibrous structure, the stone has such a property as pleochroism. If the specimen is brightly colored, then dichroism is not very pronounced. Due to the wide variety of shades, gemologists have decided to classify diopside and break it into subgroups:
- Black Star or "Black Star". This mineral is endowed with the effect of asterism. This means that when direct sunlight hits the surface of the stone, we can observe the stellar effect and see the image of a star with 4 rays. It is thanks to this unusual characteristic that this type of diopside got its name.
- Chrome diopside or Siberian emerald. This stone has an original and rather bright natural color. The unusual emerald green color is provided due to the presence of a special component in the composition of the mineral - chromium oxide.
- Lavrovit. The composition of this type of diopside differs from all others in the presence of vanadium. Vanadium is a chemical element due to which lavrovite is endowed with an unusual apple-green color.
- Salit. This diopside is colored yellow-green.
- Anthochroite. The manganese present in the composition of antochroite provides a pinkish color of the mineral. Such a delicate shade will appeal to young girls.
- Shefferit. Despite the fact that the coloring element in the diopside of this type, as in the previous one, is potassium permanganate, it has a completely different color. So, shefferite is a diopside of red and brown tones.
- Jeffersonite. This mineral is suitable for adults and status women. The shade of the stone varies from green-brown to almost black.
- Violan. This diopside can be dyed in a wide variety of shades of blue and purple. This variation is due to the presence of manganese and ferrum in the composition - their combination in various volumes provides a wide range of original shades.
- "Cat's Eye". The effect of the "cat's eye" is characteristic of such minerals that have specific tubular inclusions in their composition.
- Malacoite - white or pale green gems, in some cases exhibiting fluorescent properties.
- Lavroite - gems of shades of young grass and ripe green apple, resulting from the impurities of vanadium and chromium.
- Baikalit - an interesting blue variety, mined on Baikal, green specimens are less common.
The healing properties of the mineral diopside
Chrome diopside has been used as a decoration for about 50 years, which means that the magical and healing properties have not yet been fully studied and are in theory.
The chrome diopside stone is notable for its bright green color, which means that it can be used to treat the nervous system. To do this, you need to look at the mineral for 10-15 minutes, admiring the change of shades and the play of highlights. At the same time, it is important to clear your head of all thoughts and get rid of problems. In the field of vision and concentration there should be only a stone, and in thoughts only the greenery of chromium diopside, reminiscent of spring fields and groves under the warm sun and caressing wind. You can imagine any picture: even alpine meadows, even Russian birches. The main thing is to focus on this, and not on problems.
Such exercises are good for the eyes. After a hard day spent at the computer or painstaking work, it is good to relax your eyesight, restore its sharpness.
Regular calming meditations with a stone will relieve many diseases, the cause of which lies in nervous tension. So the chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, anxiety will go away, the heart rhythm will be restored, and the pressure will decrease.
A balanced, calm person argues less, does not go into conflict, resolves issues reasonably and judiciously, guided by logic, and not by emotions. He also easily puts up with the imperfection of the world and other people. All this will relieve conflicts in the family, advance the career ladder, attract good useful friends.
The magical properties of diopside
With magical properties, the situation is the same as with healing ones - they are almost not studied. When describing its capabilities, most often they start from color and personal experience.
Green is a combination of yellow and blue, optimism and tranquility. The result is complete harmony. So the mineral carries such virtues: love, humility and compassion. It is good to use it for spiritual growth. Under the influence of the mineral, a person calms down, stops fussing and rushing, begins to notice the beauty of life, understanding its value and charm. This is the talisman of people who have reached an emotional impasse. It must be worn by those who have ceased to love life, have lost the meaning of existence. Chromdiopside is a fighter against depression and depression. The owner of chrome diopside will treat even great shocks and losses philosophically, without falling into a panic or stupor.
Chrome diopside stone is a force of nature, a symbol of renewal, youth and continuation of life. It is worn by young girls looking for love. The mineral makes them beautiful and attractive, which attracts fans. It remains to choose a worthy one. The talisman will also help in choosing, endowing its owner with intuition and foresight. For family, he will become the keeper of feelings. The talisman will not allow you to get bogged down in everyday life and look at each other only as husband and wife. Spouses, even after decades of marriage, will continue to love each other as passionately and passionately in their youth, but with a great deal of respect, wisdom and respect for their beloved. As a stone of emotional stability, chromium diopside will not allow family scandals to flare up, it will protect you from betrayal and lies.
Green is associated with money. So is chromium diopside. With its bright greenery, it activates financial luck. At the same time, he works on the consciousness and mind of the owner. Chrome diopside increases intelligence, makes the owner cunning, resourceful, insightful. Any tasks with him will be solved with lightning speed. The mineral activates all the qualities necessary for an enterprising person. In the company of luck, this will help to get rich. But for this we must not sit and wait, but work. The stone only promotes growth and removes obstacles.
The action of the stone has some side effects. Sluggish and lack of initiative, he will make absolutely lazy. They will turn into a sleepy continuation of the sofa. For spineless people without their own opinion, the stone is also not suitable. They can completely dissolve in others, completely losing themselves as a person.
Green stones are the focus of goodness. Chrome diopside is no exception. He will become a true guard against any manifestation of evil: witchcraft, evil eye, corruption, envy. The stone will drive away those who want to harm. He will also cleanse the soul of the owner himself from any evil or unholy thoughts.
Astrologers say that the stone is not compatible with the zodiac signs Aries and Capricorn. They will become stubborn with him to the point of illogicality. These signs of the zodiac will harm themselves only to prove them wrong to those around them.
It is most favorable for the signs of the zodiac Taurus, Libra, Pisces. The amulet will bring love, sensuality into their lives, add confidence in the future and in themselves. Even choosing a stone for the signs of the zodiac, one must listen to intuition. Only when the connection between the stone and the person is strong by nature, will the full potential be revealed and it will be possible to receive support and protection to the fullest.
The Yakut emerald is little known in the world. It is not even listed in the American Michelsen Gemstone Index. However, in Russia, few have heard of him. It is difficult for a stone to take its place in the market, especially if there is already a green spinel, emerald, demantoid and chrysolite. To get to know about it, marketers need to work hard. But nobody does it. Yakutia already has something to trade, but there were no other willing ones. Meanwhile, the stone comes from beautiful places.
The author of the book "Gems of Yakutia" Gadiyatov says that the deposit of chromium diopside is amazing. Everything is green around: roads, dump slopes, banks are large and small fragments of stone. After the rain, the earth sparkles and shimmers like a dew-strewn field. "Chrome diopside ... radiates warmth and warms the soul," Gadiyatov concludes the story.
Diopside Jewelry
Most often, diopside is combined with silver, however, gold can be used in the creation of some jewelry with a stone.
- Beads made of thin plates of alalite look unusual. Such a decoration will add a touch of color to a lady's casual or formal outfit. An unusual combination of amber-green crystals and beads will distinguish the girl from colleagues and acquaintances.
- Diopside pendants make a great gift for any occasion. Jewelry will not be expensive, while the appearance will charm the recipient.
- A set of earrings and a ring will perfectly complement your evening outfit. Thanks to dark green stones, the girl's appearance will become more attractive, a touch of elegance will appear.
- The graceful hand of the girl will be decorated with rings with small compositions of crystals. Due to the malleability of the material, stones of any shape can be created. Flowers, graceful leaves, geometric shapes - everything depends on the imagination and skill of the jeweler.
Diopside cost
Stones are classified as ornamental material, so most buyers can afford them. But some specimens are especially valuable for their structure and transparency, and in combination with a faceted cut, the cost of a mineral can rise to $30 per carat or more.
The cost of a faceted stone is on average 15-20 dollars. Even cheaper, you can buy raw materials in the form of uncut stones, but you will have to carry it to the jeweler and pay extra for the services of the master. Sometimes stones are cut on their own, since the mineral cannot be called large, and working with it is quite simple.
Diopside is also kept in private collections of jewelers. The stone can be found in museums, the size of such specimens is very large, up to one meter long. But most often the weight of the stone in the collections does not exceed 20 carats.
Products and decorations made of diopside - price
Diopside and products from it cannot be called too expensive or cheap pleasure. The cost of a stone varies and depends on its type, processing method, place of extraction, rarity and quality.
Individual copies can be purchased at different prices, for example:
- "Black Star" in the form of a cabochon with an asterism effect - $ 7-10 per carat.
- Yellow stone with the effect of a cat's eye - $ 5-6 per carat.
- Intense green chrome diopside, step-cut - $10-25 per carat.
- A flat gray-blue violin weighing about 3 grams - for $ 7.
The cost of jewelry with diopside also includes the price of the frame and the complexity of the product design:
- A silver ring with a black stone will cost $40-90 (depending on the size of the insert), and an author's silver maxi ring with three black cabochons will cost $188.
- Silver earrings with a "black star" - $ 110-160, and author's silver and gold in the form of cats with chrome diapsid - $ 462.
- Chrome diopside crumb strung on a thread (40 cm) - $ 11.
- Men's dark diopside cat-eye effect bracelet with silver clasp - $52.
- A silver ring with a blue violan is $30, and a set with earrings is $63.
- Gold stud earrings with small chrome diopsides - $155.
How to distinguish the original from forgery
Diopsides are practically not counterfeited, as it is economically unprofitable. Previously, they themselves were used as an imitation of emeralds. This practice is not common today. However, on the market you can find synthetic analogues of stone, which are not inferior to natural specimens in beauty, quality and cost. Considering a gem under a magnifying glass will help determine them.
Synthetics will be perfect in every way - both in shape, in structure, and in color. In natural stone there will always be some defects.
Buying artificial diopside is only unprofitable when the buyer expects to receive magical support or stone treatment. Those who care about aesthetics will only benefit by acquiring a synthetic gem.
Despite the relatively low cost, diopside is counterfeited. Fraudsters pass off hornblende or painted glass as a stone. Sometimes sellers write the name "quartz-diopside", although such a mineral does not exist in nature. The stone is an ordinary piece of glass that sells for 5 times as much.
How to care for diopside
When caring for diopside, you need to remember that with regular use of household chemicals, the shine of the crystal may fade. It is better to refuse the use of substances, which include aggressive components. They can spoil the appearance and cut, as the crystal is naturally soft.
Once every 5-6 weeks, you need to clean the crystal from fine dirt and dust with running water, and then wipe it with a soft cloth.
Diopside and the signs of the zodiac
One of the features of diopside is its effect on a person, depending on the sign of the Zodiac. Everyone who wears crystal jewelry notices its positive impact on life and destiny.
- Aries will become more punctual. Such changes will positively affect the professional activities of the owner.
- Taurus under the influence of this stone will be able to make more practical decisions. When choosing a crystal, it will indicate the path that will turn out to be the most profitable in the future.
- Gemini will get a chance to prove themselves. The magical properties of the gem will attract various events into the life of the owner. With active participation and interest, a person will have the opportunity to show others what he is capable of.
- Cancers will be able to establish relationships with loved ones and acquaintances. Diopside will endow the owner with such qualities as understanding, sympathy and support. Empathy will help you connect with others.
- Lions wearing a diopside pendant around their neck will be able to gain popularity without much effort. Unexpectedly, others will notice the positive characteristics of a person, thanks to which he will be able to bathe in the rays of glory.
- Virgos who turn to green crystals for help will notice that their career has gone in a year.
- The talisman will give Libra an understanding of which of the acquaintances is really interested in communication, and for whom friendship does not matter.
- Scorpions will be able to cope with feelings and emotions if they regularly wear an amulet with alalite.
- Sagittarians are lucky in love. The magical properties of the crystal will positively affect the relationship of the owner with the other half.
- The activities of Capricorns will receive approval from the surrounding people. Thanks to the right decisions that a person will make under the influence of a gem, the owner will earn respect. His status in society will rise.
- Thanks to diopside, the soft nature of Aquarius will become more strict.
- Pisces will be able to develop intuition, more clearly guess the course of events.
Interesting Diopside Facts
In large mineralogical museums, one can find diopsides, the mass of which is estimated at tens of carats. There are also specimens longer than one meter.
When exposed to ultraviolet light, a blue, yellow or brown glow can be seen. However, not all minerals exhibit such luminescence. This property is manifested only in those gems that are mined at great depths.
Diopside is an unusual mineral, because each crystal has its own color characteristics and chemical and physical properties. Despite all the research of mineralogists, many aspects remain unexplored. Perhaps diopside has yet to surprise mankind.
source 1, source 2, source 3
