Chrome diopside is a natural deep green mineral, sometimes called Siberian emerald. Black star diopside is a separate black stone with a faint star.
Pyroxene (silicate)
Diopside
Diópsido
- Palette
- Green Black
- Mined in
- Russia, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, India, United States
- Hardness
- Mohs 5.5–6.5 ?
- See-through
- transparent
- Known since
- 1800
- Named for
- Greek for twice and face, for its two prism orientations
- Also sold as
- chrome diopside, Siberian emerald, black star diopside
- Intention
- Protection Love
- Looking for
- Protection Relationships
- Water
- Keep it dry; wipe with a soft cloth
- Dye or finish
- Chrome diopside is generally sold as natural, with no known heating or dye, though one seller notes some pieces may be dyed. The deep green is natural, from chromium.
Not in our pieces now
TWO FACES
Diopside's name comes from Greek words meaning twice and face, for the two ways its prism can be oriented.
ANDRADITE
The mineral andradite is named for José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva, the Brazilian naturalist who described diopside around 1800.
1,391 °C
Diopside melts at 1,391 degrees Celsius.
What it is
Chrome diopside is a deep, rich forest green with a glassy shine, colored by a trace of chromium. Black star diopside is a different look: an opaque black stone that shows a faint four-ray star when cut as a dome.
What gives it its color
The rich green of chrome diopside comes from a trace of chromium, while iron pushes ordinary diopside toward yellowish or brownish green.
Where it comes from
Most chrome diopside comes from the Inagli deposit in Yakutia, Russia, with Pakistan's Hunza Valley second; star (black) diopside comes almost entirely from Tamil Nadu, India.
In history
Diopside was described about 1800 by the Brazilian naturalist José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva, the same man credited with discovering spodumene in Sweden in 1800. The vivid green chrome diopside later became known as the 'Siberian emerald' in the gem trade.
What's said about it
In crystal lore today, black star diopside is worn for protection during intuitive work. It is also set at the center of a crystal grid.
Older gem lore lists diopside among stones for friendship. It is usually worn as a pendant or kept close in a pocket.
How people wear or keep it: As a pendant, in a pocket, or at the center of a grid.
In crystal practice
In the crystal tradition, diopside is paired with the heart chakra, so practitioners rest it there during meditation or lie down with it in place for a few quiet minutes. Day to day, the same tradition suggests keeping it close: as a pendant, in a pocket, at the center of a grid. People reach for it when they want protection, relationships, and many set an intention when they put it on. Most practitioners cleanse a new stone first (running water only if the stone can take it, otherwise smoke or moonlight) and set it aside now and then to rest.
These are beliefs people have held and still hold about the stone, reported as such. Nothing here is a promise or a medical claim. We sell stones as jewelry, not for these effects.
Associations
The chakra and star sign this stone is usually matched with. These are popular traditions, not facts about the stone.
ChakraHeart
ZodiacLibra, Virgo
ElementEarth
Also calledchrome diopside, Siberian emerald, black star diopside
Care
- Fairly soft and with two directions where it can split: avoid knocks, especially on rings and bracelets.
- Wipe with a soft damp cloth and dry; do not use an ultrasonic cleaner.
- Keep it away from harder stones in a pouch, since it scratches easily.
- Remove before sports or heavy work.
How to tell what you have
- Chrome diopside is a rich forest green and much softer than emerald (about 5.5-6.5), so it scratches and chips more easily. Emerald, green glass and green garnet are the usual look-alikes; glass shows round bubbles and feels warmer.
What sets the price
Price follows how bright and rich the green is (diopside is usually dark, so bright stones are most wanted), how clean it is and how well it is cut, and size; large clean stones are scarce.
Questions people ask at our table
What is chrome diopside?
A green pyroxene mineral whose color comes from chromium. It is natural and needs no dye.
Is it emerald?
No. It is sometimes nicknamed Siberian emerald, but it is a softer, different mineral at roughly 6 on the Mohs scale.
What is black star diopside?
A black, opaque diopside cut as a dome that shows a faint star of light. It looks nothing like the green gem.
Where does it come from?
Russia, Canada, South Africa and Brazil, with some from the western United States. Black star material is sold from India.
How do I look after it?
Handle gently, keep it dry and avoid knocks or an ultrasonic cleaner.
Not in our pieces right now
Stones we do carry that are close to it are listed under related stones.
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